Binos go second after big victory
STIRLING ALBION ...................... 4 COWDENBEATH ........................ 0
Stirling Albion notched up an emphatic 4-0 victory at Forthbank on Saturday to move up to second place in cinch League 2 and send the Blue Brazil to the foot of the table.
It was the Binos’ biggest home victory of Kevin Rutkiewicz’s three years in charge, although they thrashed Brechin City 5-0 and Cowdenbeath 5-1 on their travels last term.
First-half goals from Jack Leitch and Dylan Mackin had Stirling in command and substitutes Dale
Carrick and Sean Heaver both struck late on. The final margin was probably harsh on the visitors, who enjoyed some good spells in the second half and missed a couple of clear chances.
It was a day to enjoy for the Albion supporters, who saw their side notch up a third straight home success to move above Annan Athletic and stay within four points of leaders Kelty Hearts.
Stirling complete the first quarter of their campaign at Elgin on Saturday then have a weekend off before the second phase of 2021/22 begins at home to Stranraer on October 16.
Rutkiewicz made two changes to the side who drew 2-2 at Edinburgh City, with Nathan Flanagan and Marc Laird replacing Carrick and Ray Grant. Paul McLean and Daniel Scally missed out through injury while on-loan Hearts full-back Leo Watson made his debut as a late substitute.
Cowdenbeath arrived on the back of a 1-1 draw with Forfar Athletic at Central Park but a home win against Elgin City remains their only success in League 2 this term.
Stirling were ahead after just six minutes. Kurtis Roberts picked out Leitch with a perfect pass – the midfielder looped a header over former Dunfermline keeper Cammy Gill and nodded in the rebound for his third goal of the season after his initial effort came back off the crossbar.
Mackin should have added a second goal when he headed wide at the back post but he did get his fourth goal of the campaign shortly after the half-hour mark. Dylan Bikey did well on the left flank and played in Leitch, who in turn steered the ball across goal for Mackin to net from around six yards with a sliding finish.
Gary Bollan’s men had offered little in attack but the introduction of striker Kris Renton just before half-time seemed to give them a lift and they were much brighter in the second half.
Bobby Barr fizzed an 18-yard drive narrowly over the bar then veteran forward Liam Buchanan missed the target with a header when he seemed certain to score. Albion were forced to do plenty of defending on their way to a fourth shut-out in eight league games and Jordan McGregor made a timely intervention to thwart Renton.
Stirling finished the match with a flourish, due in no small part to the impact of the substitutes. Carrick forced Gill into a good save before he grabbed the third goal with seven minutes left, reacting quickly to net the rebound after the keeper had parried a fierce drive from Leitch.
Fans’ favourite Heaver, only on the pitch for a couple of minutes, rounded things off with a great run through the middle of the defence and a composed finish to seal Albion’s biggest home win since Berwick Rangers were beaten by the same score in August 2017.
Stirling Albion: Currie, McGeachie, McNiff (Watson 86), Cummins, McGregor, Laird, Flanagan (Moore 79), Roberts, Mackin (Carrick 74), Leitch (Heaver 86), Bikey (Omar 65). Subs not used: Law (GK), Banner, Grant.