BINOS CRYING OUT FOR GOALS
Boss Rutkiewicz bemoans another blank
Stirling Albion take on Albion Rovers at Forthbank tomorrow on the back of a fivematch unbeaten run in League 2 but seeking only their second win of the season.
The worst goals-for record in the division and the second-best defensive stats have seen Kevin Rutkiewicz’s side draw four games in a row.
Tuesday’s 0-0 stalemate at home to Cowdenbeath saw them move off the bottom of the table and to within a point of Kevin Harper’s side, who lost 3-0 away to leaders Cove Rangers.
Stirling were beaten 2-1 by Rovers in Coatbridge at the end of August, in a game in which they were in command until Kevin Nicoll then Paul McLean were sent off.
This weekend’s match is vital for the Binos, who then travel to Cove on November 9, and Rutkiewicz is frustrated they are not going into it on the back of a midweek success.
He said: “We should have won. We were by far the better team.
“Cowden were not without chances and could have scored in the first couple of minutes after some good play when the boy slides in and hits the post, but from then on I don’t remember them having
many chances.
“I want to say we dominated, but what I will say is that we were the team probing and zonally we were dominating, although they looked a threat on the counter because we were pushing players forward.
“Cowdenbeath are sitting third in the table but on the basis of that performance, they are not a better team than us so we need to take confidence from that.
“That’s three or four clean sheets in the last six games. We’ve been on the right road for a while but I’m obviously disappointed with the goals return.”
He added: “People have got to take responsibility – it’s not just about strikers.
“Jordan McGregor could have had two goals – a header in the first half and one near the end when he took too long to get his shot away.
“Max Wright when he came on could have been a bit more decisive and we had a few stramashes after corners. We were maybe a bit reactive at times rather than anticipating and gambling but if we keep creating chances like we have been then we’ll start scoring.
“It might well be that in one game we only create three chances and take three – if I’m getting that level of effort and performance from the players then there is only one way we are going.
“We don’t need to be scared of anyone – we are going the right way.”
Striker Josh Peters is facing at least another fortnight on the sidelines but Dylan Bikey was training before the Cowdenbeath match on Tuesday and Gareth Rodger is making good progress from a knee injury. Full-backs Jordan Lowdon and Craig Truesdale are both still out.