Stirling Albion:- Hogarth, Nugent, Forsyth, McNally, Roycroft, Fraser, Bell, Tomana, Cramb, Cashmore and O’Brien.
Substitutes:- Hay for McNally, Shields for Cashmore, Taggart for O’Brien. Aitken and Christie (both unused)
Forfar Athletic:- Murdoch, Trialist, Lynn, Dunn, Rattray, Donald, Lunan, Beith, Tosh, Gribben and Montogomery.
Substitutes:- Lombardi for Tosh, Moon for Donald and Coyle for Montgomery. Keogh and Wood (both unused)

Following last week’s novelty of playing on a Sunday, it was business as normal as Stirling Albion again played hosts to a team which has still to record a victory at Forthbank. However, following last week’s draw against Raith Rovers, the Binos made no mistakes as they picked up all 3 points in a game which they dominated from start to finish. The 3-0 scoreline could and should have been a lot more as several chances were scorned.
The Binos’ starting line up showed 2 changes with Forsyth, free from suspension, replacing Hay and Cashmore, following some good performances in friendlies, was preferred to Shields. The 2 players replaced were both on the bench with Wilson dropping out completely.
The opening 5 minutes of the match had more action than the whole of the 90 minutes last week though it was Forfar who had the first goalscoring opportunity. However, Beith’s attempted lob over Hogarth went wide. The Binos responded and O’Brien beat the offside trap but his shot hit off Murdoch when he elected to shoot rather than pass to Cashmore.From the resulting corner, O’Brien’s header was cleared off the line.Tomana then had a fierce shot beaten away by Murdoch whilst Bell shot wide.
After that initial burst, the game went into a lull before the Binos should have taken the lead in the 20th minute. However, Cramb elected to go for placement rather than power and Murdoch easily saved. Just before the half hour mark, Cashmore had an effort from 25 yards which was turned round the post. Two minutes later, Cramb contrived to head wide when it looked easier to get the ball on target.
In a rare foray forward, Tosh had a header which was saved by Hogarth. A short time later, Dunn shot over from 10 yards.
O’Brien was replaced by Taggart in the 39th minute following a bad tackle by Montgomery for which he was quite rightly booked but the scoreline remained blank at half time.
The Binos started the second half with a bang as they took the lead when a Marek Tomana free kick crept in at the far post. It wasn’t the greathest of free kick s and the defence should have cleared it, but they all count.
The second came after 65 minutes when Shields headed a long clearance from Hogarth on to Cramb. The much travelled striker first turned to his left, then to his right, before sending a right foot shot past Murdoch.
Shields should have made it three in the 68th minute but, after going round Murdoch, his shot was headed off the line. Forfar were then reduced to 10 men when Beith was sent off or a second booking following a foul on Tomana.
The Binos had several chances to increase their lead which they finally managed to do in the last minute when Shields, almost on the goal line, got his head to a Cramb cross to make the final score 3-0.
Overall, this was an impressive performance albeit against a poor Forfar team who look distinct relegation candidates. However, it also shows how strong the Binos’ squad is when players such as Devine, Graham, Wilson and Boyack can’t even get into the squad.
Next week, the Binos visit Cappielow to face league leaders Morton in what is sure to be a much tougher match than today’s. However, the travelling fans should make the journey with a fair degree of optimism and there is every hope that the team will get a good result to help me celebrate my birthday that day.
As well as the sending off, there were bookings for McNally to refusing to hand over the ball following a free kick, Gribben for clattering into the star player, Tomana, and Lombardi for barging into Roycroft.