Binos battle but struggle to shine
Frustrating game at Forthbank
STIRLING ALBION ............................................ 0 CLYDE ................................................................. 2
On an afternoon of cup shocks, Stirling ultimately couldn’t add their name to that list despite a good performance against their League 1 opponents.
Albion craved a place in the last 32 in January and put in an excellent first-half display against the Bully Wee. They should have gone in at half time with an advantage but instead were undone by a 45th minute goal from former Forthbank favourite Darren Smith.
The second half was more of a struggle, as Danny Lennon’s team managed the game well and added the clincher in the final minute when David Goodwillie converted a penalty after being brought down by goalkeeper Blair Currie.
It all added up to a hugely frustrating afternoon for the hosts and a feeling of what might have been. Manager Kevin Rutkiewicz couldn’t believe his side weren’t awarded a penalty 15 minutes in when Dylan Bikey appeared to be tripped in the box by Kieran Duffie.
Assistant Martin Hardie was booked by referee Lloyd Wilson for his protests and Rutkiewicz was also yellow carded before the second half kicked off. The game might not have been a classic but it was fiercely contested and Kevin Nicoll was cautioned for a hefty tackle against his former club.
Paul Willis forced a good stop from David Mitchell, Bikey’s penalty claim was waved away then there was a huge moment in the tie when Willis played in Sean Heaver. It was a wonderful chance for the former Bannockburn Amateurs forward but Mitchell pulled off a crucial save.
Clyde hadn’t really threatened but took the lead with a gem of a goal as half time approached. Tony Wallace was afforded too much space on the right to pick out Smith and he guided a first-time finish up and over Currie.
It was Smith’s fourth goal of the season but his celebrations were respectfully muted in recognition of the rapport he enjoyed with the Stirling fans over many years at Forthbank.
The second half proved difficult for Albion against well organised opponents.
Wallace came close to doubling Clyde’s lead then Currie made a terrific save to push a Goodwillie 20-yarder over the bar.
In the 90th-minute Martin McNiff sent Goodwillie clear and he was brought down by Currie. The former Scotland striker bagged his 16th goal of the campaign by dinking his penalty down the middle and the big travelling support celebrated a fourth win in their last five visits to Forthbank.
Stirling Albion: Currie, McGeachie, Creaney, Nicoll, McLean, McGregor, Jardine, Bikey (Wright 83), Heaver (Thomson 83), Mackin (Hawke 88), Willis.
Subs (not used): Binnie (GK), Banner, Wilson, Docherty.
Referee: Lloyd Wilson
Crowd: 820