Reds are up for Blue Toon test

Feb 13 2009

STIRLING boss Allan Moore believes competition for places is one of the reasons for Albion’s rise into the top four.

The Binos entertain Peterhead tomorrow (Saturday) aiming for a sixth straight victory following recent wins over Arbroath, Raith, Ayr, Stranraer and Brechin – a sequence of results that has lifted them into the play-offs, writes David Ogilvie.

The Blue Toon are just a point behind, so tomorrow’s game is crucial to both clubs. Neither have played since January 31 when Peterhead won 3-0 at East Fife and Stirling overcame Brechin 2-1 in the Glebe Park glaur.

January’s Second Division Manager of the Month reckons he has a strong squad at his disposal, with 14 games between now and May determining whether or not Stirling are involved in the play-offs for the second time in three seasons.

Moore said: “I think we have real competition in the squad at the moment and everyone knows they have to play well to keep their place in the team. The likes of Mark Docherty and Andy Lawrie have had to be patient recently but it is good that we have a group of players we can count on.”

Ross Forsyth completes his three-match ban tomorrow and midfielder John O’Neill is also suspended for one game after picking up his sixth yellow card of the season at Brechin a fortnight ago.

David Lowing is likely to continue at left-back and on-loan Dundee United teenager Ryan McCord is set to deputise for O’Neill, having so far been used only as a substitute.

Moore said: “Ryan will probably come in and he deserves his chance. He has looked good when he has come off the bench and the fans can see he has a bit of quality. He scored a great goal against Ayr in our last home game and could have had a couple at Stranraer.

Tendancy

“He also had a great effort saved by Craig Nelson up at Brechin so he gives us a threat from the middle of the park. He can have a tendency to drift out of position a little but that is when we put him on the right. He is more of a central player and I’m sure Paul Murphy will keep him in check!”

Winger Nathan Taggart remains sidelined with a back injury that requires rest but it is hard to envisage any other changes to a team that have performed so well of late.

Recent recruit Michael Mullen will be in the squad but is in line for a place on the bench given the fine form of David McKenna and Martin Grehan. The ex-Stranraer hitman was signed too late to make his debut at Brechin but it would be a surprise if he doesn’t feature at some stage against Peterhead.

Moore added: “We would have preferred to have played last Saturday because we wanted to keep the run going so hopefully the weather will improve and the Peterhead match will be on. We already have games against Alloa and East Fife to fit in and ideally we don’t want any more.

“Peterhead had a great result at East Fife in their last game but we are confident. We challenged the players to get us into the top four and if we get in about Peterhead I’m sure we can get the three points.

“It looks like four teams going for two play-off places but we are only seven points behind Ayr (who are second) and I saw them lose to Alloa at the weekend so it is not beyond us to catch them.”

Crawford Allan is the referee for tomorrow’s clash and Albion and Peterhead have proved impossible to separate this term, with a 0-0 draw at Forthbank followed by a 1-1 share of the spoils at Balmoor.

The winning habit has been hard to break and another victory would be a massive boost on a weekend when the top six are all in direct opposition.