The Binos made the short trip along the M8 to Coatbridge on bonfire day hoping to continue their recent sparkling form and aiming for 8 wins in a row. Manager Darren Young made one change to the team that beat Bonnyrigg Rose last week with Ross Davidson coming in for Harrison Clark in midfield. There was also a return to the squad for Paul McLean. He came onto the bench after missing out the previous week through injury.
The opening exchanges of the game were uneventful with both teams trying to get comfortable playing on the heavy surface.
The opening goal of the game came on 19 minutes for the hosts. A mistake at the back by Ross McGeachie allowed Charlie Reilly – who gave the Stirling defence a torrid time all afternoon – in behind and he made no mistake from 12 yards, slotting past Blair Currie in the Stirling goal.
It was almost 2 for Rovers a few minutes later but Cammy Clark got across to clear off the line.
Stirling’s first real chance of the game came in the 26th minute as Ross Davidson watched a free kick from 20 yards go just past the post.
Stirling came into the game more towards the end of the first half but couldn’t break down a solid Rovers defence and found themselves behind at the break.
Half Time: Albion Rovers 1 – 0 Stirling Albion
The first chance of the second half fell the way of Stirling as Dale Carrick forced the Rovers keeper into a top save with a hooked shot that was heading into the top corner. Then Stirling had a major penalty shout on 53 minutes as Aaron Dunsmore had his shirt pulled with only an empty net to head into. The referee wasn’t for moving. And in the 67th minute, the Binos were dealt a further blow when Robert Thomson was shown a straight red card after a challenge on Devan McColl.
Stirling seemed to up the tempo after the red card and their hard work paid off as the equaliser came in the 85th minute. Kai Fotheringham floated in a lovely free kick and Dale Carrick found the net via the crossbar to bring us on level terms. That’s 7 goals in 7 league games for the Stirling number 9.
And that’s how it finished.
Full Time: Albion Rovers 1 – 1 Stirling Albion
Next up for Stirling is a home game against Annan Athletic on Saturday 12th November. See you there!
Stirling: Currie, McGeachie, Cummins, C.Clark, Dunsmore(Moore 63’), Banner(H.Clark 63’), Davidson, Fotheringham(Denholm 90’), Carrick, Thomson.
Subs not used: Law, Burns, McLean, Cooper
