Mackay: That first half Blue me away
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Stirling Albion manager Dave Mackay declared his side’s firsthalf display at Peterhead as the best performance since he took over last November.
Darren Smith grabbed a double and Ross Kavanagh and Callumn Morrison were also on target as the Binos stormed into a 4-1 interval lead after Paul Cairney netted early on for the Blue Toon.
Rory McAllister pulled one back from the penalty spot but Stirling ran out worthy 4-2 winners against the title favourites to stay two points clear in Ladbrokes League 2 with a 100 per cent record.
Mackay said: “We didn’t get going at the start and conceded a really poor goal but the response from then until half-time was easily the best performance in my time at the club.
“The half-time whistle came at the wrong time because if the game had gone on another five or 10 minutes we could have scored another two or three goals. Second half we didn’t hit the heights but we gave ourselves enough of a cushion to see the game out.
“I firmly believe that if we play anywhere near our best we will win but unfortunately football is not as easy as that because it’s not every week you can play your best. I was expecting a good performance at Peterhead and we got one.”
Darren Smith and Ross Kavanagh have now scored in all four League 2 games and the Binos are top scorers in the SPFL, along with Ayr United and Dunfermline Athletic, on 13 goals.
The Albion boss added: “It’s great that we are not relying on one person for the goals. Darren and Ross have made a great start and Callumn Morrison is starting to add goals to his game as well. I’m sure Peter MacDonald will start scoring soon but he is bringing an awful lot to the team with his all-round performance.
“We’ve got the likes of Sean Dickson and Liam Caddis who will get goals as well and there was certainly no panic from myself or the players when Peterhead went ahead because we create plenty chances in every game we play.”
Stirling have no game this weekend after losing to Montrose in the first round of the IRN-BRU Cup earlier this month and Mackay admits the September fixtures against Clyde, Montrose, Annan Athletic and Elgin City can’t come quick enough.
He said: “As a player I used to dread the international breaks coming up because I wanted to be playing every week and it’s no different as a manager. I’d much rather we had games coming up but it’s a chance for some of the guys to rest up a bit at the weekend and we’ll set a programme to make sure we are ready for Clyde in a couple of weeks.
“I’m not worried about the break – it’s not as if the guys are going off on stag parties or anything like that! We’ve got a really good group and I think they are determined to do well and achieve something good. They are not going to lose the fitness they have built up over the past month.”
Mackay is delighted with the start his side have made but cautioned: “It’s only four games - it’s such a long, long way to go.
“Forfar started with an incredible run last year but ran out of gas towards the end, although they managed to get up via the play-offs.
“We are not going to get carried away. We are working very hard and I would say we are the fittest team in the league.
“I would be surprised if anyone could match us and I always feel that we can carry things through, whether we are chasing a game or winning it.
“We work the players hard but you have to make it an enjoyable environment as well, which I think we do.”