This report is taken from the official Stranraer FC site (permission has been granted). Please bookmark this site for future reference.

The day of reckoning had finally arrived. Stranraer FC Vs Albion Rovers, a game which every fan had been looking forward to. Provided Stranraer did not get beat today, the Bell’s League Division 3 trophy would be on it’s way to Stair Park. The ground was bouncing, an estimated crowd of 1,250 turned up armed with both and expectation…. And inflatable lilo’s!

Referee Cammy Melville got proceedings under way and The Blues set straight to their task. The formation was clear and the boys, sporting their new Nike Shirts went straight at an Albion Rovers side bereft of three of their better players. The first real chance went Stranraer’s way, when on 5 minutes Allan Jenkins received the ball on the edge of the right hand side of the 18 yard box, took the ball across to the left and flicked the ball into Davey Graham, the wee man’s shot hit the side netting. Two minutes late, Rovers got their first chance when John Bradford’s shot from just inside the box was charged down, Ricky Patrick hit a tidy half volley goalward, but Andy McCondachie took it well.

On 10 minutes, Stranraer got the break they were looking for and with some style too. Kevin Finlayson received the ball 30 yards out and cut inside ex-Stranraer favourite David Farrell hi then struck the sweetest shot with the outside of his right foot that cruised into the top right hand corner. The crowd went wild with delight as ‘Savoy’ was mobbed by his jubilant teammates. 1-0 Stranraer!

By now Stranraer had control of the game and were putting pressure on Rovers at every opportunity. Rovers held their shape well but maybe it was the lack of experience in their team or just the overwhelming will of the Stranraer Players, Dugout and fans, which was helping. It was neat intricate play that gave the blues their next chance when Michael Moore and Lee Sharp combined to give Graham another chance just on the edge of the box, his shot was blocked out for a corner.

On 29 minutes who else but Michael Moore extended the Blues lead when he took the ball in on the right side of the box, took another couple of touches and passed the ball into the left hand corner for 2-0 Blues, and equalling the clubs goalscoring record too!

The game continued apace, and on the stroke of half-time Davey Graham finally got the breakthrough his efforts had deserved when he received the ball midway in the Rovers half and tackled 3 of the defence and rounded the keeper to send the crowd into dreamland. 3-0 up at half-time, the blues had read the script!

The second half got under way, the first 20 minutes were quite quiet in comparison to the first half, but then things started to liven up. Chris Silvestro tested McCondachie with a daisy cutter, which was suitably dealt with. Stranraer then made a substitution, Dave Turnbull came on for Michael Moore, whom looked as if he had take a wee knock but he got a huge reception. A minute later Lee Sharp took a free kick from the right hand corner, Murray Henderson was unlucky, he headed goalwards but the shot rebounded out, but only as far as Davey Graham who roofed it to make it 4-0 and Blues out of sight! The Stair Park roof was in danger of coming off at this point, the celebrations were superb, again beach balls, rings and even a swimming pool had made an appearance on the pitch.

Instructions went out from the dugout to stay calm and hold the shape, and Stranraer duly obliged. Albion Rovers switched Mark McKenzie for Ricky Patrick at this point. Further chances ensued for Stranraer, Davie Turnbull came close, as did Davey Graham who nearly claimed a hat-trick, but he fired a shot over. Murray Henderson hit the bar as did Allan Jenkins on 85 minutes. More substitutions followed, Kerr came on for Rovers in place of Farrell and for The Blues, Brian Crawford and Tam McAllister came on for Stevie Aitken and Davey Graham who both got great applause.

There was little, if any overtime to be played and referee Cammy Melville sent Stir Park into scenes of Jubilation by blowing for full-time. The players and coaching staff embraced each other and were clearly as delighted as the fans were. Young neds appeared from everywhere across the pitch but who cares, the scenes of celebration matched those of such distinguished management reigns such as Sanny McAnnespie and Campbell Money

Stranraer are crowned Third Division Champions

The players saluted the crowd and swiftly went into the stand. The club quickly brought out a presentation table and of course, the customary Bell’s celebration board to great applause. As a great touch, Jim Bark announced the arrival of each of the Stranraer FC squad whom got their own round of applause, when announced they came out to a guard of honour of the younger fans and press, then made their way behind the board. After the squad and coaching staff had received their applause, Club Captain and Team Captain’s Dexi Wingate and Allan Jenkins were last out to a tremendous roar. They made their way over to the presentation stand where the Division Three trophy and the officials from Bell’s were waiting for them, they were handed the trophy and the moment of triumph had arrived when they hoisted the trophy high and handsome to a tremendous roar. The squad, by now adorned in Division Three winners tee-shirts were bouncing up and down chanting champione’ in Unison with the Main Stand and also reminded everyone where they were off to celebrate with a chorus of “Viva Espania” – Quality!

There were many great things about today, anyone there will be familiar with all of them, was great to see a big crowd, lets hope we see them again in division two! Was also great to see a large proportion of younger fans at Stair Park too, serves as a gentle reminder t them that they don’t have to support a Glasgow based super-club to see a successful club who can play a bit and win trophies! Speaking of which, the club now have another Championship Trophy to add in and very well deserved too!.

Man of the Match- The whole team.

Overall Summary- Fantastic. See you in the Second Divsion next season.

Attendance: 1250