In a tremendous win on the road, the Binos beat Montrose at Links Park in a tense 1-0 win. Montrose began the match aggressively, with Paul Watson testing Blair Currie early in the match with a shot on goal.
Montrose consistently lobbed long balls and hanging crosses into the Albion box which was in contrast to Stirling’s usual fluid and fast passing. However, neither side could capitalise on their chances, with both sides failing to find the net in the final third.
In the 15th minute of the game, Stirling’s had their first chance on goal, but unfortunately Dale Hilson lost his footing at the final moment after a precise pass from Carrick. Montrose’s Ali Shrive also saw his volley brilliantly saved by Currie in the 20th minute, highlighting the keepers top form.
Lewis Milne and Carrick combined beautifully for a shot on goal, but the ball was fired over the bar. Stirling’s biggest chance of the first half came from a Paul McLean volley in the 32nd minute, as the skippers cracking strike rattled the crossbar. The ball then fell to Crane on the rebound, but the shot was collected by the Montrose Keeper, keeping the teams deadlocked going into the break.
Half-Time 0-0
Stirling Albion kicked off the second half with intensity. Despite an early shot from Shrive, again, Stirling grew into the game. Hilson and Moore created several chances, with Moore’s shot on goal narrowly missing the target.
Montrose made a double substitution in an attempt to shift the momentum back into their favour, bringing on Craig Brown and Craig Batchelor for Watson and Ben Hermison.
The decisive moment came in the 69th minute when Callum Crane, stealing the ball in the midfield, charged through on goal and slotted the ball into the net comfortably to score a goal on his debut for the club.
New signing Kieran Offord made his debut for the club, coming on in the 74th minute, replacing Dale Hilson. Offord was received well by the travelling support and showcased his pace, closing down channels and attempting to create a second goal for the Binos.
Crane received a red card ten minutes after his goal, as referee Scott Lambie decided that a jumping challenge on Harry Craig warranted him going for an early shower. Despite being down to ten men, Stirling defended extremely well as Montrose began to pile the pressure on Stirling Albion’s back line.
In the closing stages of the game, Montrose’s desperation showed, with Lyons receiving a yellow card for simulation as he dived inside the box. Stirling’s final substitution brought on Aaron Dunsmore for Kieran Moore.
The final action of the match was a yellow card for Harry Craig following a crunching challenge on Jordan McGregor.
The Binos head back to Stirling with three well-earned points on the road, beginning the new year on a high.
Full-Time 0-1
Stirling Albion: Currie, Clark, McLean, McGregor, Cummins, Carrick (McGeachie 90’), Moore (, Banner, Milne, Hilson (Offord 74’), Crane
Substitutes: White, McGeachie, Dunsmore, Wilson, Offord, Miller, Cooper, Spence
Montrose: Gill, Williamson, Steeves, Quinn, Webster, Watson (Brown 62’), Lyons, Hermison (Batchelor 62’), Dillon, Shrive (Callaghan 74’), Graham (Craig 74’)
Substitutes: Matthews, Paton, Bradford, Cochrane, Batchelor, Callaghan, Craig, Brown
