Win gets Albion nearer to play-offs
STIRLING ALBION ................................... 2 ANNAN ATHLETIC .................................... 1
Stirling Albion’s third straight win moved them to within four points of the play-offs and had the feeling of a potentially significant result, writes DAVID OGILVIE.
A double from 38 year-old striker Peter MacDonald proved decisive, with Tommy Muir equalising for the visitors in a tight contest that was always hard fought.
MacDonald’s winner, his fifth goal of the season, came 13 minutes from the end and 10 minutes after midfielder Dom Docherty had been dismissed for an offthe-ball incident.
There was a resilience about Stirling’s display, just as there had been in the previous week’s victory over leaders Edinburgh City, and it’s just one defeat in nine now for Kevin Rutkiewicz’s men. Only Clyde have picked up more points over the past half dozen games - it’s playoff form and that has to be the target now.
Annan still occupy fourth spot and the Binos are also behind Cowdenbeath and Elgin City but the gap is closing.
Nothing can be taken for granted in football but this Saturday’s home fixture with out-of-form Queen’s Park and the following week’s trip to bottom club Albion Rovers offer an opportunity to continue the climb.
Annan won 2-1 at Forthbank in September and a repeat result would have seen Stirling slip 10 points behind Peter Murphy’s men. It was vital the Binos didn’t lose but they went one better than the 2-2 draw at Galabank in November to notch up a fourth successive home victory.
It was an unchanged side on a mild and dry but breezy afternoon. Kevin Moon, Lee Hamilton and Mark Stewart were again ruled out and none look likely to return any time soon. New signings Jordan McGregor and Max Ashmore were on the bench and the latter came on with 20 minutes remaining.
It was a battle at times and there were never too many clear-cut chances. The first goal in any game is crucial but somehow if felt even more so here and Stirling got it after 20 minutes when Danny Jardine, who last week signed a new contract, delivered a low cross from the left wing and MacDonald prodded a low shot beyond Alex Mitchell from six yards.
The former Clyde forward was out of the starting XI for nine matches after an injury at the end of September. This was his fourth goal of the season but his first since the 3-0 stroll at Elgin City at the beginning of that month. He nearly had another one soon after but his powerful header from a Docherty free-kick smacked against the crossbar.
Annan were gifted a way back into this match shortly after the half-hour mark. On a bobbly pitch it was never a day for taking too many touches but full-back Jordan Allan had plenty time to deal with what should have been a routine clearance. Instead he dallied and allowed Ross Fergusson to nick it away - although Calum Ferrie did well to block his shot, ex-Dalbeattie Star striker Muir followed up to knock the ball into the empty net for his sixth goal of the season.
For the next half hour neither keeper was seriously tested but the home side were reduced to 10 men midway through the second half when Docherty, unhappy at the award of a free-kick to Annan, motioned his head towards Scott Hooper in the aftermath. There didn’t appear to be any contact but the intent was enough for referee Colin Steven to send the midfielder packing.
Stirling’s response to their first red card of the season was impressive. A draw would have been a decent outcome but they went after a winner and got it when Dylan Mackin, on for Darren Smith, nodded Allan’s free kick across goal and MacDonald, with the angle narrowing, thumped it home from close range.
Mackin then lashed a shot against the bar from 16 yards before a late scare when Muir sent the ball over the bar from a good position but Albion held on.
We’ll leave the last word to Annan boss Peter Murphy: “I’ve got to hand it to Stirling – they made it even harder for us when they went down to 10 men. Kevin is putting together a good team – they were the better side on the day.”
Stirling Albion: Ferrie, McGeachie, Allan, Hughes, Horne, Banner, Jardine, Docherty, MacDonald (McLaughlin 90), Smith (Mackin 70), Thomson (Ashmore 70). Subs not used: Binnie (GK), Marr, McGregor, McLaren.
Annan Athletic: Mitchell, Hooper, Creaney, Wilson, Bradley, Swinglehurst, Moxon (Wallace 78), Sinnamon, Smith, Muir, Fergusson (Johnston 60). Subs not used: McAdams (GK), Sonkur, Watson, Strapp. Pts 47 44 42 28 25 25 24 20 14 7
Fixtures: Saturday, Janaury 19
Ladbrokes League 2 Stirling Albion v Queen’s Park Lowland League Football Nation Qualifying Cup: Penicuik Athletic v Stirling University RJM Sports Stirling & District AFA Premier Division: Beechwood Albion v Raploch Hearts; Braehead v AFC Chryston; Clackmannan Community v Campsie FC; Dunipace v Westquarter Violet; Kincardine v Barrhill. Division 1: Newpark v Bo’ness United. League Cup: Section 1 - Condorrat v Dollar Glen; Westfield Colts v Loganlea United. Section 2 - Riverside v Carbrain Boys; MLS Leeds v Drumpellier. RJM Sports East of Scotland Cup fourth round: Bo’ness Cadora v Steins Thistle; Callander Thistle v Syngenta; Edinburgh South Vics v Alva; Sandys v Pennies. Caledonian League Premier Division: Milton v Dalziel HSFP. Division 1B: Stirling University v St Mungo’s. RJM Sports East of Scotland Cup fourth round: Callander Thistle v Syngenta; Doune Castle v Fauldhouse; Mill v Cambusbarron Rovers; Barca Milton v Dunblane Soccer Academy. Foster’s Central Scottish AFA Alona Hotel West of Scotland Cup fourth round: Colville Park E v Bannockburn. RJM Sports East of Scotland Cup fourth round: Stenhousemuir Community v Fallin.
Milton through on penalties
Giffnock North 1-1 Milton (Milton won 7-6 on pens)
An injury-time equaliser and a win on penalties saw Milton through to the next round of the William Turner Challeng Cup at Giffnock North on Saturday.
The game was even early on with chances at either end - Shaddick was unlucky after McGuckin set him up while McLeish saved well to prevent the home team from opening the scoring.
On the half hour mark Giffnock made it 1-0 but just before the interval, Rodger scored what everyone thought was the equaliser - except the referee who deemed it offside.
The second half was end to end, Giffnock were unlucky not to double their lead but McLeish made a great save and wWith time running out Robertson almost got the goal Milton deserved only to be foiled by the keeper.
With five minutes to go Milton went for broke and literally threw everything at Giffnock and were rewarded in the 93rd minute when young Jamie Munro found himself through on the keeper and cooly slotted the ball into the net. Milton were victorious in the penalty shootout 7-6 and go into the next round.