In-form Binos striker going for best-ever goals total
In-form Darren Smith is hoping to help Stirling Albion see off his former club Stenhousemuir at Forthbank tomorrow and set his own record for most goals in a season in the process.
The former Motherwell forward has already bagged 13 goals in all competitions for the Binos and is the SPFL’s top scorer with 10 league goals.
It’s been an outstanding start to the campaign — both for Smith and Dave Mackay’s side, who have a five-point lead over Montrose at the end of the first quarter following a 3-0 away win over Cowdenbeath last weekend.
Smith said: “I’m delighted to have equalled my best ever tally for a season, which was with Stenny a few years ago, so hopefully I’ll be beating it this year!
“It’s been a great first quarter for us. We are looking very strong and it was really important to get a clean sheet and a good performance against Cowdenbeath after what happened in the Scottish Cup.
“It was a very professional performance. We kept the ball well and nullified any threat they posed. We are a group who get on well and I think that showed on the pitch, everyone stuck together and we didn’t panic. Everyone works hard for each other and that’s important if you want to win anything.”
Stirling beat Stenhousemuir 3-2 at Ochilview on the opening day and are seven points in front of the Warriors, who are yet to win on their travels this term but were seven games unbeaten before losing at Elgin last weekend.
Albion were held to a 2-2 draw by Elgin City in their last home league game at the end of September.
Smith added: “We have always got confidence that we will score goals — we have a lot of attacking options. Liam Liam Caddis was very unselfish when he put one on a plate for me in the first half so I’m grateful to him for that!
“It’s a big game against Stenhousemuir as they are up there challenging along with Peterhead and Montrose and with being at home the onus is on us. We have done better away from home but we are still scoring goals at Forthbank and we just need to keep it tight at the back.”
Binos boss Mackay said: “Darren has done great for us this season. One criticism in the past was that he didn’t score enough goals even though his allround play was good but he has certainly added goals to his game. It was a great finish for his goal at Cowdenbeath.”
The referee for tomorrow’s game against Stenhousemuir is Gavin Duncan and kick-off is the usual 3pm. Admission is £13 for adults, £9 for seniors and students, £5 for U16s and free for U12s.