Reds' injury problems ease as leaders call

Jan 7 2009

STIRLING Albion will attempt to play their first match of 2009 this weekend following the postponement of Saturday’s meeting with Alloa.

League leaders Raith Rovers come to Forthbank for a match that was originally due to be played on December 6 but fell victim to a frozen pitch and was rearranged for January 10 with both teams having been knocked out of the Scottish Cup.

Saturday’s Alloa clash was called off around 1.45pm after a lengthy inspection by referee Chris Boyle and came as a major disappointment to the club, who could have done with the revenue from what would have been a healthily-attended local derby.

The late decision upset some of the fans, who were continuing to arrive at Forthbank after the fixture had fallen foul of the freezing conditions, but there could certainly be no criticism of the match official, who had no option but to postpone the match.

As with the Raith game last month, the goalmouth at the Morrisons end of the ground was particularly problematic and would have been dangerous to the players.

Scottish League rules mean the Alloa encounter does not require to be rescheduled until after the last Saturday in February which could set up a derby double header as the Binos are due on the Recreation Park plastic on Saturday March 7.

If both clubs are in agreement, the game could be played sooner but Alloa’s immediate priority is a Scottish Cup encounter with Aberdeen on Saturday and the Wasps’ poor away record – one point all season – may make them inclined to wait.

Stirling boss Allan Moore agreed with Boyle’s decision and must now hope the weather relents ahead of Saturday’s match with Raith, who moved four points clear at the top of the Irn-Bru Second Division with a 1-0 win over East Fife.

Moore is hoping to add to his squad but money is tight and a loan deal looks the most likely avenue to pursue, with a striker the priority following the departure of Ian Harty. The man of many clubs penned a six-month deal when he arrived in the summer but last featured in the 4-3 defeat at Alloa on November 8 and wasn’t offered a contract extension.

Stirling are short in attack, with Martin Grehan and David McKenna the favoured pairing at the moment and only youngsters Steven Waddell and Jon Boyle as back-up.

“We are looking for a forward but experienced strikers are like gold dust,” said Moore, whose side were due to face Linlithgow Rose in a bounce match last night (Tuesday). “Nothing is happening at the moment but we will speak to the chairman to see what finance is available and contact as many clubs as we can.”

Albion’s injury problems are easing at last and Nathan Taggart is the only player definitely out of the weekend match. He has been missing since the 2-0 defeat by Arbroath in mid-November because of a back problem.

Key defenders Andy Graham and Ross Forsyth are now available, having returned to the squad at Arbroath, and Mark Docherty and Grehan have recovered from illness for a game that is vital to both clubs.

Moore has also confirmed that central defender Sean Roycroft, who recently returned from injury, is under contract until the summer and was not on a six-month deal as had been suggested in some quarters.

Raith are looking to extend their lead over Ayr – who are in Scottish Cup action against Kilmarnock but are due at Forthbank on January 17 – while Albion remain six points off the play-off places but have games in hand on East Fife and Peterhead, who are also involved in cup duty this weekend.

Consistency has been the biggest problem for Moore’s men but that has not been a concern for Raith, who have lost just twice in 19 games. Both losses came on the road – at Brechin and Peterhead – and Albion will hope to make it a hat-trick of away defeats for the Fifers.

Raith’s last visit to Forthbank was for the play-offs in 2007 when the Binos secured a memorable 3-1 win

Meanwhile, Albion will face a blank weekend next month if East Fife are successful in their Scottish Cup fourth-round tie at Stenhousemuir. Dave Baikie’s men are due at Forthbank on February 7 but that date is set aside for the fifth round of the cup and victory for the Fifers away to the Third Division leaders will see the league clash postponed.