Stirling Albion:- Hogarth, Hay, Forsyth, McNally, Nugent, Aitken, Bell (Fraser 86), Devine, Cramb, Bingham (Snodgrass 65) and O’Brien. Unused Subs:- Tomana, Taggart and Christie

Raith Rovers:- Fahey, Wilson, Fotheringham, Campbell, Andrews, Lumsden, Davidson (Bonar 71), Silvestro, McManus, McLaughlin (Hislop 64) and Neill. Unused Subs:- Fairbairn, Pelosi and Currie

The big question on the lips of the Albion fans for the last few weeks was could the team regain the form which took them so close to gaining automatic promotion. The answer was an emphatic yes as the Binos dominated the first leg of the semi final play off. The only thing lacking was a goal which means that the winners of Saturday’s second leg will almost certainly meet Airdrie United in the final.

It was pleasing to see the Binos at full strength following weeks of players being “rested” to avoid the possibility of them missing this game due to suspension and the Binos had to have their strongest line up on display as Raith Rovers were the form team of the division.

After a delay of 10 minutes to allow the crowd of over 3000 into the ground, the Binos got proceeding under way shooting towards the town end. And they started by taking the game to Raith Rovers from the opening whistle. They say the best form of defence is attack, and attack the Binos did. After only 7 minutes O’Brien hit the post following a short corner. However, after a hectic start, the game settled down.

Shortly before the half hour mark, O’Brien forced Fahey into a hasty clearance which went straight to Bingham. Unfortunately, his attempted lob went over the bar. Then a snap shot by Cramb skimmed the top of the net.

It was a measure of the Binos’ dominance that it took Raith until the 40th minute to win their first corner. However, despite their domination, the teams went into the interval level at 0-0.

It was hard to believe that Raith could be as bad in the second half and they did start the half much better. McLaughlin managed to beat the offside trap but Hogarth managed to force him wide and he couldn’t get his shot on target. Campbell then pulled his right foot shot wide of the post.

The Binos weathered the storm and gradually started to take control. However, Raith still looked threatening on the counter attack and Neill had a long range effort saved by Hogarth at the second attempt.

Near the end, Bell was carried off on a stretcher following a bad tackle by Andrews. Amazingly, not only did the big defender get off without being booked, Raith were awarded a throw in.

The fans had to endure a nervy 3 minutes of injury time before referee Somers blew his whistle for full time. However, if tonight was bad, Saturday will be a hundred times worse, especially if the tie should go to extra time and penalty kicks.

Hopefully Bell will have recovered as he is an extremely important member of the team and the Binos will have to be at their best if they are to progress to the final. Let’s hope the Albion fans can emulate the Raith fans and turn out in big numbers. It would be nice to see Forthbank full for what promises to be an enthralling match