Stirling team:- Hogarth, Graham, Devine, Lowing, Lawrie, O'Neill, Corr, Molloy, Harty, Docherty, Grehan.
Subs:- McKenna, Murphy, Hamilton, Roycroft, Christie.

Alloa team:- Jellema, McClune, Campbell, McKeown, Forrest, Hill, Scullion, B. Ferguson, Stevenson, McCaulay, Scott
Subs:- Brown, Spence, McKenzie, Barker, White.

The Binos head to Alloa this weekend to take on local rivals Alloa Athletic in the second derby game of the season. The last time the two sides met it was Stirling that came away with all three points. This weekend’s visit to Recreation Park will be Stirling’s first since Alloa have installed their new Artificial Pitch as well as the temporary stand for the away support. Strling boss Allan Moore makes only one change to the team who came from behind to defeat Stranraer last week, Chris Hamilton drops to the bench for the Binos to make way for Martin Grehan on the wing. The Binos also see Sean Roycroft returning to the squad to replace the missing Nathan Taggart on the bench. The Binos are still without skipper Ross Forsyth after he picked up a knee injury that could see him sidelined for a few weeks.

As Alloa got the game underway the Binos were again soon on the back foot when David McLune hit a long range effort towards goal but it was more a hopeful effort as it didn’t trouble Myles Hogarth. More pressure from the Wasps seen the ball land for Andy Scott, who sent his cross across goal only for Myles Hogarth to gather the cross. Stirling soon set up an attack of their own as Ian Harty teamed up with Martin Grehan who had a shot at the Alloa goal but Ray Jellema managed to gather the strike. Alloa were soon back in control as Kyle MacAulay managed to make a bit of space where he could have a free strike at the Stirling goal but Andy Graham was on hand for the Binos to pressure the young midfielder in to fluffing his effort towards Myles Hogarth for an easy save. Stirling were back on the offensive for a second as Craig Molloy attempted to deliver a strike at goal but his dipping effort wide of goal.

The Binos were soon on the back foot again and after some poor defending from the Binos let a Alloa throw in fall for Jamie Stevenson who gathered before turning to clatter the ball past Myles Hogarth to give the home side the lead. It was comedy of errors that let the Wasps in front the defence should have been looking for the danger and trying to clear it.

Ian Harty was the first player to be booked after a proper strikers attempt to get the ball from a Alloa defender. The Wasps came close to doubling their lead as a the ball was diverted into the path of Iain Campbell who hit a powerful shot towards Myles Hogarth who could only knock the ball away to safety. Iain Campbell was soon given another chance to beat Hogarth from a free kick but the former Kilmarnock players effort went just wide of the post. As the match progressed it was Alloa who were looking the slightly better side as Dougie Hill set up Jamie Stevenson who seen his effort deflected behind for a goal kick.

The Binos nearly had something to celebrate just before half time as Liam Corr managed to make some space for himself to hit a shot at Ray Jellema’s goal but unfortunately for Corr he couldn’t keep his effort down and the ball went high over the bar. With that the referee called an end to the dreadful first half display from the Binos. Allos were deservedly in front at half time and were unlucky not to have a couple more goals at the break.

Half Time: Alloa Athletic 1 v 0 Stirling Albion

As the Binos got the second half under way it was clear that Allan Moore’s half time team talk didn’t do much as the Wasps soon doubled their lead when Brown Ferguson managed to control a cross into the box before setting up Kyle MacAulay who easily slotted the ball home from just 6 yards out. Yet again some for poor defending cost us a goal and gave Alloa some inspiration to go in the hunt for a third. Stirling’s Andy Graham was the second Bino to be booked after he clattered into Alloa’s Jamie Stevenson. Andy Graham though didn’t let is caution worry him as he managed to break up field before taking an effort at the Alloa goal from 25 yards out that was easily gathered by Ray Jellema.

The Stirling attack didn’t last long as play quickly switched to the other end of the pitch and the Wasps were awarded a free kick that was played into the box where Fraser Forrest was waiting to head home for Alloa’s third. Another goal that could have been prevented by the Stirling defence and the fans knew it as some of them got up and left and no one can blame them after the efforts of the team so far.

Stirling Albion were now in danger of losing more goals as the Wasps looked to go for a few more goals and they nearly had a fourth when Brown Ferguson broke into the Stirling box before hitting his effort just wide of the right hand post. Alloa’s Fraser Forrest was the first wasp to enter the referees book after he went in late on Ian Harty who was soon being replaced by David McKenna in the first round of substitutions for the Binos that also seen David Lowing being replaced by Chris Hamilton.

Alloa soon nearly made it four as Brown Ferguson again managed to break through the defensive lines of the Binos before hitting his effort direct at Myles Hogarth. Stirling were soon to respond as a Craig Molloy effort was gathered by Ray Jellma. The Binos soon had a vital life line as Martin Grehan knocked home after a corner kick.

Allan Moore mad his final change of the game as Mark Docherty was replaced by Paul Murphy and Alloa made their first change of the game as Graeme Brown replaced Andy Scott. Alloa’s Brown Ferguson must have been feeling over confident as he hit a long range free kick directly at Myles Hogarth just before Stiring’s Stewart Devine was booked for his challenge on Graeme Brown. Stirling were beginning to look a bit better as they started to make some space for themselves as John O’Neil set up Liam Corr for a shot at goal but unfortunately for the youngster he scuffed his effort.

Then Alloa were awarded a great chance to tie the game up after a long pass into the box had Andy Lawrie geting tangled up with Greame Brown who soon fell inside the box and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Up stepped Brown Fergusson to take the penalty and he didn’t hesitate with his chance to score Alloa’s fourth. The fourth goal for Alloa soon had the Albion fans heading for the exits but those who left missed an Albion comeback that started with a Liam Corr strike that was deflected goal wards by Alloa defender Dougie Hill. It was clear that Corr’s effort was going to trickle past the post but luckily for the Binos Dougie Hill stuck his leg out a bit to far and diverted the ball into his own net.

Alloa made their second change of the game as Pat Scullion was replaced by Steve Marker. Stirling soon had Alloa on the back foot as a free kick was headed on towards Andy Graham who hit a good volley that wasn’t too far away from goal. A Chris Hamilton cross was soon being diverted goalwards by John O’Neil but his effort was just over the bar. The Binos soon had a third goal as Paul Murphy hit an effort into the back of the Alloa net from 10 yards out to make the last few moments interesting for both sets of fans.

As Alloa started to panic a Stirling equaliser was looking likely and the equaliser nearly came when Chris Hamilton teed up John O’Neil who was clean through on goal, the assistant managers shot nearly went trickling in at the right hand post and it must have had the Alloa fans thinking they had lost it but O’Neils effort went inches past the post and out for a goal kick. Alloa had a chance to have one late sting as Jamie Stevenson had a chance to make it five for the asps but his effort was high over the bar. The final action of the half fell to Stirling as a Chris Hamilton cross picked out the head of Martin Grehan but Grehan’s header wasn’t powerful enough to trouble Jellema. At that the referee ended to disappointing game.

In what was yet another poor game from both teams, we were indeed the worst and we cannot have any complaints about losing the game after the shambolic defending that was on display from the Binos. Now is the time where Allan Moore and the team must stand up and be counted as if things don’t improve fast we could be looking at a relegation battle and with the supporters beginning to leave early it looks like the numbers attending Forthbank this season could hit an all time low.

Full Time: Alloa Athletic 4 v 3 Stirling Albion.

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