Moore targets three points at home

Sep 26 2008 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Friday

ALLAN Moore believes his side can keep their good run going when they face second placed Peterhead at Forthbank tomorrow (Saturday).

The Binos drew 1-1 at Raith Rovers last weekend after conceding a last-minute penalty, but are now four matches undefeated and are desperate to extend that sequence against a Peterhead outfit who are five points above Stirling in the table.

Neale Coopers men thrashed Stranraer 4-0 at Balmoor on Saturday and have also picked up seven points out of nine on the road, leaving them just a point adrift of leaders Ayr and one ahead of Brechin and Raith in a tight top four.

Albion need to make inroads on that quartet if they are to challenge for a play-off berth but they have picked up after a poor start and are unbeaten on home turf after draws against East Fife and Ayr United and a 3-2 victory against Alloa.

Moore said: Peterhead are a good team and it will be a hard game but this is the sort of fixture we have to win if we want to get up the table.

We managed to win these games when we got promoted a couple of years ago and need to do it again.

I would have been happy with a point before the Raith game but it was a very disappointing way to lose two points.

It was never a penalty but the game should have been buried before that when we had the penalty of our own. Ian Harty has had his chance and John ONeill will take the next one we get.

Of the 20 league meetings between Albion and Peterhead, the Binos are 9-8 ahead, with three draws so far. The Blue Toon took the honours 2-1 at Balmoor in the most recent clash in April 2007 but Albion won the other three fixtures in 2006/07, albeit with the aid of some late goals.

Moore, who takes his side to Hampden to play Queens Park next weekend, could make changes for tomorrows match and stressed that different opponents may see him alter his selection accordingly.

He said: John ONeill and Andy Graham didnt train on Tuesday but I would hope they are okay for Saturday.

I think Andy would need to have a broken leg to keep him out of the team.

He has been struggling after the Raith game but we think his hip is just bruised.

We will give him every chance. Even if he doesnt manage to train on Thursday I want him in the team because he has been exceptional this season.

He is one of the best right-backs in the division and his attitude is first class.

But Moore may shuffle his pack, with Martin Grehan available again.

The ex-Motherwell man had been used wide on the left in the absence of Stewart Devine but that role was filled by former St Mirren midfielder Mark Docherty at Starks Park.

After bringing in Craig Molloy on loan from St Mirren there wont be any more new faces in the squad at least until after Christmas, he said.

It took us a while to get going but Im happier with the way we are playing at the moment.

Ive got a good squad of players now and may change things depending on the opposition. Liam Corr wasnt happy at being left out last week but he came on and did well. We also might consider giving Martin Grehan another chance up front because he gives us a physical presence that we dont really have at the moment.

Grehan featured in a friendly match against Auchinleck Talbot at Forthbank on Tuesday night, a game that ended 1-1. Youth team player John Boyle netted for the Binos, who included Scott Christie, Chris Hamilton, Sean Roycroft, Corr, Paul Murphy and Steven Waddell.

Moore added: It was a good work-out and it was nice to see Sean Roycroft coming through another match. He is starting to look a bit more like his old self and some of the players from the U19 team also impressed me. It was a pity that Kevin Ross couldnt make it because of work commitments because he needs matches as well.