Albion sign striker Allison

Jan 22 2010 by Jean Pedder, Stirling Observer Friday

STIRLING Albion have signed Falkirk defender Brian Allison on loan until the end of the season ahead of tomorrow’s Division Two clash with East Fife at Forthbank.

The 21-year-old impressed during a loan spell with Stirling in Division One two years ago and could prove a key signing for a team who have not managed a shut-out in the league since beating this weekend’s opponents 3-0 in September.

Edinburgh-born Allison, who has battled back from a bad injury, has made four starts for the Bairns in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League this term. He wasn’t signed in time to face Albion Rovers in the Scottish Cup on Wednesday but will be eligible for the fifth-round meeting with Ross County in Dingwall on Saturday February 6.

Stirling were due to host Arbroath in Division Two that afternoon but that match will now need to be rescheduled, along with the home fixtures with Stenhousemuir and Peterhead and the away trips to Alloa and Brechin.

Falkirk Head of Football Development Ross Wilson told the club website: “Brian is a player that is always in the first-team squad but the manager felt he wasn’t going to play week in week out, so it is more beneficial for him to move on loan to somewhere he will.

“Brian is delighted to have the opportunity to return to Albion and I know from speaking to Allan Moore that he too is delighted to regain the services of a player of Brian’s quality.”

Strengthen

Moore added: “Brian did a great job the last time he was here and we are pleased to have him back. I have been looking to strengthen the defence for a while. Andy Graham is struggling at the moment and we have a lot of games coming up so this gives us a boost.

“Craig McKeown is fit now as well and will come into contention for the East Fife game and Chris Aitken is free after being cup tied the other night. It was disappointing to lose Bryan Prunty to Alloa after his loan spell here but we didn’t have the finance to do everything and I would rather bring people in at the back because I think we will still score goals.”

Stirling struggled against Albion Rovers in Wednesday’s replay – the teams drew 0-0 in Coatbridge on Monday – but progressed 3-1 thanks to a double from Michael Mullen and a Paul Murphy effort after Pat Walker had equalised for the impressive Third Division side – all the goals came in the first half.

Moore was far from happy with his side’s display and knows much better is required tomorrow against an East Fife team who drew 2-2 with Cowdenbeath last weekend and came close to ending the leaders’ long unbeaten record.

Stirling have taken six points out of six against the Methil men this season but have struggled at home in the league and were well below par in midweek.

Moore said: “The be all and end all is being in the next round but we didn’t play particularly well. All of the credit has to go to Albion Rovers. We got the goals at the right time but we gave them too much space and we didn’t pass the ball well.

“It was a potential upset and we have avoided that. Hopefully we will improve in the next round – we will need to. We can’t make the excuse of having two games in three days because it was the same for them.

Pleased

“I thought Stewart Devine did well at left-back and my goalkeeper made some good saves. I’m pleased that Michael Mullen got a couple of goals. He works hard but he needs to improve his fitness a bit because he is not where he was earlier in the season.”

Rovers boss Paul Martin said: “We should have had a penalty in the first half and we had maybe a dozen clear-cut chances. The players were absolutely fantastic and it was unusual for us to concede three goals like we did. We have showed that can compete and maybe we will be playing Stirling Albion again next season if they don’t get promoted.”

Meanwhile, Martin Grehan is doubtful for the East Fife game after missing out on Wednesday with a hamstring problem and Andy Graham is also struggling but Ross Forsyth is set to return and David O’Brien is also fine despite being replaced by Nathan Taggart in midweek.

Chris Aitken, signed from Ayr United, and on-loan Dundee defender Craig McKeown are set to start against East Fife as Stirling aim to keep the pressure on a Cowdenbeath team who travel to Dumbarton with a three-point lead at the summit but have played a game more.