Stirling Observer

Ladbroke’s League Two

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goal of the season. Albion had to do without half a dozen players through injury - Willie Robertson, Peter MacDonald, Ross Smith, Scott Davidson, Liam Caddis and Steven Noble were all ruled out.

There was a first start for Kyle Banner at right-back and 17-year- old George Stanger was handed a debut in midfield.

Both can be proud of their performanc­es in a game that marked Mackay’s first anniversar­y in charge – remarkably Sean Dickson is the only player who started at Broadwood and who also began the 3-2 victory over Elgin City at Borough Briggs 12 months ago.

The Bully Wee should have scored inside 20 seconds when a through ball caused confusion in the Albion defence and Darren Ramsay nipped in but McGeachie did well to block his net-bound shot.

Stirling’s best player on a bitingly cold afternoon in Cumbernaul­d was Cammy Binnie. The goalkeeper lost his place to Mark Foden for a short spell but was excellent here.

In the first half he made a vital block from the lively Goodwillie who got in behind the defence then checked into the area off the left flank, and made a couple of terrific stops after the break.

The second half was just a few minutes old when Barry Cuddihy looked set to score but Binnie batted away his powerful shot and later saved from Goodwillie who had been allowed to turn.

Towering midfielder Kevin Nicoll should have fired Clyde in front in 53 minutes when he found himself free in the box. He arrowed a shot towards the corner but the ball came back off the base of the post and the followup was diverted wide.

Stirling had come close in the first half when Darren Smith nudged a Callumn Morrison cross wide at the far post. The on-loan Hearts winger was always willing to run at defenders but clear-cut chances were proving hard to come by for the visitors.

However, Albion have scored in every League 2 game this season and maintained that record. Substitute Neil McLaughlin, on loan from Partick Thistle, was the creator with a brilliant ball in from the left and Smith had a simple finish in front of the big travelling support.

It was a contest that had the look of the first goal being the winner but it was not to be. An innocuous ball launched into the box from the left brought Clyde their equaliser, apparently for a foul by Ewan McNeil on Kieran Duffie. There was general disbelief at the award but Goodwillie ignored the protests to coolly score from 12 yards.

In a frantic finish, McGeachie was denied a penalty when he seemed to be hauled back by a defender as it ended all square.

 ?? 131117SALB­ION_01 ?? Heads up Ross McGeachie was denied a last-minute penalty
131117SALB­ION_01 Heads up Ross McGeachie was denied a last-minute penalty
 ??  ?? Dangerous cross Callumn Morrison had another fine game for Stirling
Dangerous cross Callumn Morrison had another fine game for Stirling

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