With no game this weekend, Stirling Albion can bask in the glory of their record-breaking 9-1 win over East Stirlingshire at Forthbank on Saturday for a bit longer.
The Binos racked up the biggest league victory in their history against a 10-man Shire side they had previously failed to beat this season on an incredible afternoon that saw Jordan White grab four goals as Greig McDonald’s men ran riot.
Stirling would have played Queen’s Park at Hampden this weekend had it not been for the League Cup final – the fixture is set for Tuesday, April 2 – which means their next outing is the ESPN live clash against leaders Rangers at noon on Saturday, March 23.
Kieran McAnespie and Brian Allison will both miss the game due to suspension but injured trio David Crawford, Graham Weir and Ross McGeachie are expected to return.
Until Saturday Albion’s record league win was 7-0, most recently against Queen of the South in 1996, and McDonald said: “It’s nice to make a bit of history.
“The sending-off was the key point in the game but credit to the players for taking advantage because it’s not always easy.
“People will make a lot of the score but I was just pleased with the attitude of my players: they were raging at losing a goal and that shows the progress we have made.
“The second half can become a non-event when you are comfortably ahead but we kept going and scored some quality goals.
“In the last nine games we have had five wins and three draws and were unlucky to lose at Berwick. The performances have been excellent and the players have done magnificently well – they certainly gave the supporters something to cheer about here.
“The other scores mean we are one point closer to the play-offs than before the game.”
East Stirlingshire boss John Coughlin said: “It’s my blackest day in football and the result will haunt us for the rest of our days as a club. We didn’t compete and some of the defending was horrific.”
White was thrilled to become the first Albion player to score four goals in a game since Scott McLean achieved the feat against Cowdenbeath in May 2004.
He said: “That’s my first senior hat-trick so I’m delighted. I had set myself a target of 20 goals for the season but had been stuck on 10 for a wee while – I’m back on track now.
“It was great to get the goals but the overall performance was excellent.
“There’s a great team spirit and will to win here.
“I wasn’t getting regular football at Falkirk and I needed to play games so I’m thankful to Stirling Albion for giving me the opportunity.”
Tickets for Albion’s game against Rangers on March 23 are on sale from the club office, priced £17 adults, £13 concessions, £5 U16s. The club are also providing bus transport at the cost of £8 return.
The Stirling Albion Lotto jackpot has risen to £13,500. Last week’s numbers were 3, 18, 29 and 39 and there were three three-number winners receiving £83.33 each.
