Stirling Albion v Arbroath

Written by RedWeb

Monday, 12 April 2010

Stirling Albion 2 (Andy Graham, Iain Russell) Arbroath 2 (Steven Dorris (2)) Stirling Albion Scott Christie Andy Graham Paul Murphy Brian Allison Jonathan Page Scott Robertson Andy Gibson Chris Aitken Michael Mullen Iain Russell David O'Brien Subs: Nathan Taggart on for 3 Derek Colquhoun on for 9 David McKenna (Unused) Sean Roycroft (Unused) Myles Hogarth (GK) Arbroath Darren Hill Kevin McMullen Callum Booth Euan Moyes Phil McGuire Marc McCulloch Steven Dorris Keith Gibson Mitch Megginson Steven Hislop Kenny McLean Subs: Robbie Ross on for 10 Ian Nimmo on for 11 Steven Rennie on for 2 Ryan Suttie (Unused) Scott Morrison (GK) Irn Bru Scottish League - Division Two Monday 12th April, 2010 Forthbank Stadium Attendance: 365 No time for a big report tonight. So let's get straight to it !! Team lines for the match showed only the one change from Saturday as big Derek Colquhoun was benched in favour of Michael Mullen. Stirling kicked off shooting towards the Monument end of Forthbank and Iain Russell soon tested Darren Hill with a toe poke from 18 yards. The lively Russell was in the thick of it from the off and it looked a possible penalty as he was clipped in the box but the ref waved play on. As it happens the ball then broke to Michael Mullen but the former Stranraer man's finish was straight at Darren Hill. A long ball up front then saw Iain Russell hold off Phil McGuire before slicing horribly wide. Decent start from the Beanos but out of nowhere the home side fell behind. A deep cross eluded everybody and with the Albion defence all at sea Steven Hislop gathered and crossed for STEVEN DORRIS to smash in from six yards. Stirling were once again playing with only three at the back in the absence of Ross Forsyth and it's clear the players struggle with it. Phil McGuire became the first man to be booked after clattering into Iain Russell. From the resulting free kick Chris Aitken trundled a tame shot into the gloves of Darren Hill. Moments later another free kick from Chris Aitken had more venom but Hill was alive to the danger and tipped over. Stirling were worth a goal and they soon had one. A David O'Brien corner broke for ANDY GRAHAM to nod in his fifth goal of the campaign. The visitors were struck another blow soon afterwards as Steven Hislop limped off to be replaced by Robbie Ross. Scott Christie then had to look alert to divert a well struck Keith Gibson shot over for a corner kick. Stirling's first yellow of the evening came when Iain Russell was carded for what appeared to be a spot of verbals. Russell was getting kicked and fouled any time he was in possession and it's no surprise he was unhappy with the referee's lack of action. There was no more scoring and so as the teams trooped off for the half-time mini eggs it was still all to play for with the scores locked at one each. Half-Time:  Stirling Albion 1 Arbroath 1 No changes at the break and it was Arbroath who were first to threaten after the lemons. A simple ball up the park caught the Beanos defence flat footed and home fans were relieved to see Robbie Ross lob wide of goal. After this early scare it was the hosts who appeared to have taken a tight grip on proceedings. IAIN RUSSELL collected the ball on the Albion left before driving across the edge of the box and letting fly with a 20 yard shot which fizzed into the top left hand corner of Darren Hill's net. Fantastic strike from Russell and it finally looks like we've managed to sign a front man who actually scores goals. Arbroath were beginning to look frustrated and Robbie Ross and Callum Booth were both cautioned for fouls on Andy Graham and Michael Mullen respectively. A Chris Aitken free kick picked out the head of Michael Mullen but his close range effort sailed over the bar. It was all Stirling at this stage and a neat pass from Paul Murphy picked out Michael Mullen who fired in a shot which was well saved by Darren Hill. It really should have been a third for Stirling seconds later. A corner broke to Chris Aitken whose neat lob back into the six yard box was headed over by Paul Murphy with the goals gaping. Arbroath gaffer Jim Weir knew it was time for a change and so hooked Kenny McLean in favour of Ian Nimmo. The visitors had barely threatened in the second half but frustratingly the Albion conspired to gift the opposition yet another soft goal. A terrible pass from Brian Allison sold Andy Graham short and before you could blink the ball was crossed into the box from where STEVEN DORRIS once again netted from only a few yards out. Another nightmare goal in a season of seemingly never ending defensive brain farts. From looking in control the Beanos were now back at square one with two points potentially going down the toilet. David O'Brien had been having a quiet game but nearly set up a goal for his side. A good driving run by the left winger saw him tee up Scott Robertson whose tamely struck shot bounced into the path of Iain Russell who hooked over from close range. Arbroath then made their third and last switch as Steven Rennie came on for Kevin McMullen. Around the same time Allan Moore made a couple of changes as Paul Murphy and Michael Mullen made way for Nathan Taggart and Derek Colquhoun respectively. The home side were pushing everybody forward but the ball just wouldn't fall our way. One last attempt saw a free kick break for Scott Robertson but the midfielders volley was straight at Hill in the Arbroath goal. Another frustrating night at Forthbank was eventually over as the ref blew for time. No lack of effort tonight and in truth we've played a lot worse. We should have won and certainly scored a goal worthy of three points. However, our habit of conceding goals out of nothing was once again our undoing. Ah well, not long to ponder on this one as on Wednesday we're back in action as Brechin visit Forthbank. The title may be gone but we need to try and ensure a top three finish and a win Wednesday would go a long way to securing that.

 

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