From Forthbank Stadium, Stirling

Kick Off: 7.30pm

James Stewart Reporting

Stirling Albion made their final appearance at Forthbank this evening to take on Scottish Cup Semi-Finalists St. Johnstone. The Stirling starting line-up remained relatively unchanged since the visit to Dens Park just over a week ago with Paul Murphy and Gary Muir dropping to the bench and youngster Liam Corr sitting this one out due to international duty this coming Saturday when Corr will lead out the Scotland school boys side against England at Wembley. Ross Harris made his return to the starting eleven tonight after being out for a couple of months due to knee surgery.

 

On a sunny spring evening Stirling kicked off shooting towards the Monument end of Forthbank. It was St. Johnstone who had the first shot on target through Liam Craig as he got on the end of a cross but his shot went over the bar. The Binos managed to break up field and a cross from David McKenna was met by Jay Rodriguez breaking into the St. Johnstone box but it wasn’t to be for the Burnley kid as his shot just went past Alan Main’s right hand post. Play soon shifted back up towards the Stirling goal as St’ Johnston managed a swift counter attack with David Weatherson leaving Paul Nugent in his wake as he fired off a strike directly at Scott Christie. The Binos were back on the offensive with a quick free kick to David McKenna who sent in a low sweeping cross across the front of Alan Main’s goal to Jay Rodriguez but somehow Rodriguez couldn’t get the small touch required to take the lead for the Binos.

 

After some excellent end to end football it was St. Johnstone that managed to take the lead through a St. johnstone corner that was neatly delivered to Kevin James who made no hesitation in taking advantage of the space he was given. Kevin James’s goal gave St. Johnstone a bit more spark as Daniel McBreen sent a dipping shot towards Christie who managed to pluck the ball out the air just before it dipped under the cross bar. Stirling started to get back into the game when Ross Harris managed to send a excellent cross into Jay Rodriguez who could only manage to send the ball over the bar.

 

Stirling maintained the pressure on Alan Main and it soon paid off when the Binos were awarded a penalty after a Nathan Taggart was pushed on the very edge of the box if it was in the box it must have been by only a fraction of an inch as it looked like it should have been a free kick but not according to referee Scott McDonald who was pointing at the spot. Up stepped Chris Aitken who calmly knocked the ball home to even up the score line. No sooner had St. Johnstone restarted the game and the referee was once again blowing his whistle and pointing to the penalty spot after St. Johnstone’s Kevin James made a diving save to punch clear a David McKenna shot. James was immediately dismissed for his excellent diving save and up stepped Stirling skipper and Young Reds Player of the Year Chris Aitken to slot home penalty number two. 2 minutes, 2 penalties and 2 goals what luck for the Binos why couldn’t we have had some of that type of luck earlier in the season? St. Johnstne seemed to take the two penalties in their stride as they were soon back up at the Stirling goal and had a free kick on the edge of the box but Liam Craig’s kick looked more like it should have been taken at Bridgehaugh as it went high over the bar. The Binos had the a chance to extend their lead at the end of the half when a Ross Harris cross picked out the head of Jay Rodriguez but it just didn’t seem to be Rodriguez’s night as his shot went past the post.

 

Half Time: Stirling Albion 2 V 1 St. Johnstone.

 

St. Johnstone made their first change of the game just before the restart as Steven Milne was replaced by Andrew Jackson. Stirling were the first team to make a break as Nathan Taggart managed to run down the left wing and cross to Ross Harris who managed to get a shot towards Alan Main but it was deflected behind for a corner. The corner was only cleared as far as Chris Aitken and the skipper was looking for his third goal of the game as he hit a powerful shot at the St. Johnstone goal that was deflected towards Alan Main. Nathan Taggart was the next Bino to force a save from the 40 year old St. Johnstone keeper as he managed to break into the box and force Main to tip the ball out for a corner. St. Johnstone had a chance to level the score line when Danial McBreen sent a header towards Scott Christie but it wasn’t a problem for the Stirling keeper who calmly collected the shot. St. Johnstone kept up the pressure on the Stirling goal looking for an equalizer as Andy Jackson struck a long range effort at the Stirling goal but it didn’t bother Scott Christie as it sailed past his left hand post. The Binos were soon to capitalize on some lack luster defensive work in the St. Johnstone box as Kevin Moon was robbed of the ball by Jay Rodriguez who then managed to shimmy round a diving Alan Main and send home the Binos third goal of the game.

 

The Binos were now firmly in control of the game and despite some worrying moments for Scott Christie but he managed to keep the Binos in the lead after Danial McBreen hit a shot at him from close range, Liam Craig was the next Saint to cause problems for the young keeper but Christie managed to make the save to keep St. Johnstone at bay. St. Johnstone made their second change of the game when Peter MacDonald replaced Daniel McBreen, Stirling made their first change of the game with Ross Harris making way for Gary Muir and Daivid McKenna making way for Colin Cramb. As soon as Muir and Cramb came on the immediately linked up with a neat pass from Muir to Cramb who placed a shot directly at Alan Main. The Saints made their final substitution of the game as Andrew Jackson went off after picking up a knock and on came John Fairbairn. Chris Aitken was again looking for his third goal to seal his hattrick as he sent a shot from the edge of the box over the bar and shortly after he was challenging Alan Main but unluckily for Aitken, Alan Main managed to block his shot.

 

With that the referee called time and as the Binos left the Forthbank pitch for the last time this season it was a well deserved win to add to the collection this season where wins have been scarce. Hopefully though next season will be more promising for the Binos. See you all on Saturday at Broadwood for the final game of the season against Clyde.

 

Finally tonight’s game was not the last game at Forthbank this season there is still one more game to go as the Stirling Albion Supporters Club Classic will be taking place at Forthbank on Saturday 3rd May at 3PM, so why not come along to the Fans v Fans game. For more information on it go to www.stirlingalbion.com