Stirling Albion match against Brechin in doubt

Dec 23 2009

STIRLING Albion look increasingly likely to be idle for the second Saturday in a row, with the weekend trip to Brechin in major doubt because of the freezing weather.

The club’s December 19 fixture with local rivals Stenhousemuir at Forthbank fell victim to a frozen pitch and it could be a similar story at Glebe Park this time round.

On Tuesday night, Brechin secretary Angus Fairlie confirmed that several days of hard frost had taken their toll on the playing surface, which was also covered by a layer of snow. Given that the early evening temperature in the Angus town on Tuesday had already fallen to minus seven, only a dramatic improvement in the conditions is likely to save the fixture.

Albion beat Brechin by a single goal at Forthbank back in August but Jim Duffy’s men are undefeated at home, with six wins and two draws. With Stirling having notched up six victories from eight away trips, the stage was set for a fascinating match but it now looks as if the Binos’ next outing will be at Alloa on January 2.

SFL rules mean games called off at this stage of the season don’t have to be played until after the last Saturday in February and that could mean a hectic March for Allan Moore’s men, particularly if they overcome Albion Rovers on January 9 to progress to the last 16 of the Scottish Cup - that takes place on February 6, when Stirling are due to host Arbroath.

Moore said: “There is not much we can do about the weather but obviously we are hoping the game is on. The boys trained on Saturday and we were hoping to do some work last night (Wednesday) as we didn’t manage anything on Monday because of the weather.

“Craig McKeown had a groin problem and would probably have missed the Stenhousemuir game but hopefully he will be OK for Brechin. He is only with us from Dundee for a month but I would like to have him for longer.”

Moore also confirmed that he is keen to keep on-loan Ayr striker Bryan Prunty beyond January but midfielder Ross McCord will return to Dundee United at the end of this month following the expiry of his loan agreement, having perhaps not made the same impact that his elder brother Ryan did during a spell at Stirling last season.

Cowdenbeath could go five points clear by winning on Alloa’s plastic pitch this weekend but Moore believes his team have what it takes to ultimately claim top spot.

He added: “You have to give Cowdenbeath credit for the run they are on but we have taken four points off them and there is no need to fear anyone in this league. We have done well away from home but we need to start taking full points from our home games.”

Meanwhile, Moore admits he is in the dark over plans by sports surgeon Gordon Mackay to take over the club from chairman Peter McKenzie.

He said: “There’s not much I can say. The chairman has not spoken to me about it but, to be fair to him, my job is taking care of the team. I know Dr Mackay because he has looked after some of our players but in terms of the takeover I only know what I have read in the papers.

“I have another year on my contract after this and am just getting on with things.”