Reds’ youths face cup delay

Feb 27 2009 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Friday

STIRLING Albion’s youth boss Stewart Taylor has complained to SFL chiefs about the delay to the start of the SFL Youth League Cup.

The competition, which follows the Irn Bru League at both under 17 and 19 level is now due to start in mid March – almost two and a half months after the under 19s team completed their league fixtures as scheduled on January 25.

“We were told that the League Cup competition would not be delayed to allow clubs to play unfulfilled league matches but that appears to have happened,” said Stewart.

“Our under 19s have been penalised for playing their fixtures to the schedule put in place by the SFL. We will now go into the League Cup not having played a competitive game for over two months.

“The team continues to train and we have managed to organise a few friendly matches but it is not the same.”

The Under 17 team looks as if they will also have a delay before their next competitive game. On Sunday they completed their league programme with an away defeat to Queen of the South. Gary Morrison scored from long range in a game that never really got going and the 17's team finish in a mid-table position after the 2-1 defeat.

Scott McLay suffered a serious injury when playing for the under 13s against Livingston when he dislocated and broke his ankle and he will be out for some time. Scott had scored for the young Binos team in the game against Livingston in a match overshadowed by the accident. Livingston won the game narrowly by 2-1.

On Sunday the under 13s and 15s will help out the SFA by acting as runners at the SFA Coach Education Course at Stirling University. Candidates for the Level 4 Youth Award will make use of the Stirling Albion youngsters to demonstrate their coaching ability. Two Stirling coaches Tom Ogilvie and Davy Adams are candidates on the course.

Two under 19 players, Gregg Munn and Michael MacAdam, have returned from a week's preparation in Cyprus ahead of the SSFA's Centenary Shield campaign for 2009.

MacAdam spent much of the time with the physio as he tries to shake off a badly sprained ankle injury. Munn played in both games against Aris Limassol in a 1-1 draw and a 2-0 defeat to an U 21 Dynamo Kiev side.

“It was a great week in which the team really came together. We now look forward to the Centenary Shield matches,” said Gregg

The first of these games was scheduled to take place in Belfast last night (Thursday).