James Stewart Reporting

STIRLING ALBION TEAM-

Hogarth, Graham (Murphy), Lawrie, Forsyth, Lowing, Taggart (Corr), Docherty, O'Neill, Molloy, Harty, McKenna (Hamilton) Unused Sub- Roycroft, Hamilton, Christie

Goals- Taggart (15)

Crowd- 1648

 

Stirling Albion headed to Kirkcaldy this weekend to take on Raith Rovers. The Bino’s go into today’s game looking to continue their good run of form. Stirling boss Allan Moore managed to secure a loan deal from St. Mirren that would see Chris Molloy make a return to the team. Molloy has been signed until January but if needed he may be allowed to stay until the end of the season. Moor will also be able to bring Mark Docherty back into the squad after his suspension against Alloa.

As the first half got underway it was the home side who looked the better team and Raith striker Kevin Smith was the first to test Myles Hogarth with a well placed strike that could only find Hogarth’s arms. Raith soon had another good chance to take the lead in the game from a corner that fell to former Albion man Laurie Ellis who could only manage to hit his strike directly at Hogarth. The pressure didn’t relent for Stirling as Graham Weir managed to break into the box for Raith before managing to get around Myles to get a clear chance at taking the lead but somehow the Albion keeper managed to get back and tip the ball around the post and into the side netting for a corner. Raith were soon on the defensive as David McKenna managed to get the the by-line before swinging a cross into the box where Albion winger NATHAN TAGGART was waiting to divert the ball goal wards. It was a unexpected goal for the Bino’s but at least it got our noses in front.

The goal may have got us the lead but the Bino’s were not looking like a side who deserved the lead as Raith were in control of the game and nearly had an equalizer when Graham Weir linked up with Chris Silvestro , but Silvestro’s effort went over the bar and into the stand. The referee was soon out with his book when Albion’s John O’Neil was booked for clattering into Iain Davidson. Soon after O’Neil’s booking the referee was writing down another name in his book when Andy Graham was clattered into by Mark Campbell. This didn’t stop the Kirkcaldy side from continuing their attacks on the Stirling goal as Andy Cook made a good attacking run before hitting his shot well wide of the goal. Stirling soon set up an attack of their own from a throw-in that fell to David McKenna after Mckenna managed to clear some space for his shot he could only direct the ball towards the Raith ‘keeper Gary O’Conner. Raith were soon back up at the Stirling goal causing problems for Myles Hogarth but Myles wasn’t fazed by Mark Campbell’s header that was easily held by Hogarth. As the half came to a close the Albion nearly doubled their lead as David McKenna set up Ian Harty for a shot but Harty’s effort was well wide of the target.

Half Time: Raith Rovers 0 V 1 Stirling Albion.

Raith Rover’s boss John McGlynn decided to change things around as Mark Campbell was switched in favour of David Armstrong. As the second half got under way it was Raith who looked the better side as the Bino’s still trying to find their feet, and nearly were back on level terms as Allan Walker managed to gather a pass before breaking through the Albion’s defensive ranks and hitting his shot off the post and out for a goal kick. Raith were soon attacking the Albion goal again as Kevin Smith managed to get one on one with Myles Hogarth who had little choice but to come out and meet the striker and it nearly cost him his clean sheet when Smith lobbed the ball over Hogarth but somehow Smith’s effort was wide of the mark. In what was becoming more of a one sided game it was starting to look like Raith couldn’t score if the goals were doubled in size. Allan Moore soon decided to make his first substitution of the game as David McKenna made way for Chris Hamilton.

Raith were soon back attacking the Stirling goal and Iain Davidson nearly equalised for the home side as he managed to get on the end of a cross but somehow the Raith skipper missed from only a couple of yards from goal. As things didn’t seem to be going anywhere for either side now both managers decided to change things around as Mark Ferry was replaced by Robert Sloan for Raith and goal scorer Nathan Taggart made way for Liam Corr. Stirling were still being kept under pressure by the home side as Allan Walker managed to break free from the Albion defence before being denied his goal by an excellent save from Myles Hogarth. Raith made their final substitution of the game as Chris Silvestro made way for Lee Bryce. Raith were soon back in the Stirling box as Allan Walker had time to head the ball goal wards but he just couldn’t keep the ball down as it went over the bar with the thanks to Andy Graham for pressuring Walker into the mistake. Stirling were starting to advance towards the Raith goal as Liam Corr nearly scored his second goal for the Bino’s but his long range effort was easily gathered by Raith ‘keeper Gary O’Conner. Chris Hamilton was the next Albion man to have a shot at goal and it was so close to hitting the back of the net as Hamilton’s effort went under Gary O’Conner before hitting the inside of the post and out to be kicked up the park to safety. David Lowing was soon booked by the referee before Allan Moore made his last change of the game as off came Andy Graham to be replaced by Paul Murphy. Stirling were soon attacking again as Ian Harty had a good chance to score but unfortunately for the Stirling striker his effort was went wide. Raith managed to make a break up field and nearly finished it well as Craig Wilson hit his shot at goal only to be denied by Myles Hogarth. Stirling had another excellent chance to double their lead as Liam Corr managed to break into the box before getting round Gary O’Conner at first but Corr was soon floored by the Raith ‘keeper in what was a unquestionable mistake by O’Conner as the referee soon pointed to the spot for a penalty. Up stepped striker Ian Harty to take the penalty, Harty successfully manages to send O’Conner the wrong way but his effort smashed into the right hand before being cleared up the other end of the pitch. With what was a excellent chance to put the game out of reach of Raith Rovers Ian Harty had failed to do so and it cost Stirling three points as Raith soon broke up the pitch and as Liam Bryce broke into the box he was tugged back by an Albion defender. The referee made no hesitation with his decision and pointed to the spot to award the home side a life line penalty. Up stepped Kevin Smith who hit a thunder bolt of a penalty into the roof of the net to claim a share of the points. It was truly a well struck penalty. The Albion did go in search for another goal after the restart but the home defence wasn’t going to let that happen and the referee was soon blowing for time. In what was a rather one sided game where at the start of the day I would have been happy with a draw but to be denied the full three points in the ninetieth moment of the game was just sickening. We didn’t play well but we did have the lead but it just wasn’t meant to be our day. A draw was probably a fair result but they way it happened made it feel like we lost. At least it is a point and any points are better than no points at all.

Well this week we may have dropped a couple of points but we are back at home next week where we will be taking on league leaders Peterhead. I hope to see you all then.