Five-in-a-row as Binos halt Clyde win run
Stirling Albion .2 Clyde ................ 1 Stirling Albion’s fantastic February continued on Saturday as they saw off in-form Clyde to make it five victories in a row.
Dave Mackay’s men went into last night’s rearranged game at home to Edinburgh City having strengthened their grip on third place following Stenhousemuir’s defeat at Annan.
It was no surprise that Darren Smith and Peter MacDonald got the goals but this was a superb all-round team performance to defeat a Clyde side who have been revived under Danny Lennon and his assistant Allan Moore, who enjoyed three promotions in his eight-year stint as Binos boss.
It was an unhappy return to Forthbank for Moore as Stirling maintained the momentum that began on the last day of January with a 1-0 win in a horrible game against bottom club Cowdenbeath. Victories over Elgin City, Cowdenbeath (again), Annan and now Clyde have followed and Albion are looking very well placed to at least be involved in the playoffs.
Mackay was without four midfielders - Willie Robertson, Sean Dickson, Connor McMullan and Andy Black - so teenager George Stanger came in for only his second start and put in an assured display that belied his inexperience.
New signing Craig Wight was on the bench as a backup keeper and there was a welcome return to the squad for Andy Little after 10 months out through injury. The former Rangers striker managed the last 15 minutes as a replacement for MacDonald.
There were just over 1000 fans inside Forthbank – including 280 travelling supporters – and they witnessed a keenly-contested game. There was some good football played and plenty of incident – Albion had three penalty appeals waved away and MacDonald was booked for diving at one of them.
Clyde also had a spot-kick shout of their own dismissed right at the end while Stirling felt they were denied a third goal when MacDonald’s effort appeared to have crossed the line before being hooked clear by Callum Home.
It was a cold afternoon but Stirling are on a hot streak. So poor at home in the months leading up to the turn of the year, they have completely reversed their fortunes and this was a fifth straight success here.
A good start always helps and the Binos were in front after just four minutes. Darren Smith made a positive run into the box and drilled a low shot beyond Blair Currie for his 24th goal of the campaign. He was denied a second by a smart save by Currie but Clyde came more into the game as the half wore on and equalised in 38 minutes.
A free-kick from just outside the area was played short - it looked like a wasted opportunity but Albion failed to clear their lines and the ball eventually found its way to towering midfielder Kevin Nicoll to net from close range.
Clyde started the second half brightly and Cammy Binnie, who made one outstanding save in the first half following a corner, pushed away a longrange effort from Chris McStay before the son of Celtic legend Paul struck the outside of the post with another shot from distance.
Stirling always posed a threat and grabbed what proved to be the winner as the hour mark approached. Ross Kavanagh did well on the right and pulled the ball back for MacDonald, who swept it past Currie for his 10th goal of the season. It was a confident finish from the 37 year-old, who has now scored in four consecutive games.
David Goodwillie had netted seven goals in his last five matches for Clyde and was outstanding when Clyde won 3-2 here in September but there is more resilience about this Stirling side and the former Scotland striker was kept relatively quiet by a back four brilliantly marshalled by captain for the day Darren Barr.
Darren Smith was named man of the match by the sponsors but it could have been just about anyone in a red shirt.
Stirling Albion: Binnie, McGeachie, Hamilton, McNeil (Noble 82), Barr, Moon (Caddis 84), Stanger, Jardine, MacDonald (Little 76), D Smith, Kavanagh. Subs not used: Wight (GK), Banner, R Smith, McLaughlin.