Cumbernauld Colts preview
A place in Tuesday afternoon’s draw for the fourth round of the William Hill Scottish Cup is the prize on offer when we face Cumbernauld Colts at Forthbank on Saturday.
If the game ends in a draw, the replay will take place at Broadwood on Tuesday December 8, kick-off 7.45pm.
We beat East Fife 1-0 in a second-round replay earlier this month and are looking to bounce back from a 1-0 defeat to Queen’s Park at Hampden in Ladbrokes League 2.
Team news: Goalkeeper Chris Smith returns after a one-match ban but winger Phil Johnston and skipper Ross McMillan remain on the injury list. Sandy Cunningham and Willie Robertson face late fitness tests after picking up knocks.
Opponents: Cumbernauld Colts are fifth out of 15 in their debut season in the Lowland League and are unbeaten in their last nine matches in all competitions. Co-managers Craig McKinlay and James Orr moved from Dunipace Juniors in the summer and have already guided Colts to Scottish Cup victories over Glasgow University and Auchinleck Talbot. Richie Kirwan scored the winner in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Gala Fairydean, with fellow ex-Albion player Blair Munn also in the side.
Scottish Cup: We reached the fourth round last season, where we lost 2-0 to Raith Rovers, but required a replay and a marathon penalty shoot-out to get past Hurlford United in round three. Our best run in the competition is the quarter-finals, a stage we last reached in 1989/90. Our first ever Scottish Cup tie at Forthbank was a 1-0 win over Berwick Rangers in January 1994.
Admission: Adults £10, Concessions £5. Season tickets are not valid.
Referee: Mike Taylor
Fans: Albion supporters should use turnstiles 1 & 2 in the West Stand.
Turnstiles 7 & 8 will be open in the East Stand for Cumbernauld Colts fans.
Binos Bar: Open before and after the game. All welcome.
Programme: Small-size programme will be on sale, priced £1.
Lottery: Tickets on sale before the game. Jackpot is £13,750!
Club shop: Find us in the West Stand. Christmas isn’t too far away!
Twitter: Updates will be available @Stirling_Albion
Next game: Stirling Albion v Elgin City – 05/12/15
Next round: A fourth-round tie on Saturday January 9 is at stake.