Strikers aim to rein in leaders

Oct 15 2008 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Wednesday

STIRLING Albion could line up against league leaders Brechin City on Saturday with a strike force of two of the country’s most experienced players.

Three consecutive draws which in all honesty should have been three wins, has seen boss Allan Moore contemplate taking on the Second Division pacesetters with a double act of Ian Harty and John O’Neill in the striking roles, writes Donald Morton.

Albion lost late goals at Raith Rovers and Queen’s Park and drew a blank at home to Peterhead to leave them sitting in sixth place, eight points behind Brechin. Wins in the three games would see them in third – only two points behind.

Moore’s assistant missed the game at Hampden through injury but is confident he’ll be fit enough for selection on Saturday.

And if he is asked to join Harty in the forward line he’ll be happy to do so.

“We need to start picking up points, particularly at home,” said O’Neill. “We’re not being ruthless enough in front of goal.

“I can’t just blame the strikers, though. We have to try and come up with goals from all over the park.”

O’Neill was due to train at Forthbank last night (Tuesday) and says he should be ready to return. “I’ve played up front before and I’d be happy to do it again.”

An O’Neill-Harty partnership is something boss Moore has been contemplating.

“Martin Grehan, David McKenna and Steven Waddell have struggled and I’ve been considering using John up front,” said Moore.

“In the last game against Queen’s Park we should have killed them off well before they equalised. I told them at half-time that if they went up 2-0 they could keep the ball up their jerseys if they liked but it was another late goal which cost us.”

Saturday’s opponents netted the winner in the opening league of the season with only five minutes left, Raith scored a last-minute penalty before the Spiders fought back to earn a point with an 85th minute goal.

“Our first half against Queen’s Park was as god as we’ve played all season,” said O’Neill, “but we still only had one goal to show for it.

“Everyone wants to play well and win in style but I think on Saturday I’d rather play poorly and win.”

Albion’s injury list is shortening by the day with Stewart Devine, Sean Roycroft and Kevin Ross all desperate to be back in the squad.

“They all just need games now,” said O’Neill. “We are trying to arrange friendly matches to help them along.”