Binos back on track after excellent win
STIRLING ALBION ....................................... 2 ANNAN ATHLETIC ....................................... 0
This had the feeling of an important win. Not only did it lift Stirling six points clear of bottom club Brechin City, it cut the gap on fourth-placed Annan to a manageable five points.
It was also an immediate response to the previous week’s setback at Cove Rangers. That 1-0 defeat is Albion’s only loss in nine matches now and Mitch Megginson’s late penalty is the sole goal they have conceded in their past five outings.
This was a hugely satisfying afternoon for Kevin Rutkiewicz and his players although the win didn’t feel as routine as the scoreline might suggest. The goals came at good times – Danny Jardine struck in the closing minutes of the first half and Darryl Duffy grabbed the clincher midway through the second period when Peter Murphy’s men were starting to knock on the door.
Stirling didn’t get through the game completely unscathed, though, as Duffy saw red for kicking out at defender Ayrton Sonkur as the clock ticked towards 90 minutes. It was a moment of madness from the former Airdrie striker and he is now set for a two-match ban.
Dylan Bikey made a welcome return to action after missing the previous five matches and full-back Craig Truesdale also returned to the squad but Josh Peters, Jordan Lowdon and Gareth Rodger were joined on the sidelines by midfield trio David Wilson, Kevin Nicoll and Dom Docherty.
Defender Kyle Banner made his first appearance since the 1-0 win over Elgin on September 14 and performed well in an unusual midfield role as the Binos notched up back-to-back home wins without conceding a goal.
Annan arrived at Forthbank on the back of home victories over Cowdenbeath and Brechin in the space of a week but had lost 2-1 on their previous visit in January and were fortunate to escape with a 0-0 draw when the teams met at Galabank in September.
On a cold autumn afternoon, Stirling looked the more likely team to score in the first half. They didn’t force former Forthbank No 1 Chris Smith into too many saves but Duffy and Banner came close with headers and there was a penalty shout waved away when Duffy tumbled in the box.
The opener came seven minutes before the interval. Annan boss Murphy was unhappy with his side’s defending for both goals but from a Stirling viewpoint there was plenty to admire.
Sean Heaver did well to hang up an inviting cross from the left and it cleared a defender, allowing Jardine to score with a well-executed diving header. It was the former St Johnstone midfielder’s first goal in almost exactly 12 months – his previous one had come in a 1-1 draw with Clyde at Broadwood on November 10 last year.
Annan were better after the break and former St Mirren winger Nathan Flanagan looked a threat when he got on the ball. Substitute Tommy Muir was also lively and forced two fine saves from Blair Currie but by that stage Albion had fashioned a twogoal advantage.
Skipper Ross McGeachie did well on the right and his cross was missed by a defender, allowing Duffy to profit. The 35 year-old spurned a golden chance at Cove but he was clinical here – burying a fine finish into the corner for his third goal of the season.
Duffy’s red mist took a slight edge off the day but this was a valuable three points and another shutout for League 2’s meanest defence going into Saturday’s Scottish Cup tie with Clyde at Forthbank.
Stirling Albion: Currie, McGeachie, Creaney, Banner, McLean, McGregor, Jardine, Bikey (Truesdale 89), Heaver (Wright 81), Duffy, Willis (Thomson 90). Subs not used: Binnie (GK), Scott, Mackin, Hawke.
Annan Athletic: Smith, Barr, Walker (Ballantyne 52), Bradley, Sonkur, Swinglehurst, McLean, Wilkie (Holt 87), Nade, Watson (Muir 46), Flanagan. Subs not used: Avci (GK), Griffiths, Joseph, McLear.
Referee: Chris Graham
Crowd: 512