Binos kick off with derby day
Stirling Albion will kick off their Ladbrokes League 2 campaign with a trip to play Stenhousemuir at Ochilview on Saturday, August 5.
The SPFL fixture list for 2017/18 was announced on Friday morning and handed the Binos a tough start against Brown Ferguson’s men, who were relegated after several seasons in League 1 but have already brought in 11 new players, including ex-Binos Mark Ferry and Chris Smith.
Stirling then host Berwick Rangers and Edinburgh City before travelling to play title favourites Peterhead at the end of August.
Their festive fixtures are home to Montrose on December 23, away to Elgin City on December 30 and away to Stenhousemuir on January 2. Dave Mackay’s men end their campaign at home to the Warriors on Saturday, April 28.
The Binos boss said: “It’s a tasty one to start, being a local derby, and I’m sure the fans will be looking forward to it.
“Stenhousemuir will be among the favourites and have brought in a lot of new players, including Chris Smith. He’s an excellent goalkeeper and I’ve said before the only reason he was allowed to leave is because I feel Cammy Binnie has to be playing first-team football now.” Albion Lotto Last week’s numbers were 11, 13, 20, 25. There was no jackpot winner so jackpot today (Wednesday) rises to £5200. Two players matched three numbers to win £125 each. You can play online at www.safclotto.co.uk Fallin Rangers Bus for game v Progrès Niederkorn tomorrow (Thursday) leaves Fallin 5.30pm, Islamic Centre, Stirling 5.35pm and Borestone 5.40pm. Old and new members welcome. Milton AFC Weekly draw for Saturday, June 24: £75 (No 220) M McKreal, Crum Crescent, St Ninians; £25 (No 67) P Hamill, Maitland Avenue. Bannockburn. Despite achieving a remarkable five victories from seven qualifying matches, Stirling County West bowlers have failed to reach the Hamilton Trophy quarter-finals.
A 17-shot win over Clackmannan and Kinross on Saturday, coupled with nearest contenders Ayrshire losing, saw both sides tied on 10 points but Ayrshire progressed with a far superior shots tally.
Together with LanarkshireWest, Ayrshire will line up in next month’s quarterfinals as qualifiers from the West section.
Saturday’s final encounter at a blustery Alloa Co-op green saw County West finish with four winning rinks.
James Wray, David Stewart, Kevan Frogley and Dougie Kerr won 26-21 against Stuart Dalrymple, while Adam Cockburn, Garry Brown, James Brown and Gary Malcolmson romped to a 29-7 victory over Glen Morton.
Also winning were Daniel McCann, Brian McLaughlin, Lee McCormack and Sandy Deans with a 22-21 victory over Neil Dewar, while another win was carded by Callum Musik, Manny Cruz, Willie Black and Jason Williams with a 24-23 scoreline against Gary Craig.
Losing out were Harvey Robertson, George Young, Bryan Stillie and Billy Guy who went down 24-16 to Neil Solomon, while Alastair McFarlane, John Miller. Danny McCormick and Kenny Murdoch lost 23-20 to Colin Craig. Totals: Stirling County West 137, Clackmannan and Kinross 120. Scottish Ladies Results of Bowls Scotland Ladies District finals played at the Tulliallan green: singles – Pauline Thomson (Alloa East End) 21-8 Jean Fisher (Bridge of Allan); senior singles – Sandra Hardie (Dunblane) 21-6 Gwen Solomon (Tillicoultry); junior singles – Eilidh Weir (Alloa East End) 21-12 Lauren Forgie (Bridge of Allan).
Pairs – Alloa East End (Julie Wallace and Rebecca Craig) 16-15 Spittalmyre (Fiona Robertson and Margaret Reid); triples – Alloa East End (Aimmee Thomson, Mary Miller and Margaret Russell) 19-15 Cambus (Audrey Japp, Liz McKay and Veronica Hislop).
Fours – Tulliallan (Rachel Fairbairn, Janice Hunter, Jean Wallace and Emma Simpson) 19-15 Orwell (Jeannie Jackson, Linda Reid, Sandra Fullerton and Jean Menzies) 15.
Senior fours – Orwell (Jeannie Jackson, Maz Thorn, Sandra Fullerton and Jean Menzies) 16-13 Dunblane (Joan Russell, Ann Graham, Nanette Clarke and Sue Bolton) 13. County The semi-finals of Stirling County championships go ahead tomorrow (Thursday) at Bridge of Allan and Dunblane greens. The final is scheduled for the Burnhead green on Saturday, July 8. League Airthrey Spa green is Friday’s venue for the semi-finals of the Stirling District League. Spittalmyre will play Causewayhead while Bannockburn take on Borestone. The final will be played at Dunblane BC on Friday, July 7. Top Fifteen The opening matches of the City of Stirling Top Fifteen contest go ahead on Thursday, July 6, with defending champions Stirling taking on Spittalmyre.
Other ties are: Bridge of Allan v Airthrey Spa; Bannockburn v Cambusbarron; Balfron v Dunblane; Livilands v Polmaise; Doune Castle v Riverside and Borestone v Callander.
Sponsors for this year’s event are Co-operative Funeralcare and J&W Builders Ltd. Under-25s In their Scottish championship semi-final at Sighthill BC last Sunday Stirlingshire under-25s lost to Grampian 130-101.