Stirling Albion travelled to the Albert Bartlett Stadium to take on Airdrieonians in the KDM Evolution Trophy. A key change in Whittaker’s team was the inclusion of Robert Duffy, who made several important saves throughout the 90 minutes.
Despite going into the break a goal down, second-half goals from Harry Wright, Jordan Allan and Daniel Dobbie saw Stirling complete the turnaround and leave with a 3–1 victory. Wright grabbed his first goal of the season for the Binos, Allan continued his goalscoring form, while Dobbie capped off a strong 90 minutes with a late goal.
The League One side provided a tough test, but an impressive second-half performance saw Stirling come out on top.
Mahon had the first opportunity against Duffy after picking up a clearance down the left-hand side. Duffy initially spilled the ball but recovered well to settle some early Stirling nerves.
Dobbie looked strong through the middle, starting alongside McLean further forward. Mistakes from Airdrieonians allowed Hutchison to pick up the ball centrally, and his strong drive through the home defence found Fyfe on the left. He tried his luck from a tight angle, but his effort couldn’t get beyond the gloves of Melrose.
Airdrieonians opened the scoring in the 29th minute. Just as Stirling were beginning to look stronger, the hosts broke on the counter and a mistake from Denham inside the box allowed McLeish an opportunity around the penalty spot. His effort beat Duffy to give Airdrie the lead.
The hosts continued to control proceedings and created a couple more chances before half-time. Following the goal, Stirling found themselves having to work increasingly hard to progress beyond the halfway line.
In the 39th minute, Dobbie was shown the first yellow card of the match.
With three minutes of the half remaining, Yates looked to double Airdrie’s advantage with a curling effort heading towards the left post. Duffy stretched to get a glove to it, keeping Stirling within touching distance heading into the break.
Half-time: Airdrieonians 1–0 Stirling Albion
The hosts made two changes at the break, with captain Sam Fisher and Robbie Mahon replaced by AJ Bridge and Declan Gallagher.
Just five minutes into the second half, Harry Wright grabbed the equaliser and his first goal of the season for the Binos. Wright managed to get on the end of a cross towards the left post and steer the ball beyond Melrose, giving Stirling the perfect start to the second half.
Dobbie continued to impress through the middle, driving forward from halfway before finding Fyfe on the left, although he couldn’t get enough power behind his effort.
Raine was next to try his luck, turning and striking from the centre of the box, but Melrose remained composed and made the save.
In the 54th minute, Russell McLean and Lucas Fyfe made way for Josh Mullin and Jordan Allan.
Further substitutions followed five minutes later, with Lewis Gibson, Kian Taylor and a trialist replacing Matty Yates, a trialist and goalscorer Liam McLeish for Airdrie. Stirling also made a change, with Robbie McNab replacing Robin Raine.
The Binos looked increasingly dangerous with fresh legs on the pitch. As the game intensified, further changes followed, with Austin Laird replacing goalscorer Harry Wright. Callum Crane was then forced off through injury, with Murray Thomas taking his place in the 69th minute.
Jordan Allan completed the turnaround in the 76th minute as Stirling took the lead. Continuing his goalscoring form, Allan found an opening in the centre before producing a strong right-footed finish to beat Melrose and make it 2–1.
Airdrie responded with several attacks against the Stirling defence, but none of their opportunities seriously troubled Duffy as the Binos looked to hold onto their advantage heading into the final five minutes.
Daniel Dobbie then sealed the victory in dramatic fashion, firing into the bottom-right corner of the Airdrie net with just two minutes remaining.
It capped off an excellent second-half display from the Binos and secured another KDM Evolution Trophy victory.
The Binos return to league action this Saturday, 29 August, with an away trip to Elgin City.
Full-time: Airdrieonians 1–3 Stirling Albion
Stirling Albion
Starting XI: Duffy, McLean, Wright, Denham, Fyfe, Raine, Hutchison, Waugh, Gould, Dobbie, Crane (C)
Unused substitutes: McNeil, Hepburn, Russell, Cameron
Goals: Harry Wright (50′), Jordan Allan (76′), Daniel Dobbie (88′)
Airdrieonians
Starting XI: Melrose, Easton, Fisher (C), Simpson, Mahon, Yates, Boateng, Devine, McLeish, Williams, Trialist
Unused substitutes: Sneddon, Ross, James, Iserhienrhien
Goal: Liam McLeish (29′)
