Another away day for Stirling at the beginning of the month as they travelled down to
Annan to take on Annan Athletic. It was the first time the club had been back to
Galabank after the turbulent 3-3 draw in March. Returning to Stirling, Kurtis Robert’s
started in Whitaker’s 11, whilst McNab was set high. With his starting return, McNeil
made a number of outstanding saves to prevent Annan’s strong chances. The Binos
looked noticeably stronger after their KDM Trophy match against Fraserburgh last
weekend and finally got another win in the league that Whittaker had been waiting
for.
With multiple players out injured, Stirling’s defence knew they would have to work
harder to defend 7 th in the league, Annan’s chances. In the first ten minutes, play
rarely left McNeil’s box however, control from Waugh and Hutchison prevented a
finish from the home side’s forwards.
In 14 th minute, McNab managed to stay onside to attempt a chance from the right-
hand side. His efforts, however, went wide and Dobbie wasn’t there for the knock on.
Minutes later, the forward found a second chance but a solid block from Albinson
prevented the away side from taking the lead.
In 24 th minute, Cameron gets a chip around Annan’s defence and finds McNab at the
left post, his shot went high over Albinson’s crossbar.
Muir took his shot in 28 th minute as he raced McNab to the ball at the 25. McNeil
dived and fortunately, the chance went wide.
Stirling took a couple chances in the final ten minutes with Hutchison going for the
cross to McNab as the Binos searched for the opener.
HALF TIME: Stirling Albion 0 – 0 Annan Athletic
As the second half got underway, Cameron found the tight angle from the left post
with Thomas firing one in from the spot. Annan somehow got the clearance from the
goal line. A solid start for the Binos.
This time, across the field, Dixon looked to take the home side one goal up but a
huge save from McNeil prevented any chance.
Goal in the 55 th minute as Cameron took another drive down the left side, cut inside
for a chance which was saved by Albinson, but his deflection was in the path of
Thomas who finished the chance for Stirling. The Binos took the lead at the
beginning of the end-to-end second half.
Annan Athletic replaced Paul Smith with Steven Buchanan in 56 th minute.
After, Annan looked stronger with a couple chances on their end, they added more
fresh feet to the park as Alistair Roy replaced Josh Dixon.
A. Smith looked to get the equaliser as he worked the tight angle by the left post. As
the ball flew past McNeil, it skimmed only the goal line as Stirling kept their lead with
20 minutes to go.
The crowd got out of their seats as Maxwell’s chance looked to go in from Annan’s
corner. Totally unmarked, his chance went wide of McNeil’s right post.
Stirling made their first changes in 73 rd minute as Jordan Allan replaced Murray
Thomas whilst Annan replaced Mouhamed Niang and Charlie Maxwell with Dylan
Williams and Corey O’Donnell.
Captain Muir came close again as his flick on hit the top of the crossbar in 78 th
minute.
Back on the pitch, Allan looked to take Stirling two up with a strike from the left side
of the penalty spot, Albinson however, managed to get his gloves to it as five
minutes was left to play.
Robin Raine replaced Robbie McNab in the final minutes of the match.
With Annan’s players and fans rattled, Stirling had opportunities to strengthen their
lead however a scuffle between the teams halted any chance. The Binos anxiously
anticipated the final whistle.
FULL TIME: Stirling Albion 1 – 0 Annan Athletic
Stirling Albion:
Starting XI: McNeil, Thomas, Hamilton, McNab, Roberts, Mullin ©, Hutchison,
Waugh, Dobbie, Cameron, Crane
Unused substitutes: Duffy, Wright, Laird, Denham, Chuter, Samuel, Smith
Goal scorers: Murray Thomas (55’)
Annan Athletic:
Starting XI: Albinson, Clark, McKnight, Watson, Dixon, P. Smith, A. Smith, Muir ©,
Niang, Maxwell, Gibson
Unused substitutes: Sliwinski, C. Williams
