BINOS FIRED UP BY LAST DEFEAT
Defender says team will be ready for Montrose
Stirling Albion defender Ross Smith insists they will use the bitter disappointment of Saturday’s 3-2 home defeat to Clyde as a driving force this weekend.
Dave Mackay’s men head for Links Park for a top-of- the-table clash against a Montrose side who are just a point behind them and who remain unbeaten after a 1-1 draw at Peterhead.
Stirling won 3-1 on their last visit in March and are going for a hat-trick of away league victories in 2017/18 after already coming from behind to beat both Stenhousemuir (3-2) and Peterhead (4-2).
Stewart Petrie’s side have conceded only three goals in five matches in Ladbrokes League 2 and were worthy 3-1 winners when the teams met in the IRNBRU Cup at Forthbank last month.
Former Dundee United and Peterhead centre-half Smith knows an improvement is required against a strong and experienced Montrose team following the poor performance against Clyde.
The 25 year-old said: “I think we all know that it wasn’t good enough from the team on Saturday. Losing the goal just before half-time was a blow – if we had gone in 1-0 up, even though we weren’t performing, it would have given us something to hold on to for the second half.
“Even at 1-1, we still felt we could kick on but losing the goal so early in the second half made it an uphill battle. The goals we lost were unacceptable really; myself and all the boys know that.
“We’ve still got 12 points out of 15, and we would have taken that, but to lose our winning streak the way we did was disappointing. If we lost because we were battered then fair enough but I think we are all just gutted that we didn’t perform and that’s why we lost.
“David Goodwillie is a good player and has been his whole career. Second half he got the better of us. We just need to look forward to the Montrose game now and we have the type of boys in the dressing room who can turn it round – it’s just one match.
“I know Montrose beat us in the IRN-BRU Cup but that’s not an issue – this is a totally different game – a different team and a different situation. We’ll have a good week at training and we’ll go up there confident like we always do and try and get three points.”
Midfielder Sean Dickson and striker Andy Little again miss out this weekend as the Binos aim to end Montrose’s unbeaten start. The Gable Endies have taken four points out of six at Links Park so far, drawing 1-1 with Stenhousemuir and edging out Cowdenbeath 1-0.
Binos boss Mackay has named the same starting XI for the last three league games and must now decide whether to freshen things up after the defeat to Clyde or stick by the same line-up for the fourth match running.
Meanwhile, Stirling Albion’s U20 side came from two goals down to beat Livingston 4-3 on the Almondvale plastic on Tuesday night.
Ross Cameron scored the winner from the penalty spot with Connor McMullan, Kyle Banner and Alberto Vezza also on target for Andy Todd’s side.
Their next game in the SPFL Development League East is at home to local rivals Alloa Athletic on Monday, September 18, with an 8pm kick-off on the Forthbank plastic.