Forsyth blow for the Binos

Nov 21 2008 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Friday

STIRLING Albion have been dealt a major blow with the news that captain Ross Forsyth faces a long spell on the sidelines.

The former St Johnstone full-back saw a specialist on Tuesday about his injured knee and was told it would require surgery to rectify the problem. It is a massive setback for both the player and the team, who have managed just one shut-out this season and who have struggled in Forsyth’s recent absence.

Assistant boss John O’Neill said: “Ross is now waiting on a date for his surgery. It is a blow to lose him. We are hoping that he will be out for weeks rather than months but we don’t know at this stage.”

Forsyth sustained the injury in the 1-1 draw at Ayr United at the end of October and has missed the November matches with Stranraer, Alloa and Arbroath. Albion have conceded eight goals in that period, picking up just three points.

The Binos head for Peterhead tomorrow (Saturday) aiming to close the six-point gap on the Blue Toon and revive their play-off hopes but injuries again threaten to disrupt their plans.

Forsyth is out and neither Sean Roycroft nor Ian Harty trained on Tuesday night, making the pair doubtful for the long haul north. There is better news on defensive duo Andy Graham and David Lowing, who did manage to take part in the midweek session after missing out on last weekend’s 2-0 home defeat to bottom club Arbroath.

On-loan Falkirk defender Scott Gibb gives the management team an option and O’Neill confirmed that he and Moore are still working to bring a striker to the club, but all efforts so far have proved in vain.

Peterhead lost 3-0 to in-form Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park on Saturday but have been scoring goals for fun at Balmoor – five against Brechin and four against Queen’s Park recently – and Stirling could be in for a difficult afternoon at a venue where they have a mixed record.

Their most recent trip to the North East resulted in a 2-1 defeat in April 2007 – a result that all but ended Albion’s automatic promotion hopes – but earlier that season Dougie Wilson scored a last-minute winner in a 3-2 comeback success.

In 2005/06, the Binos won one and lost one at Peterhead and the previous campaign saw both Balmoor clashes drawn. There have also been a couple of heavy defeats to endure, namely a 6-0 thrashing in Allan Moore’s first season as boss and a 5-1 hammering during Ray Stewart’s time in charge.

But O’Neill is confident that Stirling can take something from the game, before the league takes a break.

That to accommodate the third round of the Scottish Cup on November 29, when Albion will take on First Division Partick Thistle at Forthbank.

He said: “We spoke to the boys on Tuesday night and told them to put the Arbroath game behind them. There is no point in feeling sorry for ourselves – we all have to pull together and try and get a result at Peterhead.

“It was 0-0 when we played them at our place but we had the better of that match and should have won. Missed chances cost us and that has been the story of our season. It was the same against Arbroath on Saturday. We were the better team in the first half but couldn’t put the ball in the net.”

Stirling will be hoping their luck in front of goal takes a turn for the better tomorrow.