Uni have earned the right to dream
Boss praises players after they twice come from behind to grab a point
Stirling Albion manager Kevin Rutkiewicz praised his side for twice coming from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with Annan Athletic at Galabank on Saturday.
Dylan Mackin scored the first equaliser with a well-taken goal and Dominic Docherty earned a share of the spoils with a wonderful 20-yard volley 11 minutes from the end.
It was a third game without defeat for the Binos who have no fixture this weekend due to their Scottish Cup second-round exit to Queen’s Park.
They return to action at home to Elgin City on Saturday, December 1, although that match would require to be rescheduled if Elgin draw their Scottish Cup third-round game against Stirling University at Forthbank this weekend.
Rutkiewicz admits Albion were not at their best against his former club on Saturday but was pleased their hard work yielded a point against the fourth-placed Galabankies.
He said: “We found a way to get a point. In the first half we were second best all over the park and we could have made a number of changes at half-time.
“We made two and there were reasons for the changes – Darren (Barr) had obviously picked up a booking just before half-time and there was maybe a physical/height issue in the first half because Annan were causing us problems but big Kyle (Banner) came on and did really well.
“We were more positive in the second half and came into the game a bit but I think Annan will be disappointed they let it slip after being ahead twice. I just felt we had to change something.
“It’s too easy to go in there, rant and rave and shout and it just becomes a noise. I much prefer being pro-active and trying to do something that also asks different questions of Annan.”
The Binos boss was pleased that his showed resilience against an Annan side who were a threat going forward and who won at Forthbank in September.
He added: “Great credit to the lads because they didn’t give in – it’s happened before this season that games have got away from them. They found a way to stick in as long as possible and it was a bit of quality from Dom for the second goal – it was a fantastic strike, as was Annan’s second goal.
“Were we at our best? No, but the fans will go away knowing the boys have given 100 per cent – they have stayed focused and committed and they have got their just rewards. That’s what hard work can get you but I’ve got to ask for more quality.
“That’s a criticism but sometimes you get Saturdays where the quality isn’t there Stirling University will go into Saturday’s William Hill Scottish Cup fourth round tie with Elgin City knowing they are just one win away from a potential mouth-watering tie against a Premiership side.
The students face the Borough Briggs side at Forthbank after defeating Highland League outfits Deveronvale and Keith and are preparing for what is probably the biggest game in their history.
Coach Chris Geddes said his side will go into the match with nothing to lose.
“We’ve had them watched and they’ve seen us play in a couple of Wednesday matches,” said Geddes.
“But we’ve lost them both so they might not know what to expect.”
The Lowland League side warmed up for the match with a 1-0 defeat to Barry Ferguson’s Kelty Hearts on Saturday and today (Wednesday) they’ll welcome Birmingham in a BUCS League match.
Geddes said: “Since the beginning of the season we’ve been playing two games a week – sometimes travelling down south – so we’re used to it.
“The players are looking forward to it. We’ve played League 2 teams before and we know what to expect and how they will play.
“All the pressure on Saturday will be on Elgin. They are the professional team.
“We’ll play our own game and I just hope we can do ourselves justice.”
The coach and his squad have been under the media spotlight this week with BBC film cameras at the campus and Geddes is hoping it will help bring out some fans for Saturday’s game.
“We’ve had a lot of support from the university and I know a few Stirling Albion fans who are coming to watch us.
“On the day it will be a battle but with a little bit of luck or a little bit of magic, you never know.”
Kick-off on Saturday at Forthbank is 3pm.
and you’ve got to find a way. I put that to them at half-time and they’ve found a way – that’s the players, that’s got nothing to do with any magical tactical decisions. That’s players using their game nous and their togetherness.
“It was two great goals from us – it was a good game of football. Dom’s strike was great and we needed that bit of quality because things were maybe beginning to get away from us.
“He has taken up a really positive position – he’s on the front foot and when the ball comes to him he has shown the quality I think everyone at Stirling Albion knows he has got.
“He has pulled out a worldie and I’m delighted for him. He has been carrying a big burden – it’s been 90 minutes, 90 minutes, 90 minutes.
“He doesn’t miss training and he’s a fantastic professional and that is the reward for him.”