Young Binos take the sting out of Jags

Oct 1 2008 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Wednesday

STIRLING Albion under 17s impressed their stand-in coach with a great win over Partick Thistle on Sunday.

With coach Ally Breton attending an SFA coach education course, Albion’s Head of Youth Stewart Taylor took charge and the players responded with a great performance against a strong Partick team.

Striker Eric Doig pressurised the home full back into an early mistake then rounded the keeper before scoring in the first minute.

Stirling then defended well with keeper Darren Dolan dealing with everything in a competent fashion and those in front of him fighting for possession at all times.

A strong second half start from Partick was contained and gradually Stirling started to play a controlled passing game.

When Andy Pender scored from 16 yards out Stirling assumed full control to record a fine win.

Greig Murray and Mat Johnstone were excellent in defence but all players, including all the subs who came on, made a great contribution.

Next fixture is a home game to Queen's Park on Sunday at Forthbank, kick off 2.15pm.

The under 19s made the long trip to Dingwall on Sunday but suffered a second consecutive 2-1 defeat, this time against Ross County.

Stirling found themselves two goals down after only five minutes.The £650 spent on luxury coach travel seemed to be money down the drain but the team then produced some excellent play to totally dominate the game.

Michael MacAdam pulled a goal back but despite hitting the post or crossbar on four occasions the Binos couldn’t find a second goal.

On Friday at 7.15pm they meet East Stirling in the Irn Bru Youth Division fixture at Forthbank and on the Sunday, October 12 they will face Dundee in the second round of the Scottish FA Youth Cup.

Positive

On a positive note, six of the current U19 squad were involved in first team reserve action against Auchinleck Talbot at Forthbank last Tuesday.

Callum Scott and Mark Miller played the full 90 minutes in the full back positions while Jonathan Boyle played up front and scored an equalising goal.

In the second period Michael MacAdam, Craig Young and Jonathan Chalk got an opportunity. All the boys did well and earned praise and encouragement from manager Allan Moore.

The Under 13s fielded some trialists against Raith Rovers at Forthbank on Sunday.

In a good display Tommy Hall scored with a header from a Chris Ogilvie cross to give the Binos a deserved lead but Raith hit back to equalise.

The Fifers edged ahead in the third period but the display from Stirling was again an encouraging one. Next week they travel to Dumfries for a game against Queen of the South.

The Under 15s had no SFA Youth fixture but played Renfrew U15s in a friendly.

The Renfrew team came out on top on this occasion so the Stirling side will be looking for an improvement in performance in their next fixture against Queen's Park on Sunday at Forthbank at 12.15pm.

The players from the two younger sides took part in an excellent fundraising day on Saturday when they walked from Bonnybridge Sports Centre to the Falkirk Wheel and back on a sponsored walk. The boys had lunch at Smith’s Restaurant then were present at the first team match against Peterhead.

A half time collection from fans brought in £262 so grateful thanks go to those who contributed.

The boys had a great day and will hopefully bring in their sponsorship money to contribute to the costs of running the programme.