Stirling Albion maintained their 100% league record with a 3-1 victory over Berwick Rangers. However, the victory was a very low key affair as so often happens after a midweek cup tie. Whilst the victory was never in doubt, the major concern is the injury to Scott McLean, scorer of the goals which set the Binos on the victory trail, which saw him limp off after only 26 minutes.

The Binos line up was, once again unchanged, and Glancy and McLean tried to capitalise on an early mistake by Horn but their inter-change came to nothing. A mistake by McNally, who had a poor game by his own high standards, saw him concede a free kick after he had been caught in possession. Fortunately, for him, Berwick were unable to capitalise.

The Binos took the lead in 7 minutes when Hay played an inch perfect pass to Nugent who squared the ball to give McLean a simple tap in.

Trigger slots in his first.

McLean was proving to be the Binos’ main threat and he almost scored his second when he managed to work his way in from the left. Unfortunately, his right foot shot went inches past. However, he did get his second after 14 minutes with Paul Hay again being involved in the build up. Hay’s passed to Glancy whose cross was bundled home by McLean with a little help from a Berwick defender.

Triggers second.

It’s possible that McLean picked up his injury in this incident as he seemed to fall out of the game and was eventually replaced after 26 minutes. Prior to that, McNally wasted a couple of free kicks and Ferguson was booked for not retreating 10 yards from a free kick.

After McLean went off the match seemed to go flat with the Binos apparently content to hold on to their lead and Berwick’s attempts to score being few and far between. Little did have a chance to pull one back but his header was straight at Hogarth. Then a one two ended with Gordon’s shot being comfortably saved by Hogarth. At the other end, a Glancy shot from the edge of the 18 yard box almost curled in.

Glancy became the second Binos’ player to be booked for a late tackle on Elliot Smith. The resultant free kick was floated into the danger area but Little was unable to capitalise. A good run by Scotland, which saw him beat 3 men, finished with a pass to Nugent whose left foot shot was touched round the post by O’Connor.

There was no further action and half time came with the Binos leading 2-0.

It took a long time before there was any action of note in the second half and it came after 11 minutes with a couple of bookings in a matter of a few minutes. Firstly, Horn was booked for pulling down Gethins who had replaced McLean and Elliot Smith followed that a few minutes later for a foul on Scotland.

In 64 minutes Berwick scored the goal which they had been threatening to score when McNally hesitated allowing Little to beat him and put in a cross which was headed home by Gareth Hutchison.

Shortly after this Little attempted to curl in a left foot shot but it went inches past. Both teams made substitutions with Hampshire being replaced by Darren Smith, for Berwick, and Hutchison coming on for McDonald for the Binos.

A mistake by Scotland allowed Gordon to shoot but his long range effort went past the post. Then, in 73 minutes, the Binos’ victory was secured when Glancy was brought down after Ferguson had released him. It may have been regarded as a soft award but Gethins stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way and make it 3-1 to the Binos.

 

Gethins first goal of the season.

Little was booked for a late tackle on Ferguson and, shortly after that, Allan came on for O’Brien. Little then turned a ball across the face of the Binos’ goal but there was no Berwick player on hand to take advantage. Shortly after that, Hogarth produced a wonderful save from a Cowan header which turned out to be the last major piece of action.

The result sees the Binos maintain their position at the top of the division on goal difference ahead of Forfar. Next week sees the Binos visit Station Park for what will undoubtedly be a very intriguing match. We can only hope that McLean is fit as the team seem to depend so much on the striker. On today’s performance, the Binos are in danger of becoming known as a one man team but that shouldn’t be the case as there is enough quality in the team though perhaps not the depth.

However, before then the Binos have a Bell’s Challenge Cup match at Falkirk. Whilst it would be nice to win that match, I would not be too disappointed if we lost and, if McLean is not 100% fit, I would not risk him as the league is far more important.

MANY THANKS TO GRAHAM HAMILTON FOR THE PHOTO'S.