Stirling Albion v Brechin City

Written by RedWeb

Wednesday, 14 April 2010

Stirling Albion 6 (Chris Aitken (Pen), Michael Mullen (3), Iain Russell, Derek Colquhoun) Brechin City 2 (Rory McAllister (2)) Stirling Albion Scott Christie Andy Graham Ross Forsyth Brian Allison Jonathan Page Scott Robertson Nathan Taggart Chris Aitken Michael Mullen Iain Russell David O'Brien Subs: Derek Colquhoun on for 9 Paul Murphy on for 6 David McKenna on for 10 Andy Gibson (Unused) Myles Hogarth (GK) Brechin City Craig Nelson Richard Walker Mark Docherty Paul McLean Barry Smith Jonathan Seeley Kevin Byers Gary Fusco Rory McAllister Charlie King Krisjanis Vallers Subs: Steven Canning on for 5 Terry Masson on for 10 Mark Cowan on for 9 Mark Archdeacon (Unused) David Scott (GK) Irn Bru Scottish League - Division Two Wednesday 14th April, 2010 Forthbank Stadium Attendance: 357 As on Monday night it's too late in the evening to write a big long report so let's get straight to business. Team lines showed just two changes from the the Arbroath game. Out went Paul Murphy and Andy Gibson as skipper Ross Forsyth and the more attacking threat of Nathan Taggart came into the side. With a chill in the Forthbank air the game kicked off with the home side shooting towards the Monument end of the ground. As the match got underway it was clear that Ross Forsyth had been unleashed from his normal defensive slot and was roaming around the midfield. Interesting move from Allan Moore and one well worth a try given the skills Forsyth brings to the table. An early chance fell Stirling's way as a cross picked out Michael Mullen who saw a close range stab deflect wide for a corner kick. Brechin front man Rory McAllister has been in outstanding goal scoring form for the Glebe Park outfit and he did well to hold off Brian Allison before firing over the bar. The woodwork then denied the Beanos as a Nathan Taggart dink was headed on by Andy Graham to Iain Russell whose effort on the stretch clipped the top of Craig Nelson's bar. The Beanos were looking the much sharper of the two sides, despite this being our third game in five days. A ball broke into the path of Michael Mullen and his angled dipper wasn't far from Nelson's right hand post. The woodwork then came to Brechin's aid for the second time. Scott Robertson played the ball out to Nathan Taggart, who rode a couple of challenges, before drilling in a low shot which clattered off the inside of the right hand post before being scrambled behind. It looked a goal all the way and Brechin were extremely lucky the ball didn't rebound to one of the Stirling players in attendance. Up the other end City had very little to offer and a McAllister header following a Mark Docherty centre was about the best they could muster. The first booking of the evening came when Krisjanis Vallers was carded for a deliberate handball. With half-time looming it seemed that the Beanos may be denied a much deserved interval lead. However, a rampaging run from Nathan Taggart saw him burst into the box before being chopped by Kevin Byers. Stonewall penalty and from 12 yards CHRIS AITKEN did his usual immaculate job of dispatching the spot kick. It was nearly a second moments later as an Iain Russell centre was headed against the crossbar by Michael Mullen. That made it three off the woodwork in the first 45 minutes from Stirling and so nobody could say they didn't merit their lead. A tame effort from Mark Docherty failed to set Brechin pulses racing and indeed it was the home side who had the last word of the opening half. A good driving run by David O'Brien ended with the ball being cut back into the box where it fell nicely for MICHAEL MULLEN to hook in Stirling's second inside Craig Nelson's right hand post. Seconds after Mullen's strike the referee was blowing for the break. Therefore as the teams trooped off for the half-time Ayrshire back bacon it was the home side who were firmly in control of proceedings. Half-Time:  Stirling Albion 2 Brechin City 0 Despite being outplayed in the first half the Brechin manager Jim Duffy resisted the temptation to make changes and so the teams were "as you were" as the match restarted. It looked like the City players had been given a roasting in the changing sheds as they made a high tempo start to the second period. A terrible headed back pass from Andy Graham almost gifted City a goal but the