OPENING GAMBIT
Binos praised for League 2 debut
Stirling Albion manager Dave Mackay praised his side for the second-half comeback as they began their League 2 campaign with a 3-2 win at Stenhousemuir on Saturday.
The Binos trailed 2-1 at the break but were much improved in the second half and Callumn Morrison and Ross Kavanagh struck to secure an important early victory.
Albion now have three home games in a row – against Berwick Rangers on Saturday, Montrose next Tuesday in the IRN-BRU Cup and Edinburgh City on Saturday, August 19 – before they head north to face title favourites Peterhead at the end of the month.
Looking back on Saturday’s local derby, Mackay said: “We were really poor in the first half. Other than the first five minutes, when we had a bit of pressure, we didn’t get going at all – we were second to everything and they deservedly went in at half-time in front.
“Second half, we got a great response and we created a lot of chances. We hit the post, hit the bar and Ross Kavanagh went round the keeper and had it cleared off the line. On the balance of the second half I feel we definitely deserved to win.
“We had a go at them at half-time because it was nowhere near good enough but they know that anyway. We didn’t do the stuff which we are good at it, like pressing high up the pitch which is how we got Callumn Morrison’s goal in the second half.”
The on-loan Hearts winger Morrison was Stirling’s best player, scoring his third goal of the season and being denied another by the width of the crossbar.
Mackay added: “We struggled to get Callumn on the ball much in the first half, and when we did his end product wasn’t the quality you expect, but in the second half you saw with his goal that the defender is terrified and I would be as well when he faces you up oneon-one.
“He has that pace but he can also cut inside so he is unpredictable – he’s a great asset and we are delighted to have him.”
“When they see a performance like the second half they will get behind you. They want to see exciting football and I was excited watching the second half, although the first half was hopeless!
“It’s only a start and we have a tough one now against Berwick. They had a good result against Clyde and there are no easy games in this division. There’s not much between any of the teams but the next two are at home and we need to make Forthbank a hard place for teams to come.”
The Binos boss confirmed that skipper Willie Robertson missed out at the weekend due to an injury picked up in the Betfred Cup.
He said: “Willie has had a knock on the sole of his foot since the Inverness game and there is some bad bruising I think. He trained on Thursday night but he was really feeling it by Friday afternoon so there was no point risking him.
“Willie’s game is all about getting about the park but he’s had a few niggles that’s prevented him getting a run in the team – once he is fully fit he will be a real asset.”