Victory required as Reds chase play offs

Mar 25 2009 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Wednesday

STIRLING Albion go into Saturday’s rearranged home match with East Fife in need of a victory after slumping 3-1 to Queen’s Park at Hampden on Saturday.

Albion have struggled for consistency of late, as a sequence of two wins, three draws and two defeats in the last seven outings would suggest, writes David Ogilvie.

Allan Moore’s men dominated for much of Saturday’s game and could have scored six goals but failed to convert a string of gilt-edged opportunities and were punished for poor defending as the Glasgow club won a league game for the first time since January 3.

Peterhead’s 0-0 draw at leaders Ayr means they are five points clear of Stirling and with a much better goal difference. Albion will trim the gap to two points should they overcome East Fife this weekend but Dave Baikie’s outfit are themselves back in the top-four race after thumping Stranraer 3-0 and have a softish run of fixtures coming up.

Stirling still have to go to Ayr, Peterhead and East Fife and host Raith which looks like a demanding schedule but it could turn out to be a blessing given their poor record against teams in the bottom four.

The Reds have lost only to Brechin in the top six but have taken just one point from Queen’s Park and have also been beaten by Stranraer, Alloa and Arbroath, drawing with the latter pair. It’s a sequence that could ultimately cost them a play-off place and the prospect of needing to beat Queen’s Park on the final day is not one the fans would relish.

In fairness, there was plenty to admire about Stirling’s performance at the National Stadium but they were undone by some terrible finishing and once again couldn’t shut out opponents who have hardly been banging the goals in this season.

Moore was raging after a 1-1 Hampden draw in October and was understandably upset after watching his team throw away what would have been a precious three points.

He said: “It’s the exact same story as when we came here the last time. We totally dominated the first half and I would say we had eight clear-cut chances that we didn’t put away.

“I told the players at half-time that it was important we didn’t lose a goal but that’s exactly what happened and then we had to chase the game. Even then, Martin Grehan had three one-on-ones with the keeper that he didn’t take.

“We worked on crossing and finishing at training on Thursday night but I think we had more chances against Queen’s Park than in training!

“We played some really good football and cut them open at ease but we can’t keep the back door shut. We pushed forward at 1-1 because we have to try and win games but unfortunately we got caught on the break twice.

“Three-one looks a bad result and it is, but if it had been 11-3 to us then I don’t think it would have been a bad reflection on the game because the amount of chances we had was unbelievable. They have mugged us, to be honest, but we should have been able to deal better with their first goal which came from a punt up the park.

“I don’t think Queen’s Park were in the game in the first half but our inability to put the ball in the net gave them a bit of life.

“We’ve got a big game against East Fife now but we have been doing fine against the East Fifes, Raiths, and Ayrs but that is seven points Queen’s Park have taken off us this season and the only time they played well was at our place in December. We were so much on top in both games here but have paid the price for missing chances.”

Queen’s Park boss Gardner Speirs admitted his side were fortunate to end a run of 10 league games without defeat. He said: “We did ride our luck but our three goals were all excellent strikes.”

East Fife are three points behind the Binos with an identical goal difference ahead of their trip to Forthbank, which was due to be played on February 7 but was postponed due to the Methil men’s Scottish Cup clash at Aberdeen.

Albion won 1-0 at New Bayview in December and the sides drew 1-1 in Stirling early in the season. East Fife’s hopes of promotion had dimmed after a run of four defeats but, like Albion, they have taken more points on the road and that makes them dangerous.