Binos gunning for points at Hampden

Oct 1 2008 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Wednesday

STIRLING Albion complete the first quarter of their Division Two campaign when they travel to Hampden to play Queen’s Park on Saturday.

Allan Moore’s men head for Glasgow on the back of a five-match unbeaten run but too many draws mean they lie sixth in the table, two points short of the play-offs and six adrift of leaders Brechin, who visit Forthbank on October 18, writes David Ogilvie.

There are no games on the weekend of October 11 because of Scotland’s World Cup qualifier against Norway and the Binos are aiming to end the first quarter on a high at the National Stadium following Saturday’s frustrating 0-0 draw with second-placed Peterhead.

Albion had the better of the game against the Blue Toon but David McKenna and Martin Grehan saw efforts ruled out as Neale Cooper’s men held on for a draw.

Queen’s Park are just a point behind Stirling after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Alloa and have lost just one of their four home games to date, while Albion’s only away success was 2-1 at Arbroath at the end of August.

Albion haven’t played the Spiders at Hampden since a Third Division match in February 2004, which was won 4-1 thanks to goals from David O’Brien, Colin McKinnon, Scott McLean (penalty) and Derek Lyle.

The most recent meeting between the sides was a League Cup clash in August 2004, which Stirling won 3-2 at Forthbank. The Binos are also unbeaten at the National Stadium in seven visits since a terrible 3-0 defeat there under Ray Stewart in October 2000.

Challenge

Albion coach Roddy Grant believes the squad have what it takes to mount a serious promotion challenge but admits they need to be more ruthless in front of goal.

Stirling have four recognised strikers on their books – Ian Harty, Grehan, McKenna and Steven Waddell – but they have only managed three league goals between them.

Harty has claimed two, one of which was a penalty, while McKenna was on target at Arbroath but has failed to add to his tally. Grehan has often been used in a wide role while Waddell has only appeared as a substitute so far.

Grant, a prolific striker during his career, notably with St Johnstone, said: “I would love to have been playing on Saturday when you saw some of the balls that we were putting into the box. It’s just disappointing that we couldn’t get anyone on the end of them – at times the players need to do a bit more to get in front of defenders.

“Maybe it was just one of those days as we have been scoring plenty of goals this season and we had two ruled out against Peterhead. I agree with the second one as I think it was a push in the back by Martin Grehan. I was not in the greatest position to call the first one when David McKenna scored, but the linesman has done his job in flagging for offside.

“We go to Queen’s Park on Saturday and that will be us having played everyone in the league. I think we are as good as anyone and we must take confidence from the fact we are five games undefeated now. With the break coming up for the Scotland game, it is important we get three points against Queen’s Park.

“I was gutted that we didn’t beat Peterhead because I thought we dominated the game in terms of possession. We have a good squad of players now and we try to get the ball down and pass it – we just need to make that possession count in the final third.”

Meanwhile, Peterhead boss Neale Cooper admitted he was pleased with a point as the Blue Toon maintained their unbeaten away start.

He said: “I think it was a game that could have gone either way but I’m happy with a draw as this was always going to be a difficult game given the form Stirling are in.”

Albion will again be without Stewart Devine for the trip to Hampden but the management team are hopeful John O’Neill will be passed fit. The ex-Queen of the South midfielder has been struggling with a groin problem and was forced to come off towards the end against Peterhead but coach Grant expects him to recover in time.