BINOS LOOKTO HITTOP FORM Stirling aiming high
Stirling Albion head for the capital this weekend for a Friday night fixture against Edinburgh City at Ainslie Park.
With leaders Kelty Hearts not in action until Saturday – away to Albion Rovers – Kevin Rutkiewicz’s men will go top of the cinch League 2 table if they can record a fourth straight league win.
The Binos edged out Forfar Athletic 1-0 at Forthbank on Saturday thanks to a late goal from substitute Dylan Bikey as they bounced back from a narrow SPFL Trust Trophy defeat at Montrose.
Stirling have climbed to third place after their recent good run and are now level on points with Annan Athletic and two behind a Kelty side who drew 1-1 with Elgin City on Saturday.
Next up is an outing to the north part of Edinburgh, with City having opted for the Friday evening slot for home games to avoid a clash with Hearts or Hibs on a Saturday and hopefully attract more supporters. The Citizens are planning to return to their previous home of Meadowbank Stadium, which is currently undergoing a revamp and is expected to re-open later this season.
Gary Naysmith’s team made a slow start to 2021/22 but have won three of their last four league games, keeping clean sheets in those victories over Stenhousemuir, Elgin City and Stranraer, and are looking to move level on points with Stirling.
Albion assistant manager James Creaney was delighted with Saturday’s 1-0 win over Forfar in a tight game which saw both goalkeepers pull off big saves at key moments.
He said: “The preparation wasn’t great this week due to a few issues but the boys have been outstanding. They have worked hard and shown a great attitude and I think we deserved that result.
“I felt we were probably the better team in the first half – we had some good chances and their goalkeeper has made some terrific saves. Second half, I thought Forfar were better and Blair Currie has made a great save to keep us in the game, then we have taken our chance when it came.”
Stirling have shared the goals around this season, with Bikey getting off the mark with a well-taken finish after Adam Cummins had nodded a Kurtis Roberts corner into his path.
Creaney added: “Dylan was very good at Montrose last week and we spoke to him and said he was close to starting, so I’m pleased he got his goal. I think we got the subs on at the right time in the second half and obviously we lost Daniel Scally to an injury early on. I thought we managed the game well because Forfar are a big team and are very dangerous at set-pieces.
“It’s another big game now against Edinburgh City on Friday night and we are looking forward to it; hopefully the manager will be back for that one.”
Albion take on Edinburgh on Friday night, with a 7.45pm kick off.
The Binos should discover their Scottish Cup second-round opponents next week, with the 30 first-round ties taking place this weekend.
League 2 clubs join the competition in round two – on Saturday, October 23 – while local sides Camelon, Sauchie, Dunipace and Stirling University are all in action in round one.
Albion Lotto
Numbers drawn on September 8 for week 55 of the Stirling Albion Supporters Trust lottery were 15, 25, 26 and 30. There were no jackpot winners so today’s jackpot is £1,170. Three lucky dip winners each receive £20. They are S Kemmett (Cyprus), J McArthur (Cambusbarron), H Young (Stirling).