Disappointing Reds rue missed chances

Aug 20 2008

IT IS a distance of some 115 miles from Stirling to Stranraer. Fine if you win but it is miserable journey home if you don’t.

This was a depressing result on a wet and windy afternoon and leaves Albion joint bottom of the embryonic Second Division table along with Alloa and East Fife going into Saturday’s Forthbank contest with league leaders Ayr United.

There were only four minutes left when Gregory Tade headed a Craig Frizzell cross high past Myles Hogarth to give Derek Ferguson’s men their first win of 2008-09 and consign Stirling to an eighth successive away defeat in the SFL.

Not since a freezing February day at Broadwood have the Binos tasted success on the road and their next away match is at graveyard Gayfield at the end of the month. The supporters are planning a beach party theme for that one but no-one was in the mood for merriment at the conclusion of this encounter.

For all that Albion’s performance was their poorest of the season so far, they would still have left Stair Park with at least a point had it not been for some careless finishing.

Whether they would have deserved anything from the match is a moot point but John O’Neill squandered a glorious chance midway through the first half when he fired wide with the goal at his mercy after Martin Grehan’s shot had been deflected into his path.

Of the four goals Stirling have scored this season, three have come from corners and the other wasn’t over the line. Their inability to profit from open play, despite carving out several opportunities, is increasingly a worry.

Just before Stranraer took the lead, David McKenna should have fired the Binos in front but, on the ground where he last found the net way back in November, the ex-St Mirren man could only shoot weakly at Scott Black having done the hard work by turning a defender.

Black also made a vital stop to deny Paul Murphy before the break and his goal was almost breached in the dying minutes but Nathan Taggart drilled the ball too hard as Ian Harty waited for a tap-in then Andy Graham’s header skidded inches wide.

Stirling coasted a Scottish Cup clash 6-0 on their last sortie to the south west but this is a new team and one that is struggling to find its feet.

Their case wasn’t helped by the denial of a certain penalty two minutes short of half-time when Graham was clearly held back by James Creaney. Referee Eddie Smith – at the centre of a storm for awarding Celtic a soft spot-kick in their SPL opener against St Mirren the previous week – ruled that there was no infringement.

Graham still got his shot away and ought to have scored but a penalty and a red card for Creaney should have been the outcome. However, given Albion’s lacklustre display overall, there won’t be too much focus on refereeing decisions.

Stirling were often disjointed and had an early escape when Hogarth pulled off of a wonderful save – from team-mate Ross Forsyth. Ex-Elgin and Rangers frontman Frizzell looked a threat and the Binos conceded too many free-kicks in dangerous areas.

Kevin Nicol passed up a good chance for the hosts when he headed over and there was another let-off when Hogarth couldn’t hold the greasy ball and Forsyth made a miraculous goal-line clearance.

Hogarth didn’t do much else wrong and made a couple of impressive saves before being beaten four minutes from time when former Forfar winger Tade was unmarked at the back post to crash a header into the net.

Stirling poured forward in search of an equaliser. They came close to finding it but a goal remained elusive. This was a frustrating day for the fans but Albion have previously prospered under Allan Moore despite slow starts and there is time to right the wrongs.

Having shipped 14 goals in four league and cup games prior to Saturday this shut-out was a tonic for a Stranraer team who were only promoted due to the demise of Gretna, having lost to Arbroath in the play-offs.

In contrast, the Binos were left feeling like Stranraer mascot Scooby – blue.

Stranraer: Black, Kane, Creaney (Noble 63), Dobbins, White, Nicol, Gibson, McBride, Frizzell (Mullen 90), McConalogue (Mitchell 73), Tade. Subs not used: Osborne, Budinauckas.

Albion: Hogarth, Graham, Lowing, Lawrie, Forsyth, O’Neill, Corr (Devine 58), Murphy (Fagan 61), Harty, Grehan (McKenna 46), Taggart. Subs not used: Waddell, Christie.

Referee: Eddie Smith