SPFL awards: Albion Rovers | Berwick

A good week for Albion Rovers, who could count themselves unlucky to face a replay with Rangers. Picture: SNS

The last week has involved Rovers’ boss James Ward being unfaithful to an old friend and standing up Michael Buble so he deserved a mention before his side even got a draw at Ibrox.

Dundee United’s rip-roaring success at Inverness sees the Tannadice side share an award with the Coatbridge men with the Highlanders being the recipient of the Bad Week Award.

Positive awards are also heading to Arbroath, Perth, Dumfries, Ayr, Berwick and Clyde.

Good week for – James Ward (Albion Rovers)

Ward conducted himself well in the build up to his side’s William Hill Scottish Cup tie with Rangers. He was accessible to the media and respectful over what his side could achieve however he admitted on Friday to our Craig P Stewart: “You are normally the only reporter that I speak to as you are the only one that usually calls. I feel I have been unfaithful this week.”

He has been forgiven however whether the soon to be Mrs Ward is as forgiving as yesterday’s game meant that Ward missed out on seeing Buble in concert has still to be discovered.

The former Alloa assistant manager was in the football wilderness for a couple of years after he was dismissed along with Allan Maitland however he took that knock and several rejections on the back of it on the chin.

He is rebuilding his career well.

Bad week for – Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Dreams of a Cup double ended in spectacular style as Dundee United won 5-0 at the Tulloch Caledonian Stadium. It was Inverness’ second 5-0 defeat in a row and not the ideal preparation for next Sunday’s Scottish League Cup Final against Aberdeen especially as they had Greg Tansey and Marley Watkins sent off.

They will rally for their first ever national Final however this week has been a bad week.

Teams of the week – Dundee United and Albion Rovers

One team is already through to a William Hill Scottish Cup Final and one team still has a chance to get through where ironically they could face each other.

United got there with a 5-0 away success away from home and the result not only gained revenge for defeat in the Scottish League Cup quarter-finals it also made it five wins in a row for Jackie McNamara’s side.

Albion on the other hand came with a leaping challenge between a makeshift striker and a goalkeeper of causing one of the greatest ever Cup shocks.

If that had won it they would probably have secured this award on their own.

Manager of the week – Paul Sheerin (Arbroath)

It is no secret that Sheerin was skating on thin ice at Gayfield recently as his side slumped to the foot of the League 1 table. The Red Lichties player/ manager could however turn things around as he followed up last Saturday’s win over Brechin with a 2-1 comeback success over East Fife at the weekend.

The only manager to win a trophy for Arbroath could be off the bottom by this time next week and that could put him back on a more solid footing with his board.

Scottish Cup/ Premiership Player of the week – Michael Dunlop (Albion Rovers)

Defender Dunlop’s torso probably looked like a bad paint-ball player after yesterday’s game at Rangers. The journeyman centre back got in the way of so many shots, passes and crosses that he is probably riddled with bruises today.

Dunlop is more than deserving of a Player of the Week award even against other full time candidates especially as he looks after his wee brother Ross when he is doing it.

Scottish Cup/ Premiership Goal of the week – Nigel Hasselbaink (St Johnstone)

Raith Rovers and St Johnstone ended one apiece at half-time and the lower league side Kirkcaldy had the upper hand at the start of the second half until Hasselbaink opted to head for goal.

Hasselbaink headed and headed for goal and left three defenders trailing before toe poking home to put his side ahead.

Championship Player of the week – Scott Bain (Alloa)

Alloa goalkeeper Bain may have lost two goals at the weekend but he ensured that his side picked up a point at Cowdenbeath. Bain made a number of fine stops to ensure that the Blue Brazil never got ahead in the game and the draw keeps the Recreation Park side 5 points clear of the Fifers in the race to avoid play-off trouble.

Bain for full time football at Dundee in the summer - do not be too surprised.

Championship Goal of the week – Gavin Reilly (Queen of the South)

Reilly ensured his side kept their play-off push going by grabbing the equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Hamilton. Kevin Holt scampered down the left wing before crossing to the far post where Reilly had timed his run to perfection and he took a touch before shooting home.

League 1 Player of the week – Michael Moffat (Ayr United)

Talk about coming back with a bang. Moffat’s four game ban for breaching betting rules was up and the Honest Men welcomed him back after four straight defeats and only two goals.

Eight minutes in Moffat scored a penalty and his return helped inspire the Somerset side to a rousing 5-0 win over Stranraer with the much missed front man scoring a second goal for good measure.

Ayr’s promotion campaign came back with Moffat.

League 1 Goal of the week – Michael Moffat (Ayr United)

The ‘Moff was on Fire’ by the time his side were three up against the Blues and he made it four with a fine goal. Moffat darted past two Stranraer defenders before sending a fierce drive home from the edge of the box.

League 2 Player of the week – Darren Lavery (Berwick Rangers)

Lavery opened the scoring early against with Montrose with a sweet drive from the edge of the box to help Berwick to a 5-0.

He may not have got back onto the score-sheet however he was a constant thorn in the visiting side’s flesh.

League 2 Goal of the week – Michael Daly (Clyde)

Former Queen’s Park striker Michael Daly timed his run to the front post to perfection to slide the ball home to put Clyde 3-0 up against the Spiders. The Award should be shared with Scott Ferguson and Stefan McCluskey as their build up play was intricate and deserved the finish that Daly applied.

SPFL awards: Albion Rovers | Berwick | Dundee Utd