Stirling Albion:- Hogarth, Hay, Forsyth, McNally, Graham, Fraser, Bell, Aitken, Cramb, Shields and Devine
Subs:- Gibson for McNally, O’Brien for Shields, Christie, Tomano and Cashmore(all unused)

Brechin City:- Nelson, McEwan, Ferguson, Ward, White, S.Walker,Johnson, Callaghan, Geddes, Connolly and Smith.
Subs:- Byers for Johnson, R.Walker for McEwan, Russell for Connolly, Hillcoat and Pow(both unused)

Allan Moore’s record against Brechin City is not a good one, only tasting victory once in 6 attempts, though that victory did come the last time the Binos played at Glebe Park almost 2 years to the day. The similarities to that day, the Binos wearing their new away kit for the first time and the sunny weather, gave the Binos’ fans some hope that they could put the defeats of last Saturday and Tuesday out of their heads.
The Binos starting line up showed 3 changes from the CIS Cup defeat against Dumbarton with Gibson, O’Brien and Cashmore all dropping to the bench to be replaced by McNally, Fraser and Cramb. This saw the team lining up in a 3-5-2 formation with Paul Hay moving from his sweeper role to the right side of midfield.
The Binos, kicking down the slope, almost took the lead after only 3 minutes when McEwan was short with a pass back and Shields nipped in. However, with only the keeper to beat, the ball was nicked away before he could get his shot in. A few minutes later Hay shot over from a Devine cross.
The Binos top scorer last season was Paddy Connolly who moved to Brechin during the summer. “Sir Paddy” had a chance to put Brechin into the lead when McNally was beaten by the bounce of the ball but Hogarth saved with his feet to keep the scoreline blank.
The Binos took the lead after 20 minutes when Bell controlled a Shields cross to turn and send a shot into the keeper’s bottom right hand corner. 1-0 to the Binos.

Stevie Bell shoots and scores!!

2 minutes later they almost doubled their lead when Devine collected the ball in his own half and stormed into the Brechin half. He played a 1-2 with Cramb but his right foot shot from the edge of the penalty box was palmed away by Nelson. Cramb then had an effort which went just past the post.
Aitken tried a long range effort but it didn’t trouble Nelson and the teams went into the break with the scoreline unchanged.
Neither team made any changes at half time as Brechin immediately went on the attack. Hogarth again saved with his feet to deny Smith and Connolly’s effort from the rebound was also blocked.
The Binos had strong claims for a penalty turned down when Bell seemed to be fouled by Nelson as they both went for a high ball in the box but the referee waved away the claims.
Nelson then brought off another save to touch an Aitken free kick over the bar. Smith should have done better than shoot over the bar from close range.
Brechin brought on Russell for Connolly and he put in a cross for Byers to shoot but Hogarth got down well to save.
Another former Bino, Chris Geddes, collected the ball after it came of Forsyth’s head but his cross was slightly behind Russell and though the former Dumbarton player managed to turn, his shot went over the bar.
The Binos made a substitution to try and boost the attacking options in the midfield with Gibson coming on for McNally with Paul Hay joining Graham and Forsyth in the back three. Gibson was immediately involved when he beat Ferguson and played the ball to Cramb who headed on to Shields. However the Gretna man was leaning back and his shot went over the bar.
A quick break saw Bell beat Nelson to the ball. However, rather than shoot first time, he decided to steady himself but his shot rattled off the post.
The Binos’ boss decided to tighten up the midfield with 5 minutes left when he brought on O’Brien for Shields with Devine moving back. This effectively saw the Binos playing with a 4-5-1 formation.
Somehow, the referee managed to find over 3 minutes of added time, despite neither physio having been on the pitch, but he eventually blew his whistle to bring proceedings to a close.
Next up in the league is the visit of the other team relegated from the First Division, Stranraer, but before that is the small matter of a visit to Central Park to meet a Cowdenbeath team which has got off to a flying start this season. Having already been knocked out of the more lucrative CIS Cup, the Binos won’t want to be knocked out another cup, albeit the rewards from the Challenge Cup aren’t as great. However, it should be an intriguing match at Cowdenbeath, even though it is not one of the best grounds for spectators.