Stirling Albion looking for revenge against Alloa Athletic

Nov 6 2009

STIRLING Albion are on a revenge mission when they face local rivals Alloa at Forthbank tomorrow (Saturday).

Allan Moore’s men suffered their first league defeat of the campaign at Recreation Park in September when Andy Scott’s early goal was enough to give Allan Maitland’s side all three points despite Albion dominating the second half, writes David Ogilvie.

That result lifted Alloa three points clear at the summit, only for the Wasps to then hit a slump, which was ended by last week’s 2-0 home win over Clyde. Stirling, meanwhile, have seen their form dip and the 3-2 defeat at Peterhead follows recent home draws against Arbroath, now bottom, and Clyde, who are ninth.

Top spot in Division Two is now under threat and a Wasps’ victory, coupled with one for Cowdenbeath at Clyde, will see the Blue Brazil hit the summit ahead of their visit to Stirling in a fortnight’s time.

Albion will be desperate to get back on track after losing to Peterhead. There were many positives to take from the performance, with some excellent attacking play, but the number of clear-cut chances squandered at Balmoor, and in the previous week’s 1-1 draw against Clyde when it required a last-gasp Liam Corr goal to salvage a point, must be alarming for Moore.

Of even more concern is the leaky nature of the defence and it doesn’t help that Ross Forsyth is now suspended after his red card last week. In the first six games of the season, the Binos conceded a mere two goals but in the second batch of six games, the goals-against tally was 10 and there has been no clean sheet since East Fife were beaten 3-0 on September 19.

Unprecedented

Incredibly, that was also the last time Moore’s men took the lead - a surely unprecedented statistic for a table-topping club and one that has to be halted soon. Stirling need to score first rather than chasing the game if they are to continue to lead the way.

With a third of the season played, Stirling’s overall record is an impressive seven wins, three draws and two defeats. Crucially, they have defeated the two teams immediately below them in Cowdenbeath and Brechin but only Stenhousemuir have been overcome in the last four outings.

There is very little between most of the teams in the league. There might be no full-time clubs and no-one to fear but there are no easy games either.

Tomorrow’s game is huge. Victory will keep Albion handily placed at the top but anything less and the doubts may start to creep in. Alloa will be tough opponents, that is for certain.

Manager Maitland was also linked with the Morton post and has done a fine job at Alloa. He has plenty of respect for Albion but was thrilled by his side’s victory last time out.

Focus

There have been many worrying off-field headlines surrounding the club in recent weeks but the players and manager must simply focus on securing three points this weekend. Not since 1995/96 under Kevin Drinkell have Albion won a title and the current squad have the ability to go on and claim the prize but you feel this is a pivotal stage in the journey.

Derby delight, hopefully in front of a big crowd, would keep the Binos on the right road.