Report: Stirling Albion 0-0 Berwick Rangers – SPFL Ladbrokes League Two
The ‘Gers finished the opening quarter of the 16/17 season as the only side to remain undefeated on the road as a 0-0 draw earned them a point at Forthbank.
Boss John Coughlin was pleased with the clean sheet and result, admitting: “We have been under the cosh recently with injuries and suspsensions. Stirling have a strong squad and they’re obviously trying to get Martyn Corrigan the job permanently.”
Coughlin was pleased with his side’s point
Albion had more of the play and the better of the chances over the course of the game but clear-cut opportunities were at a premium on a sodden surface that saw both sets of players struggle to keep their feet at times.
Berwick finished with 10 men after ex-Forthbank full-back Kevin McKinlay saw red in stoppage time following an altercation with teammate Brian Martin.
There was no faulting the effort put in by either side but whilst the Binos had more of the play, they couldn’t find the killer touch in the final third, although Marc McKenzie was only just too high with a 20-yarder in the second half.
Stirling created some good openings but weren’t able to make the most of them on a day when neither goalkeeper had too much to do. Jordyn Sheerin fired a long-range drive narrowly wide for the Black and Gold army but the big talking point was two penalty appeals – one for each team.
Berwick had a big shout midway through the second half when Sean Dickson appeared to catch McKinlay then, right at the end, substitute Blair Henderson seemed to be barged in the back but again referee Mike Taylor waved away the claims.
John Coughlin revealed he felt both sides could be disappointed not to see their side awarded a spot kick, explaining: “There were two penalty claims and in my opinion they were both penalties. Their boy slid but that doesn’t matter – Kevin (McKinlay) was taken out the game. Then Blair (Henderson) gets battered in the back.”
The result leaves Berwick 5th in the table, one point outside the play-off spots. Berwick will take another break from league duty this weekend to go up against Hawick Royal Albert in William Hill Scottish Cup 2nd round action.
Stirling Albion: C Smith, McGeachie, McMillan, Scott Davidson, Petrie, Hodge, Dickson, McKenzie, D Smith (Olanrewaju 63), Ferns (Kavanagh 86), Layne (Henderson 74).
Subs (not used): Verlaque, McCue, Morrison, Binnie (GK).
Berwick Rangers: Walker, Beveridge, McKinlay, Notman, Wilson, Fairbairn, Thomson, Martin, Lavery, Hurst (Watt 81), Sheerin.
Subs (not used): Hogg, Orru, Dolan, Hamilton, Brennan (GK).
Referee: Mike Taylor
Crowd: 517
Report courtesy of Stirling Albion FC.
