In the many years I have supported Stirling Albion, it is only in the last 20 years that I have started going to away matches on a regular basis. One of my favourite destinations is Station Park, Forfar for 3 reasons. Firstly, the Binos have had some good victories and, on a whole, their record is quite good. Secondly, the terracing offers a good view with the added bonus of being able to change ends at half time, something you can’t do at many grounds. Lastly, you get the chance to savour a real Forfar bridie.

Unfortunately, after today’s performance, the last reason might be the only good thing to come from visits to Forfar as the club’s slide in the league threatens to turn into an avalanche. This was the Binos third successive league defeat and the good start to the season is now becoming a dim and distant memory.

It has been almost 3 weeks since the debacle against Arbroath and the starting line up showed no fewer than 7 changes. Out were Paul Nugent (suspended) Stewart Devine, Chris Scotland and James Allan (substitutes bench) and Scott McLean (injury) whilst Mike Galloway and Andy Gibson had both left the club. In their places Barry Neville was at right back, Paul Hay moved to left back, George Rowe returned after injury, McDonald and trialist Canning were in midfield whilst a new pairing up front saw Dougie Wilson wearing the number 9 jersey along side loan signing Paul Di Giacomo from Kilmarnock.

The match kicked off with a cold wind blowing across the park and Forfar were the first to show in the early stages but the Binos defence dealt capably with the attacks. The Binos first attack saw a cross from the left headed wide by Canning. A minute later, the ball was played through to Di Giacomo but he pulled his right foot shot across the goalmouth and the ball went past for a goal kick. Di Giacomo was looking lively and he laid the ball into the path of Wilson whose deflected shot almost landed kindly to O’Brien in front of goal.

Forfar had muted appeals for a penalty turned down when Sellars went down in the box but it appeared to be more of a slip than a foul. At the other end, Wilson unselfishly laid the ball back to Ferguson but his shot was blocked by the legs of Forfar keeper Brown. O’Brien then had a shot cleared off the line in the 21st minute as the Binos threatened to take the lead. However, it was Forfar who were to take the lead when McNally inexplicably allowed the ball to go over his head unaware that Shields was behind him. Forfar’s second top scorer made no mistake in slotting the ball past Hogarth to make it 1-0 to Forfar. From my position it was unclear whether Hogarth had shouted for the ball but I have been reliably informed that there was no such shout therefore, for a player of McNally’s experience to make such a mistake, is inexcusable.

The Binos responded and Ferguson drove into the box and the ball broke to Di Giacomo but his shot was smothered by Brown. Then, just after the half hour mark, Forfar doubled their lead when Shields outpaced the Binos defence to slip the ball past Hogarth to make it 2-0 to Forfar.

Again the Binos responded. O’Brien cut in from the left and, what appeared to be a right foot shot, was met by the head of Canning but his effort went wide. The dangerous Shields managed to evade the Binos offside trap but he sent his shot over the bar. In the last action before half time, Tosh beat Rowe on the right and sent in a cross to Shields but the Forfar number 10, looking to complete his hat trick, only managed to shoot wide of the post.

Half time 2-0 to Forfar.

Neither team made any changes at half time but soon Forfar were 3-0 ahead when Stein slotted home a cross from the right. 2 minutes later, Forfar made the first change when Lunan was replaced by McClune. Shortly after that, Neville went off to be replaced by Devine, a move which saw Hay move to right back.

Just after the hour mark, Di Giacomo slipped the ball to Wilson but he only managed to shoot straight at Brown. Ferguson then went off to be replaced by Hutchison. A minute later, the game was over when Forfar scored their fourth. Rowe was beaten on the left and the cross was despatched past Hogarth by Shields to complete the Forfar player’s hat trick.

Going into the last 15 minutes, Di Giacomo came closest to scoring when his curling shot hit the post. McNally was then red carded when he picked up a second yellow card, having already been booked earlier in the half. The second booking was for a foul which was needless as there was no danger and, again, for a player of McNally’s experience to commit such a foul is beyond belief. The sending off was greeted with delight by a small band of Binos’ fans who had been shouting for McNally to be sent off earlier to save the team from any further embarrassment.

Forfar made their second substitution when Davidson went off to be replaced by Maher.

The Binos did get a consolation goal with 3 minutes to go when a Canning shot, which was going wide, was deflected off O’Brien and past Brown. O’Brien did not know too much about it and there was certainly no great show of delight by any of the Binos’ players.

There was no further scoring and the match ended 4-1 in Forfar’s favour.

The final score line certainly did not flatter Forfar as this was another poor performance from the Binos despite a promising start. Stirling are now beginning to lose to teams below them in the league and, whilst it is too early to be talking about relegation, a few more points will have to be gained to ensure that Second Division football is still played at Forthbank next season.

On the positive side, Di Giacomo looks a class player and we should see goals from him. Canning looked good at the beginning but, whether the club’s precarious financial position will allow an offer to be made, we will just have to wait and see. Unlike many others, I have been an admirer of McDonald and he has the vision to be a much better player. However, Ferguson continues to be a major disappointment. I would also like to see youth being given a chance in defence where Rowe and McNally are beginning to look as if they are past their best.