Travel slickness gives Elgin hope ahead of long trip to Stranraer

Elgin City boss Allan Hale reckons his team can set off for Stranraer with a spring in their step – boosted by strong recent displays on their travels.

The League Two season has just eight fixtures remaining and City’s 1-0 home win over Bonnyrigg Rose last week hauled them up to seventh position.

Rock-bottom Clyde’s 2-1 loss at Forfar means Elgin are eight points above 10th spot and just two points below Forfar, who host champions-elect Stenhousemuir this weekend.

Until last month, the Moray men had collected just one away point this term, but since then they have won 2-1 at Spartans and drawn 1-1 at Peterhead.

Hale, who has no fresh injury concerns, is ready for the early-morning departure and 11-and-ahalf-hour round trip to Stair Park today.

They are hunting down another positive result against a team they hold a two-point advantage over.

Hale said: “Winning at Spartans got the monkey off our back. People stopped talking about our away form.

“We then went to Peterhead and picked up a point. It is no secret our away form has not been good, but recent away games have been good – even the Clyde game. Although we lost 2-1, our performance merited more.

“It will be a tough game. Stranraer are pretty strong at home and in their last game there, had a 5-0 victory against Dumbarton.

“We know the threats they carry, but we will focus on ourselves and try and put in the same high level of performance we’ve had in recent weeks.”

On home soil, Elgin are the third-best performing team in the division behind Stenhousemuir and Peterhead, so adding away points will clearly aid their progression.

Borough Briggs boss Hale is delighted to see his players on the front foot, but feels they could be more lethal.

He said: “If there has been criticism of recent performances, it has been we’ve not converted enough opportunities.

“The positive side of that is we’re creating chances and giving ourselves good opportunities in games.

“We just need that wee bit more consistency in the final third. But, overall, we have been fairly consistent in terms of performance and with our personnel.”

Clyde’s recent revival has had teams looking over their shoulders but Hale explained he’s only concerned with his own squad.

He said: “We’re not looking at any other teams – we’re just focused on ourselves.

“We know there is a lot of football to be played and a lot of points to play for. For us, it’s about ensuring our preparation is right.”

Allan Hale is encouraged by Elgin City’s recent form.