Stirling Albion continued their good run of form with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Ayr United. The result also saw the defence, much criticised a few weeks ago, record their third consecutive clean sheet.
To no-one’s surprise, the Binos line up was the same as the previous three matches with the only change on the bench being at substitute goalkeeper where Scott Christie replaced David McIntosh.

The Binos kicked off and could have taken the lead in the first minute when a free kick from Hay was tipped over the bar by Roy. Roy then enjoyed an enormous slice of good fortune when he tried to dribble past Di Giacomo. The ball broke to Dunn but his cross was cleared by the Ayr defence. Next Wilson cut inside McGrady but his left foot cross was left by Di Giacomo who must have thought that the shot was goal bound. Dunn then threatened to open the scoring when he rounded Roy but his right foot shot went wide.

A poor clearance by Smyth fell to Wilson but the winger pulled his shot wide. Di Giacomo showed his strength when he breezed past Henderson and cut the ball back to Dunn who should have done better with his shot.

Ayr responded and a chip shot from Chaplain was held up in the wind providing Hogarth with an easy take. Di Giacomo, who was starting to get some stick from the Ayr fans, went round Roy but he had been pushed wide and his shot went into the side netting.

O’Brien was then called upon to perform some defensive duties and did well to back track to break up an attack. Connolly did have the ball in the net after 25 minutes but the referee’s whistle had blown for an offside long before he shot.

The Binos took the lead on the half hour mark when Di Giacomo collected a Devine throw in and cut in from the left. His shot rebounded off Roy into the path of Dunn who made no mistake in despatching the ball to the back of the net. 1-0 to the Binos.

Two minutes later and it was 2-0. Mclaughlin was penalised for a foul on the left. Last week, in a similar position, Hay crossed for Dunn to score. This week, Hay’s cross was missed by everyone and ended up in the back of the net. MacDonald, perhaps mindful that he has yet to score, tried to claim the honour but the goal was credited to Hay. This was Paul’s fourth goal of the season, not bad going for a player who has only averaged a goal a season since he came to Forthbank.

Ayr tried to pull one back and a mazy run by Conway ended with his shot going inches wide. Conway then had a shot deflected bringing out a spectacular looking save from Hogarth. O’Brien then became the first player to be booked when referee McDonald adjudged that he had dived when it appeared that he had been brought down after going past full back Lyle. This was the last meaningful action of the first half and the teams went in with the score 2-0 to the Binos.

The second half, overall, was a bit of a let down as the Binos started to realise that Ayr were unlikely to score. In 49 minutes, Canning won the ball in midfield and played the ball wide to Di Giacomo. He cut inside and sent in a right foot shot which was parried by Roy.

On the hour mark Di Giacomo gathered a long clearance, held off the challenge of McGrady, and tried to play the ball into Canning. Unfortunately, the cross was intercepted and the danger was cleared.

The next 20 minutes was memorable only for the number of substitutions and some strange decisions by referee McDonald. Ayr started off the spate of substitutions with Tait being replaced by McCulloch. This was followed by Conway and Connolly being replaced by Brown and Ferguson respectively. These changes had no effect on Ayr’s fortunes and the Binos then responded by taking off Wilson, Dunn and Canning and replacing them with Aitken, Glancy and William Ferguson, marking his first team debut. Referee McDonald, who many fans remembered from last season’s match with East Stirling, also angered the home fans when he failed to award the Binos a free kick after Dunn had been wrestled to the ground and failed to spot Brown elbowing Scotland.

In 82 minutes O’Brien cut through the centre but his right foot shot was saved by Roy. With the match drawing to a close, Devine and Brown were involved in a off the ball incident which saw Brown spectacularly ending up on the ground. This was missed by the match officials but, seconds later, both players ended up being booked for another incident which was spotted by the assistant referee.

There was no further drama and the match came to a close with the scoreline 2-0 in favour of Stirling Albion, a result which saw them remain in third position, still 9 points off the promotion spot. However, with a 15 point cushion over the second bottom placed team, a top half finish is looking a certainty and the club may yet achieve promotion.

The transformation in the team since the beginning of the year is remarkable. Di Giacomo has brought pace and strength to the forward line and Dunn seems to be doing more work than I can remember the last time he was at the club. The midfield work for each other and McDonald is looking the class player which his pedigree indicated he should be. In defence, Paul Nugent is outstanding and it is now only a matter of time before a bigger club make a bid for him. Alongside him, Chris Scotland is starting to show more confidence whilst the full backs, Hay and Devine, provide a constant threat with their crossing.

Next week the Binos take on local rivals Alloa at Forthbank. Alloa’s good run came to an end at Arbroath, a result which proves that nothing can be taken for granted in this division, but everyone will expect a hard match. Let’s hope the fans turn out in good numbers and the team continues it’s excellent good form.