STIRLING Albion have the chance to go top of Division Two tomorrow (Saturday) when they take on leaders Cowdenbeath at Central Park.
Allan Moore’s men are two points behind the Blue Brazil with a game in hand after Saturday’s 3-3 draw at home to East Fife, coupled with the termination of Cowden’s 11-match unbeaten sequence at Dumbarton.
It might be the end of January but Albion only begin the second half of their campaign this weekend. Four weather-related postponements plus next weekend’s home match with Arbroath, which is off due to the Scottish Cup tie at Ross County, have yet to be rearranged.
Assistant manager John O’Neill has urged Stirling to prove their title credentials by winning at Central Park for the second time this term, after goals from David McKenna and Martin Grehan earned the Binos a 2-1 triumph in Fife back in September.
He said: “We have spoken to the boys and this is the quarter where we really need to push on if we want to win the league. There is a chance for us to go top this weekend and I would like to think we can take it – that’s the incentive for us.
“It was disappointing to drop two points against East Fife but we played some good stuff. Being away from home against Cowdenbeath is probably not a bad thing as we seem to do better on our travels – hopefully that will continue.”
Stirling haven’t played an away league game since the incredible 4-3 success at Arbroath on December 12 but they have won six out of eight away from Forthbank.
Massive
With Albion not back in league action after this weekend until the February 13 trip to Dumbarton, victory would be a massive boost, particularly as Alloa and Brechin – also in the top four – will expect full points at home to Arbroath and Stenhousemuir.
Stewart Devine is set to miss out with a groin problem and that could see Paul Murphy or Scott Robertson start alongside Chris Aitken in the middle of the park.
O’Neill reported no new injury worries after the midweek bounce game against Falkirk Amateurs but striker Derek Colquhoun – who featured as a trialist against East Fife – is unavailable because of a Scottish Amateur Cup tie.
Grehan, who is Stirling’s top league marksman with seven goals, is doubtful and that could mean a recall for Michael Mullen.
Cowdenbeath have played two matches in 2010, drawing 2-2 away to East Fife in the middle of the month before last weekend’s late setback at Dumbarton.
Meanwhile skipper Ross Forsyth is hoping to continue his excellent form this weekend. The former St Johnstone player has been a stand-out on the left flank and scored the equaliser against East Fife, having claimed his first goal of the campaign in the 2-2 draw with Cowdenbeath at Forthbank in November.
He said: “It was nice to get the equaliser – they were claiming for a free-kick but I thought it was a fair challenge. In the end a draw turned out to be not a bad result because Cowdenbeath lost.
Poor
“The second and third goals we conceded were really poor defensively. We have brought in Brian Allison from Falkirk and Craig McKeown from Dundee on loan and they are both good players – it will maybe just take time for us to gel as a defence.
“It certainly makes things interesting for the game at Cowdenbeath. Playing away maybe suits us because we are a good counterattacking team and have pace in wide areas.”
Stirling Albion have confirmed that Chris Aitken has officially been credited with the first goal in Saturday’s 3-3 draw against East Fife. It was reported in some quarters as a Jonathan Smart own goal but Aitken was marked down on the official team line sent to the SFL.
McBookie have made the Blue Brazil 5/4 favourites to come away with three points. Albion are 13/8 to win and the draw is 13/5.
