WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS
Brilliant Binos seal league title with comeback victory
FORTHBANK FAITHFUL INVADE PITCH
STIRLING ALBION ....................... 3 ANNAN ATHLETIC ........................ 1
Stirling Albion secured their first silverware since 2010 as they sealed the League Two title with a dramatic come-frombehind win against Annan Athletic.
The teams were met by a fabulous atmosphere as the Forthbank faithful turned up in numbers hoping for a title party.
The opening ten minutes of the game saw little of note in front of goal as both sides felt their way into the contest.
Stirling had the first chance in the match with ex-annan defender Cammy Clark seeing his shot blocked after Dale Carrick had done well to hook a cross into play.
However, it was the visitors who struck first on 27 minutes to leave Binos fans fearing the worst.
A high ball down the Stirling right was misjudged and fell into the path of Tam Muir, who reached the byline and cut back for Chris Johnston to finish via the underside of the bar.
But as has been the case so often this season, Stirling found an instant response just a minute later to put the bumper crowd back into partying mood.
A teasing Jack Leitch corner from the right was put into his net by Annan defender Max Kilsby under pressure from Jordan Mcgregor.
Annan nearly retook the lead on the half-hour mark when Steven Swinglehurst was found at the back post from a corner, but Blair Currie palmed away his goalbound header.
Annan introduced top scorer Tommy Goss at the break, but it was the Binos who were to strike the decisive blow for the match – and the season – on 56 minutes.
The ball found its way to Kieran Moore at the edge of the box and he played it inside for Jack Leitch to make space and plant a shot into the net from ten yards out.
As has been the case all season, the Binos didn’t give their fans a smooth ride as Currie had to hack the ball off his own line after miscontrolling a backpass.
The Galabankies continued to retain a threat and nearly had an equaliser when Aidan Smith’s right-foot shot from 16 yards bounced off Currie’s post and away to safety.
But they were given the chance to breathe more easily when Annan defender Scott Hooper hauled back sub Greig Spence, with ref Chris Fordyce showing no hesitation in pulling out the red card.
There was to be one final flourish for the hosts to officially seal the silverware when Spence held the ball up in space before squaring for the onrushing Flynn Duffy to finish beyond Fleming.
The goal prompted an early pitch invasion from some of the Binos faithful, with the pitch having to be cleared for the final few minutes of the match to resume.
But they didn’t have to wait long before they could celebrate officially, with fans of all ages spilling onto the pitch after the final whistle as Albion prepare for third-tier football for the first time in eight years.
Stirling Albion – Currie, Mcgeachie, Clark, Mclean, Mcgregor, Dunsmore (Cooper 71’), Davidson, Carrick (Spence 55’), Leitch (Hamilton 83’), Banner, Moore (Duffy 83’).
Subs not used – Weir, Cummins, Denholm. Annan Atjhletics – Fleming, Barnes, Kilsby, Lyon, Hooper, Swinglehurst (Goss 45’), Wallace (Galloway 63’), Docherty, Smith, Muir, Johnston (Williamson 87’).
Subs not used – Mitchell, Steele, Luissint, Mccartney, Mcmenamin.
Referee – Chris Fordyce.