Stirling Albion survive conditions to take point

Nov 26 2008

Peterhead 1 Stilring Albion 1

AS FAR as we can recall, David Attenborough’s “Life in the Freezer” series didn’t feature Peterhead but it was certainly cold enough for penguins at Balmoor.

Indeed, those engaging creatures might have been more suited to the snow-covered surface than 22 footballers but this turned out to be an entertaining affair despite the icy conditions and Albion were worthy of the draw, which keeps them six points behind Peterhead in the chase for the play-offs.

An 8.30am call to the stadium suggested there was little prospect of the match being on. Then it seemed to be OK, then it was doubtful and subject to another check. On arrival at the stadium match referee Stevie O’Reilly apparently gave it the go-ahead on the instruction that both penalty areas were cleared of snow.

That left most of the park with a wintry covering that was never going to shift, given the sub-zero temperatures, but the game wasn’t the farce suggested in some quarters. Sure, on another day a different official might have pulled the plug but returning to the north-east in midweek would have suited no one.

It was hard to recall many other Albion games being played in these conditions but the Binos did record a 3-1 win at East Fife on New Year’s Day 1997 on a snow-bound Bayview pitch. Then it was an orange ball that was required. On Saturday the new luminous yellow version was deployed. Not as good, frankly.

It was soon being knocked about with confidence by Stirling, who turned in a performance vastly superior to what had been served up in the recent defeats against Alloa and Arbroath and even the win over Stranraer.

Allan Moore’s men showed a determination to take something from the proceedings – it’s a long way home after a defeat – even after going behind in 24 minutes when Graeme Sharp gave the Blue Toon a lead they scarcely merited.

Stirling were the better team in the first half but passed up several good chances before equalising eight minutes after the break, when John O’Neill beat Michael Kula with an overhead kick from Mark Docherty’s free-kick.

Both sides rattled the woodwork and Peterhead had an effort ruled out for offside as the sides shared the points for the second time this season. It was 0-0 at Forthbank in September but at least there were goals to warm Balmoor’s smallest league gate of 2008/09 – just 461 – this time round.

Albion have suffered a couple of pastings in this part of the world since Peterhead joined the Scottish League and Neale Cooper’s men had banged in nine goals in their last two home matches. Given Stirling’s recent defensive frailties, there were understandable concerns among the fans but they proved off the mark.

Moore made five changes to the starting line-up in the wake of the miserable 2-0 defeat to Arbroath. According to the official team sheet, one of them seemed to be a mystery goalkeeper by the name of Charlie Scott but it turned out to be Scott Christie, who was surprisingly recalled in place of Myles Hogarth.

Andy Graham and David Lowing returned after injury and Mark Docherty was restored to the first XI, as was striker David McKenna, who partnered Martin Grehan in a 4-4-2 formation that saw Andy Lawrie at right-back and Graham in the centre alongside on-loan Falkirk man Scott Gibb.

Graham typified Albion’s battling performance. In the wars as usual, he struggled on bravely after suffering a head knock. Goalscorer O’Neill didn’t last the distance, though, and was replaced by Liam Corr after seemingly being hurt in the process of hooking home his fourth goal of the season.

There were late appearances from the bench for Steven Waddell and Chris Hamilton, who had been summoned from the warmth of a cosy lounge to replace Nathan Taggart, injured in the warm-up.

Although Albion started positively they survived a scare when top scorer Martin Bavidge fired wide of the far post and they were cut open again when Stuart Anderson picked out Sharp, who made no mistake with a crisp finish.

Stirling could have buckled but on a bitter afternoon their response was warming. Grehan headed inches wide, Docherty just failed to convert a cross at the back post then McKenna’s lob looked in all the way. Sadly, it wasn’t.

The ex-St Mirren forward was lively and inventive – the sort of form he produced early in his Albion career – and was denied an equaliser when he whacked in an angled drive that caught the outside of the post.

Peterhead’s luck ran out when Docherty’s in-swinging free-kick was buried by O’Neill but they got a break 20 minutes from time when Kula was almost beaten in spectacular fashion – by one of his own defenders.

But the hosts reasserted themselves and Sharp smacked the foot of the post from 25 yards. Stuart McKay should have swept home the rebound but his first touch was heavy and Christie made a vital block.

The Albion keeper later pushed out a fierce free-kick from on-loan Aberdeen full-back Stuart Smith. Gunn shot the rebound into the net but had strayed offside.

A goal then, with seven minutes left, would have been harsh on the Binos, who had struck the woodwork minutes four earlier. A clever move saw McKenna feed Grehan but his effort cannoned back off the post.

All that was left was to debate whether this was the coldest ever Albion game. Perhaps but my vote, for what it is worth, would be Shielfield Park, Hogmanay, 1994: hypothermia and a 1-0 defeat. A happy New Year it was not.

PETERHEAD: Kula, Donald, Smith, Skinner, MacDonald, McKay, Sharp, Ross, Bavidge, Anderson, Gunn (Kosminski 84). Subs not used: Fleming, Bagshaw, Davidson, Jarvie.

ALBION: Christie, Lawrie, Lowing, Gibb, Graham, O’Neill (Corr 56), Molloy, Murphy, Grehan (Waddell 86), McKenna, Docherty (Hamilton 90). Subs not used: Ross, Hogarth.

Referee: Stevie O’Reilly