Binos fans finally have something to cheer about
Win over Berwick puts a smile on their faces
There hasn’t been much to cheer at Forthbank this season but the smiles returned as Stirling easily saw off Berwick on a dreich and blustery afternoon.
This was an impressive and stylish victory for Kevin Rutkiewicz’s side and the scoreline in no way flattered them.
A first Stirling goal for recent signing Dylan Mackin and first strikes of the season for Danny Jardine and Neil McLaughlin sealed a comprehensive win.
Albion could easily have scored six and even contrived to miss two penalties in the space of 60 seconds midway through the second half.
McLaughlin took the first after being tripped in the box but his weak effort was saved by Sean Brennan only for the keeper to bring down the onloan Motherwell man as he went after the rebound.
Trialist Michael McIndoe stepped up for the second spotkick and thundered it against the crossbar.
It’s probably just as well that midfielder Dom Docherty was booked for diving in the box a few minutes later given Albion’s troubles from 12 yards recently.
Peter MacDonald (twice), Darren Smith and Andy Little all missed penalties last season and Jordan Allan did likewise against Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup last month.
This was Rutkiewicz’s second game in charge – the first a 1-0 defeat to Edinburgh City – and it was one to savour.
Stirling didn’t look like a team who had lost their last five matches as they gained revenge for an opening-day defeat to the Borderers at Shielfield.
Calum Ferrie, Darren Barr, Lee Hamilton, Mark Stewart and MacDonald all missed out, while Berwick were without half a dozen players because of injury and suspension for their first visit to Forthbank since a 2-0 defeat here in January.
The teams started level on six points near the foot of the table, above only Albion Rovers, but it didn’t look that way on the pitch.
Berwick created one or two decent openings and Cammy Binnie made a couple of good saves but this was a game Albion largely dominated.
It was only their second success at Forthbank since beating Clyde in February and the ideal boost going into this weekend’s clash at Broadwood.
Danny Lennon’s men, who ended Edinburgh City’s 12-match winning run, will provide a much sterner examination, but Stirling will make the short journey to Cumbernauld boosted by this badly-needed three points.
Albion went into the Berwick game having failed to score in six of their 10 matches in League 2 this season, but they thrived in the open spaces as the visitors toiled. It was a strong showing throughout the team but former St Johnstone midfielder Jardine was a worthy man of the match and trialist McIndoe didn’t look like he’ll turn 39 next month.
The former Scotland B cap, who spent his career in England before a recent stint with Clydebank, brought class and composure to the proceedings.
Mackin, an ex-Well and Livi forward, had forced a smart stop from Brennan and headed against the crossbar before Stirling made the breakthrough in the 16th minute.
Jardine was the creator with a perfect delivery from the right flank and McLaughlin had a simple finish from six yards out at the back post.
Ten minutes later Albion netted again. This time it was a good ball in from Docherty that provided the opportunity for Mackin to get across trialist centre-half Neil Hastings and steer the ball past Brennan.
The third goal duly arrived early in the second half when Jardine nodded home an inswinging corner from McIndoe and the final haul should have been higher.
There were several notable chances on top of the double penalty miss but Jardine had an effort wrongly disallowed for offside before he and Docherty were thwarted by Brennan.
Mackin had a shot blocked and Jardine drove wide when he should have scored, but three goals were enough and it was the performance as much as the result that caught the eye.
Tougher tests await but this was good to watch and the long-suffering fans showed their appreciation at the end.
Stirling Albion: Binnie, McGeachie, Allan, Moon (Hughes 70), Horne (Banner 36), Marr, Jardine, Docherty, Mackin, McIndoe (Smith 78), McLaughlin. Subs not used: Law (GK), Thomson, McLaren, Rutkiewicz.