Stirling Albion put in their worst performance of the season so far on Saturday at the Forthbank, losing 4-0 to Forfar.
Stirling took to the pitch on the back of an unexpected challenge cup win against third division side Peterhead on Tuesday night.
For their part, Forfar had beaten another third division side in Cove Rangers and were looking to win two on the bounce for the first time since August.
Forfar started the better side, and despite McLean having his header cleared off the line 15 minutes in, it was Forfar who would go on to open the scoring on the half hour mark.
Forfar played a promising ball over the top, and Stuart Morrison did well to turn and strike hard into the bottom corner. Although, it must be said that he was fortunate to be unmarked. Poor defending was to become a theme for Stirling.
Only five minutes later, Forfar received a penalty. A ball down Forfar’s left wing looked to be offside. Right back Lee Hamilton was the only man to get anywhere near the ball as the Forfar player cut into the box but succeeded only in slicing through his legs. The Stirling defence would do well to remind themselves of the age-old proverb “play to the whistle”. Forward Scott Shepherd calmly slotted down the middle.
Defender Aidan Cannon came on for midfielder Knox in the only Stirling halftime change.
Just a couple of minutes into the second 45, Russell McLean very nearly gave the Binos a lifeline, striking the inside of the post from point blank range before goalkeeper Stafford smothered the ball.
On the 51st minute, Stirling had another shot, this time from just outside the 18 yard box, easily saved by Stafford, but it was better.
That was as good as it would get for the Binos however, as following Alan Maybury’s 3 changes in the 63rd minute, Forfar ended any Stirling hopes of a remarkable comeback. The Binos defence struggled to clear a dangerous ball from the penalty area despite multiple opportunities to do so and Martin Rennie capitalised.
Stirling continued to get opportunities here and there but never looked likely to score. On the 70th minute, Shanley volleyed just over from a promising through ball.
But 5 minutes later, mass exodus ensued as Mark Whatley struck from 30 yards out into the top left corner. It was a lovely strike from Whatley, but the amount of space he had was outrageous.
Post match, Stirling manager Alan Maybury said that every goal was preventable, and blamed a lack of composure. He added that with the amount of defenders in Forfar’s team, Stirling’s tendency to attempt to play through the middle was always going to fail. It’s true that when Stirling did get the ball onto the wings, they looked better. Maybe, if McLean had netted his opportunity at the beginning of the second 45, I’d be writing a different match report. Perhaps, the Binos are simply still waiting for it to click. Time and patience is running out, however, as they find themselves in the unenviable position of second bottom, superior only to Edinburgh City, who were deducted 15 points at the start of the season.
Next, Stirling have two games against Elgin, the latter of which is in the cup. Whether Alan Maybury will last both of those games is anyone’s guess.
