Stirling showed signs of improvement as they drew 1-1 against Elgin on Saturday but were wasteful in the final third and could’ve taken all three points.
The Binos made three changes from last week’s 4-0 trouncing to Forfar; captain McGeachie dropped to the bench as did Knox and Shanley. Cannon, Carse and Cunningham, replacing Shanley in the number 10 role, came in to replace them.
Elgin arrived in Stirling having won 4 out of their past 5 league games and started the better side in a bitterly cold and foggy FK7. On the 11th minute, Elgin struck just wide of Duffy’s left post.
But Stirling worked their way into the game, their first big chance falling to big man McLean, whose point-blank range volley demanded the reflexes of the Elgin goalie.
Stirling sprung into life in the next 10, McLean twice going close. A chaotic end to the first half saw Elgin keeper Ritchie carelessly losing the ball and nearly gifting a goal to the Binos before his own side somehow ended up with the ball and went a deflected shot short of going one up themselves.
The Binos began the second 45 as they’d finished the first. Hutchinson struck the cross bar on the hour mark before McLean finally put the Binos ahead a minute later. McNab’s sumptuous ball from the left wing landed at the feet of the Stirling striker, who promptly struck hard and low through the arms of the helpless Ritchie.
Stirling merited the one goal lead but, as if embarrassed to be winning a game of football, quickly sunk back into a defensive position.
Only 10 minutes later it was again all square, Stirling carelessly losing the ball on the left wing. Dingwall charged into the box with ease and struck hard and low past Duffy.
Although Stirling had a couple more chances in the final 20, it just wouldn’t come off for the Binos, wasteful in the final third.
Stirling nearly conceded what would’ve been a devastating second just before the final whistle, as the Elgin striker forced Duffie into a brilliant save, in turn sparing the blushes of his outfield players, who’d been on the attack only 10 seconds earlier.
It was a frustrating afternoon for the Albion, but after three consecutive league losses, it gives manager Maybury much needed breathing space. You feel that next weekend’s cup tie away against today’s opponents comes at the right time.
Featured Image Credit: James Parry
