STIRLING Albion are looking to improve on a poor recent record in the Co-operative Insurance Cup when they welcome Forfar to Forthbank on Saturday.
The Binos have reached the second round only once in the last four seasons, losing 2-0 to Hearts in 2007-08, and have since suffered successive first-round exits to Arbroath and Ayr United.
John O’Neill’s men go into the tie on a real high following last weekend’s penalty shoot-out victory against Falkirk in the ALBA Challenge Cup but the manager knows Forfar will provide his new-look team with a stern test.
He said: “They played Dundee in a friendly during the week and I had someone watch the game for us so we’ll have a good look at the report. They might have lost but I won’t read too much into it. Dick Campbell has an experienced side up there and they will be on a high after winning promotion to the Second Division.
“It’s a very important game for us. We want to be in the hat for the next round and it’s also vital to bring in revenue to the club at this time. If we get through we could get the likes of Aberdeen or Hearts but we can’t start thinking about that at the moment.
“We are the home team and it’s up to us to try and take the game to Forfar and cause them problems. Our home form has not always been the best in the last couple of years but we want this to be a tough place for teams to come.
“I will have a think about the formation we play this weekend. It was 4-5-1 against Falkirk but we have options and we looked good when Derek Colquhoun came on. We are obviously still short of strikers but we have a number of attack-minded midfielders like Ryan Borris and Chris Aitken who are capable of pushing forward and getting a goal.”
O’Neill reported no injury worries after Tuesday night’s training session but Ross Forsyth will miss out due to suspension, having been sent off in the first round defeat to Ayr United in last year’s competition. Stewart Devine is in line to deputise at left-back.
Meanwhile, Stirling were set to field an entire team of trialists in a bounce game against Bo’ness United at Forthbank last night (Thursday) as O’Neill continues to look for new players.
A number of French players are among those hoping to win a deal and O’Neill said: “The best way is to have a match and we can take it from there. From what I have seen in training there is certainly some talent and we still have budget to add a striker.
“I’m also hopeful of doing a deal with Alex Gramovics before the weekend. There are still one or two things to sort out but I think he is a player who would offer us a different dimension in midfield. I know we have quite a few options in that area but he did well with Clyde last season and is very comfortable on the ball.”
Albion would certainly settle for a repeat of the last League Cup meeting between the teams back in August 1998 when John Philliben’s side beat Forfar 1-0 at Station Park before losing only on penalties to Dundee United after a 2-2 draw in the second round.
The most recent encounter in any competition was at Station Park in March 2007 when Allan Moore’s men won 2-0 en route to promotion to Division One via the play-offs.
Albion’s ALBA Challenge Cup second-round tie against East Fife will be played at New Bayview on Tuesday, August 10. Stirling shocked Falkirk 3-1 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in round one while Stevie Crawford’s side edged a thriller 4-3 against Brechin after extra time. The clubs have never previously met in the Challenge Cup but Albion took 10 points out of a possible 12 in the four league games between the teams in 2009-10.
Season tickets can be purchased/collected from the Stirling Albion Stadium Shop at Forthbank (ground floor) between 1.45pm and 3pm prior to the matches tomorrow (Saturday) and August 14 (Cowdenbeath). Prices are £270 for adults (£250 trust members), £160 for concessions (including students), £65 for children aged 16 and under and £50 for Young Reds.
Admission prices for Saturday’s match against Forfar are £14 for adults and £7 for senior citizens/students. Children go free as part of Co-operative Insurance’s sponsorship of the competition. Season tickets are valid.