normally reliable Rory McAllister sliced his shot wide. However, RORY McALLISTER made up for his miss moments later as he took advantage of a flap from Scott Christie to bundle in a goal to give Brechin hope. Might have been a foul on Inchy but he should have done better. Having dominated the bulk of play in the match so far it was a blow to concede another daft goal but as on Saturday the Beanos had the perfect response to adversity. The City goal stung the Beanos into action and within a few minutes they had restored their two goal lead. A cross broke to the edge of the box from where Scott Robertson nodded towards MICHAEL MULLEN who held off a defender before spinning and drilling the ball high past Craig Nelson. At Gayfield on Saturday the Beanos scored three in eight minutes and it appeared as if they fancied inflicting a dose of the same medicine on Brechin. Good play from David O'Brien saw him get to the byline before cutting back an inch perfect cross which IAIN RUSSELL headed home from six yards out. Brechin were reeling and Jim Duffy wasn't looking best pleased. However, the scoring blitz wasn't over just yet. A Chris Aitken corner kick was met by MICHAEL MULLEN and the former Stranraer man had his hattrick when his header beat Nelson all ends up. Sensational stuff from the Beanos and the three goals scored in four fantastic minutes clearly ended the match as a contest. It was all proving too much for City striker Rory McAllister who was booked for a wild challenge. With plenty of games still ahead Albion manager Allan Moore wisely decided to start using his subs. First off for the Beanos was hattrick hero Michael Mullen as Derek Colquhoun rumbled into action. An Iain Russell cross fell for Scott Robertson who sliced a shot wide of goal from the edge of the box. There then followed a flurry of switches as both sides reached for replacements. For Brechin Steven Canning came on for Barry Smith while two Albion changes saw Paul Murphy and David McKenna taking the places of Scott Robertson and Iain Russell respectively. A free kick then gave City hope and they took full advantage as RORY McALLISTER fizzed in a well struck low shot which crept inside Scott Christie's right hand post. Now just three adrift it wasn't exactly game on but at least Brechin had restored a little pride. Stirling should have restored the four goal lead soon afterwards but after good set up play by Derek Colquhoun midfielder Paul Murphy saw his shot somehow blocked. Despite the exertions of two games in three days it was the Albion who continued to look the much fresher of the two sides. A Ross Forsyth cross picked out David O'Brien but the wingers glancing header was well wide. Jim Duffy then made his second change as Terry Masson came on for Charlie King. Albion striker Derek Colquhoun may not be pleasing to the eye but he was getting involved. Having seen a long range shot deflect for a corner he then contrived to slice wide of a gaping net after good set up play from Chris Aitken. Terrible miss from big Derek but he would have the last laugh. A third and final City substitution saw Rory McAllister taken off in favour of Mark Cowan. A good tip over from Craig Nelson denied Chris Aitken a second goal but with time winding down the Beanos did net a sixth. A poor piece of control from DEREK COLQUHOUN seemed to befuddle the City defence, and with their defenders running into each other, the ball fell perfectly for the former Falkirk Amateurs striker to smash his first Albion goal past Craig Nelson. The build up may have been fortunate but the finish was extremely well struck. Big Derek's goal was the last noteworthy action of the match as a minute or so later the referee was blowing for time. A quite remarkable match although it does have to be said some team has been due a thrashing from the Beanos and Brechin were just unlucky to be that side. Great effort from Allan Moore's men to back up Monday's game with one of their best performances of the season. Most probably expected a fresher City side to dictate but this Albion team clearly has more desire and drive than they perhaps have been given credit for. Only three points are now required to confirm a play-off berth and the first chance to get them will be on Saturday as we travel to Ochilview to take on near neighbours Stenhousemuir.

 

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