Stirling Albion:-
Hogarth, Nugent, Forsyth, Ellis, Graham, Murphy, Tomana, Bell, Lilley, Gribben and Taggart.
Subs:- Devine for Murphy(64), Walker for Taggart(64) and McKenna for Gribben(68)
Unused Subs:- Hay and Christie
Bookings:- Nugent

Partick Thistle:-
Tuffey, Robertson, Twaddle, Rowson, Harkins, Archibald, Donnelly, Trialist, Buchanan, Roberts and Murray.
Subs;- Chaplain for Harkins(57) and Connor for Buchanan(77)
Unused Subs:- Boyd, Lennon and Hinchcliffe
Bookings:- Harkins

The Binos heralded their return to the second tier of Scottish football with a creditable 1-1 draw against a Thistle team who had won on their last five visits to Forthbank.
The highlight of the Binos’ last appearance in the First Division was the open, entertaining football they played and, on today’s performance, it appears as though this campaign will be more of the same with both teams intent on playing passing football which pleased the large crowd.

The Binos lined up ,in 4-4-2 formation with a back four of Nugent, Graham, Ellis and Forsyth. The midfield was Tomana, Bell, Paul Murphy, who was listed as a trialist having played in defence in pre-season, and Taggart. Lilley and Gribben were the preferred starting strikers. On the bench were Hay, McKenna, Devine, who came through his one and only pre-season match with flying colours, Christie nad new signing Nicky Walker.
The Thistle squad included youngster Stephen Connor who played for Everton reserves at Forthbank a few days ago.

There was a good atmosphere inside Forthbank as the match kicked off and, within 4 seconds, the Binos were awarded a free kick when Bell was fouled inside the centre circle.
The first real chance of the match fell to Buchanan after 11 minutes although Forsyth appeared to be fouled when going for the ball. However, the ex-Cowden player’s shot was blocked at the expense of a corner kick.
The same player was involved just before the half hour mark but his right foot shot was inches wide after he managed to elude the clutches of Andy Graham. A few minutes later, a long range effort by Harkins was confidently held at the first attempt by Hogarth.
Hogarth then brought off an acrobatic looking save to deny Roberts.
To prove it wasn’t all one way traffic, bell threaded a neat ball through to Gribben but his shot didn’t carry enough oomph. Just before the half time break, Gribben tried to lob Tuffey but the ball ended up on the roof of the net.
The half finished with another long range effort from Harkins which crept inches past with Hogarth struggling to get across his goals.
There was a delay in the start of the second half when the Binos sub goalie, Scott Christie, had to climb up on the shoulders of physio Andy Myles to carry out some repairs to the top of the net.
Shortly after the re-start, Mark Twaddle tried a spectacular overhead kick which went well over the bar.
At the other end, Gribben had a chance when he allowed the ball to fall over his shoulder and, although the angle would have been tight, delayed too long before shooting.
Next, Gribben charged down Tuffey’s clearance but was unable to get to the ball before the keeper managed to clear the danger. Thistle’ trial;ist then had a shot which flashed across the goal.
Thistle took the lead just on the hour mark in a controversial manner. A cross from the left was headed against the bar by Donnelly. The ball came down and was cleared but the assistant indicated the ball had crossed the line although it was difficult to say from where I was sitting.
At this stage, some of the Binos’players were beginning to disappear from the game so Moore decided to make a few changes. First he brought on new signing Walker and Devine, who had only played one match in pre-season, for Murphy and Taggart. A few minutes later, McKenna came on for Gribben and , within minutes, the ex-Buddie was the hero when his glancing header from a Nugent cross beat Tuffey.
Both teams went for the winner with Nugent having to look sharp to clear a Connor cross after Forsyth had been left stranded. The whistle finally came with a draw probably a fair reflection.
The Binos are most people’s favourites to be relegated, being the only part time team in the division. However, on today’s performance, that is not a certainty. One thing is certain, however, is that it will be a very exciting season.
Next up, is a visit to Perth to meet the team which was just pipped to promotion to the SPL. No game will be easy this season, but this will be one of the most difficult games the Binos will face all season.