Binosboss heartened byopener forseason
Stirling Albion boss Dave Mackay was happy with his side’s performance in their first pre-season friendly match against Motherwell at Forthbank on Saturday.
Goals from trialist Shaun Tuton and Ryan Bowman earned the Premiership side a 2-0 victory but the Binos had the better chances before the break.
Mackay said:“I was very pleased with the first half. We looked to have a decent shape about us and we caused them a few problems. We had three or four very decent chances and on another day you would think you would at least take a couple of them but in the second half we never got going.
“It’s difficult with all the changes. Motherwell made 10 at half-time and just looked better in the second half. We struggled to get out and they cut us open a few times. We made seven changes during the second half and it can be difficult for players to get up to the speed of the game.”
On his new signings, the Albion gaffer said:“Peter MacDonald did really well considering he only came back
in on Thursday and only had one training session and Steven Noble also did well. There were a few pleasing performances but the second half became more of a fitness exercise for us.”
In the friendly last night (Tuesday) at Alloa, Mackay planned to mix things up with Darren Smith and Peter MacDonald sitting out and others like Blair Henderson being involved.
He included trialists Lee Hamilton, Jack McCue, John Henderson and Cammy McClair in the squad for the Motherwell game but there are no deals currently on the table.
The manager said:“John and Cammy were in training at the end of last season but I never got the opportunity to see them in games due to circumstances.
“I said to them when they were coming in, that it’s not an area we are desperately needing to strengthen but the facilities are there for them to try to earn a deal.
“I’m after a right-back at the moment and I was open with Lee about that. I offered him facilities for pre-season and he is a fit boy who came in and did quite well against Motherwell so who knows, if it doesn’t materialise with the other guy then maybe there’s something that could happen.”
Meanwhile, defender Ross Smith continues to make progress as he recovers from knee surgery but striker Andy Little is likely to be out for some time yet.
Albion have a closed-door friendly against East Fife on Saturday then meet Lowland League side Cumbernauld Colts on Monday, July 10, with an 8pm kick-off at Broadwood. Admission is £5 for adults, £2 for concessions and free for under-16s.
●The SPFL this week announced increased prize money for all clubs for the 2017 Betfred Cup, which means Stirling Albion will receive a minimum of £17,000 even if they finish bottom of Group A. Dave Mackay’s men are up against Inverness CT, Falkirk, Brechin City and Forfar Athletic and a repeat of last season’s third place would net Stirling Albion £21,000.
The IRN-BRU Cup first-round tie against Montrose at Forthbank has been confirmed for Tuesday, August