Binos cruise to another victory
Premier Division: Giffnock North v Milton.
Division 1A: Cambusbarron Rovers v FC Dal Riata; Kilsyth v Doune Castle.
Division 1B: Holytown Colts v Stirling University; Rhu v Dunblane Soccer Academy.
President’s Cup: Callander Thistle v Eaglesham. BERWICK RANGERS ............................ 1 STIRLING ALBION ................................ 2
Stirling Albion returned north with a deserved three points from a windswept Shielfield on Saturday.
A Dylan Mackin penalty and a Darren Smith header had the Binos cruising to a fifth win in their last six matches before a stunning strike from Lewis Barr ensured an anxious last few minutes.
This result and Annan’s 1-1 draw with Clyde means Kevin Rutkiewicz’s side had the opportunity to move to within a point of the play-offs when they hosted bottom club Albion Rovers in a rearranged fixture at Forthbank last night (Tuesday).
Stirling lost 1-0 under sunny skies at Shielfield on the opening day but gained revenge here to extend their impressive run to just one defeat in 12 matches. Rutkiewicz lost his first game in charge to Edinburgh City in October but only Peterhead have beaten the Binos since then.
The town on the River Tweed was again bathed in sunshine but a cold wind blasting across the pitch made life difficult for the players – and the fans braving the elements on the terracing – but unlike further up at the coast at Arbroath there was never any chance of this fixture being abandoned.
The match was preceded by a minute’s applause for Ian ‘Pea’ Oliver, who had served Berwick in a variety of roles over more than half a century and was still working as the kitman until his sudden passing on Thursday. A hugely popular and well-known figure in Scottish football circles, he will be much missed at Shielfield and beyond.
Dom Docherty returned from a twomatch ban in place of Archie Thomas, whose loan spell from Dundee United was cut short due to injury. Peter MacDonald, who was sidelined with a back niggle, was replaced by Max Wright.
St Mirren loan signing Scott Glover was on the bench and made his debut as a late substitute and there was also a second “debut” for fellow sub Lewis McLear, who had a previous spell on loan from Saints and was snapped up following his recent departure from Albion Rovers.
The visitors were kicking down the not inconsiderable Shielfield slope in the first half and started strongly. Wright had the ball in the net inside five minutes after Sean Brennan had pushed out Smith’s powerful shot but the flag was up for offside.
Smith himself was denied by an offside flag – it looked a very close call – when he latched on to a through ball from Ronan Hughes and netted with a cool finish as Albion were again frustrated.
Calum Ferrie had to look lively to push away a free-kick at the other end and Dougie Brydon missed a half chance for Johnny Harvey’s team, who had lost their previous game 7-1 to Queen’s Park.
The opening goal came two minutes from the break when Docherty’s cross from the right struck Ross Brown on the arm just inside the box. It looked a harsh penalty award but Mackin ignored the complaints to confidently tuck away his sixth goal for Stirling.
Berwick have now lost all five games in 2019 and offered little in the second half. Albion were comfortable without creating too many clear chances but Wright tested Brennan and Docherty fired narrowly wide before the decisive second goal from Smith.
He met Evan Horne’s cross from the right and steered a header into the far corner for his seventh goal in his last nine appearances. Smith almost scored again a minute later when he went round the keeper but the angle was tight and his finish was just too high.
The Borderers hadn’t even forced a corner but conjured up a goal out of nothing with a couple of minutes left - and it was a special one at that. On-loan Livingston midfielder Matthew Knox provided the assist and former East Fife midfielder Barr sent the ball up and over Ferrie from well outside the box.
There was an anxious moment when Berwick earned a stoppage-time free kick 25 yards out but that one went over the bar and Stirling closed out a win that was more comfortable than the scoreline suggests, ahead of their road trip to Elgin this weekend.
Berwick Rangers: Brennan, Forbes, Orru (Adamson 67), Wilson, Hume (Knox 81), Healy, Aloulou (Ogilvie 73), Barr, McIlduff, Brydon, Brown. Subs not used: Murphy, Cook, Rose, Carlin (GK).
Stirling Albion: Ferrie, McGeachie, Allan, Hughes, Horne, McGregor, Jardine (Glover 88), Docherty, Mackin, Smith (McLear 82), Wright (McLaughlin 82). Subs not used: Thomson, Banner, Ashmore, Binnie (GK).
Referee: Stephen Brown Crowd: 437