Another three points in Rover’s league campaign
Stirling Albion moved to within two points of leaders Kelty Hearts after notching up their third straight win in cinch League 2 on Saturday.
Substitute Dylan Bikey scored the only goal with nine minutes left to settle a close contest and end Forfar’s unbeaten start to the campaign.
The result also saw the Binos leapfrog the Loons into third place and another victory in their Friday night fixture against Edinburgh City would take them to the top of the table.
There wasn’t much between the teams and Forfar manager Gary Irvine felt his side deserved something from the game but instead they suffered a first defeat, having won twice then drawn three times up to the end of August.
It’s been an impressive response from Stirling to the setbacks against Kelty Hearts and Annan Athletic last month. Forfar had won 3-0 on both visits to Forthbank when the clubs were last in the same division in 2016/17 but it was
HOLYTOWN COLTS ..... ....................................................... 1 CAMBUSBARRON ROVERS ................................................ 7
The Rovers picked up another three points in their league campaign, opening the scoring in the fifth minute when Gianni DeLuca ran onto a through ball and chipped the keeper.
The Colts equalised when the ball was played in with nobody marking their striker and he scored.
This was the wake up call for Rovers and they went back rescue with a big save.
The Station Park side, who were relegated in May, were brighter in the second period and enjoyed some good spells of play. A huge moment in the match arrived on the hour mark when slack defending allowed midfielder Craig Thomson to go one-on-one with Currie but the Stirling No 1 pulled off a tremendous save to keep the scoreline blank.
The introduction of Marc Laird and Bikey midway through the second half seemed to lift the home side and the lively Bikey set up Kurtis Roberts, whose shot didn’t miss the far post by much. in front with a well worked goal when Smith, Valentine, and DeLuca combined to set up Callum McLaren to score.
A minute later they extended their lead with Declan Valentine supplying the finish to another good move and on 33 minutes the lead was increased further when following a corner Callum McLaren controlled the ball and stroked it into the net
In the 49th minute the Colts had a free kick well struck into the top corner forcing Calum Gray into a good save to maintain the Rovers lead before an Owen Smith free
A draw still looked the likely outcome but, with time running out, Bikey claimed his first goal of the season to secure a vital victory. Roberts delivered a corner from the left, central defender Adam Cummins nodded the ball down, and Bikey did well to send a volley past McCallum to the delight of the home supporters in the crowd of 508.
Stirling Albion – Currie, McGeachie, McNiff, Cummins, McGregor, Grant (Laird 67), Carrick (Bikey 67), Roberts, Mackin (Heaver 87), Leitch, Scally (Moore 16). Subs (not used): Law (GK), Banner, Watson, Greenhorn, Omar.
Crowd – 508 kick into the box saw Gianni DeLuca score a fine goal with an overhead kick.
Sandro DeLuca scored within a minute of coming on when his shot went in off the post.
The Rovers had another couple of chances before Louis McPherson completed the scoring when he headed home at the back post with five mins remaining.
Rovers are at home on Saturday, September 18, when local rivals Doune Castle visit Mill Road Park in another league game. Kick off at 2pm.