Misery reigns in second half
Binos fold in 45 minutes of pain at Galabank
Annan Athletic ........ 4 Stirling Albion ......... 1 Stirling Albion’s unbeaten start to 2017 came to a shuddering halt after a second-half collapse at Galabank saw Annan claim a comprehensive victory.
Since losing horribly to Cowdenbeath on Hogmanay, Dave Mackay’s men had beaten Clyde and drawn away to leaders Forfar before another draw with Clyde set up last night’s Scottish Cup fourthround replay at Broadwood for the right to travel to Ayr in the last 16.
This was a big step back but there were few signs of it during a first half when Albion were the better team and led through Blair Henderson’s eighth goal of the season but Smart Osadolor equalised right on the interval and it was downhill from there.
Osadolor struck again soon after the break and a Max Wright double sealed the win for the home side.
This always had the feeling of a pivotal game in the campaign. Win and Mackay’s men could justifiably be thinking about a push for the play-offs; lose and the next few months would simply be about avoiding 10th place and the unthinkable threat of relegation.
On a grim winter’s afternoon it was the latter scenario that came to pass and Stirling now face massive February fixtures at home to Montrose, Berwick Rangers and Edinburgh City.
Mackay made three changes for the trip to Galabank. Experienced goalkeeper Chris Smith was recalled, on-loan Rangers midfielder Josh Jeffries made his debut as Henderson replaced French striker Dylan Nguene Bikey, who signed for Hearts at the end of last week.
Bikey will be much missed after scoring nine goals in nine games but it is Albion’s generosity at the other end of the park – 41 goals conceded now in 21 League 2 matches – that is the biggest concern. Ross Cameron, leading scorer for the U20s, became, remarkably, the 37th different player to feature this season when he came on as a substitute with 15 minutes remaining.
Stirling were ahead after just seven minutes. Jeffries and Darren Smith combined to set up Henderson and the ex-Berwick forward did well to hold off a defender and turn to knock a precise shot into the bottom left-hand corner from eight yards.
Annan possess plenty of attacking threat but that was rarely seen in the first half and Blair Currie made a good stop from Henderson before Jeffries’ follow-up was cleared off the line, then Scott Davidson should have done better than slash a shot well over the bar from a decent position.
Nathan Flanagan wasted a good opportunity for the hosts but there was little sign of an equaliser as the half wore on, only for Osadolor to pounce from close range after Jean Guy Lucas picked him out after a quick break down the left flank.
A 1-1 draw would have been a decent outcome but Albion never looked like getting it.
Left winger Flanagan, on loan from St Mirren, was the best player on the pitch and tormented Stirling. He set up Osadolor to net from a couple of yards out and Annan never looked back.
Albion had a penalty appeal turned away when Jeffries appeared to be bundled over in the box but they generally offered little and were second best all over the pitch.
Flanagan smashed a shot into the side-netting after racing clear before Wright put the outcome beyond doubt in 74 minutes, driving the ball into the corner from just inside the box. The opportunity came about after a poor clearance from Chris Smith to concede a throw-in, followed by sloppy defending – it summed up the second half.
Darren Smith almost pulled one back in stoppage-time but was denied by Currie and Annan broke quickly, with Wright heading home a cross from fellow sub David McKenna.
Annan Athletic: Currie, Home, Lucas, Krissian, Watson, Skelton, Omar, Ramsay (Wright 65), Weatherston, Osadolor (Smith 78), Flanagan (McKenna 83). Subs (not used): Black, Dachnowicz, Swinglehurst, Mitchell (GK).
Stirling Albion: C Smith, Caddis, Quigley, Scott Davidson, Frazer Wright, Robertson (Black 85), Colquhoun (Dickson 69), McLaren, Jeffries (Cameron 75), D Smith, Henderson. Subs (not used): Forsyth, Mills, Petrie, Binnie (GK).