It’s 3rd vs 2nd this weekend as The Warriors welcome local rivals Stirling Albion to Ochilview for the first time this season.
Both teams are on fine form with The Warriors undefeated in 6 and The Binos not losing in their last 5.
Stenhousemuir fans will want to forget the last meeting between the sides, a 3-0 victory for Stirling. The Warriors had the worst possible start to match going a goal behind and having a man sent off after just 5 minutes.
This Saturday should be a more level playing field though, and Swifty is up for the challenge and the website asked how training his been this week.
“I think because we’ve been in a good place, unbeaten in 6, it’s always going to be upbeat, players vying for spots and there’s a couple available. So we just need to keep moving forward and get a win on Saturday.”
Stirling Albion impressed on their last outing, demolishing league leaders Dumbarton 6-0. How does that type of result effect the gaffers game plan, and does it require a tweak?
“We’ve obviously got to give them respect. In the last 4 games, they’ve scored 16 and conceeded 3, but that’s obviously got to be respected. They’re scoring lot of goals and they’re not conceding too much, so it’s a good combination to have. They’re the team on form in the league at the moment, but we’re not far behind them. If we get things right on the day, and if we play well, it’s going to take a good team to come here and beat us. But, if we don’t play well, like anyone else, we can get turned over and that’s just the way it goes, it’s professional football and if you don’t turn up, you’ll get beat. But, I’ve said to the boys, if we’re in the right headspace, it’s going to take a right good team to beat us.”
We’ve scored 16 goals in the last 6 matches, so we’re finding the net, but we’re conceding more and that’s got to be an issue for the gaffer.
“The last 4 games was 8 goals for and 8 against. We’ve picked up some good points, but you can’t keep getting away with that. We can’t keep going 2-2 and 3-3 and 4-2, you’ve got to try and shut up shop because some games will be tight, and that might be the case on Saturday and if we don’t defend well enough, that goal against column is going to go against us.”
Swifty did have to watch most of Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Annan from the stand, but his red card has been rescinded, and he’s available to take his position in the home dugout on Saturday.
“Yea, I’m delighted with that because I thought it was really harsh. I only highlighted to the referee the decision that he made not to deal with the first thing, what I had been sent off for earlier in the season, and he came over and booked me. Then I said that’s because you didn’t do your job, and he booked me again. So, I was disappointed to be sent off, but I’m glad that there’s no suspension.”
In terms of a squad update, Swifty almost has a full squad at his disposal.
“Callum Yeats and Liam Brown are still unavailable, but we’re looking to get Mikey Miller and Dan Higgins back and we’re looking forward to Saturday.”
The website has also spoke to Ross Forbes this week and asked on his thoughts on how this week has gone after last week’s 2-2 draw with Annan.
“Training has been the usual really. High temp and good standard and everyone is looking forward to Saturday’s game. Obviously it was disappointing not to get 3 points on Saturday, but I think we seen the characters of the boys to get the goals back. Disappointing to lose the late goal obviously, but it keeps the unbeaten run going and hopefully we keep it up.”
The 6 match undefeated run matches the longest in the Swift Era and we asked how important it was to keep that going.
“That’s been our biggest downfall, our consistency hasn’t been there, especially last season when it was a bit stop start. We’d go 3 unbeaten, then 1 or 2 defeats and a draw and having to start again and trying to get the momentum going again. So it’s important that we keep the run going.”
Finally, we asked Forbsey about Saturday’s opponents and what he’s expecting.
“We’re expecting a very tough game. They’ve been on great form and scored a lot of goals, and haven’t conceded many at the same time. So, we’re expecting a tough test.”
MATCHDAY INFORMATION
Kick-off: 3pm
Match Entry: Both home and away fans can enter via pay at the gate [cash] or you can purchase your ticket in advance by using Fanbase. Adult admission costing £14, concessions £9 and under 16’s just £5.
Getting Here: Click here for details of how to get to Ochilview by car or train.
Season Card Holders: Season Tickets are valid for this match, the Season Ticket number will be displayed at the turnstiles.
The Pie Hut: Food and drinks will be available to be purchased once again from the Pie Hut.
The Wee Bar: The Wee Bar is open from 12pm with all fans welcome.
Ochilview Matchday Guide: You can read our Matchday Guide here and ensure that you have everything that you need for your visit to the ground.
Referee: Duncan Williams
Assistants: Craig Macrae & Ian Hart
OPPOSITION INFORMATION
Full name Stirling Albion Football Club
Nickname(s) The Binos
Founded 1945
Ground Forthbank Stadium, Stirling
Capacity 3,808 (2,508 seated)
Chairman Vacant
Manager Darren Young
2021–22 Scottish League Two, 7th of 10
Last 10 Matches
| Date | Venue | Competition | Opponent | Result | Score |
| 8/10/22 | Home | League 2 | Dumbarton | W | 6-0 |
| 1/10/22 | Away | League 2 | East Fife | W | 2-1 |
| 24/9/22 | Away | League 2 | Forfar Athletic | W | 1-4 |
| 17/9/22 | Home | League 2 | Stranraer | W | 4-1 |
| 3/9/22 | Home | League 2 | Albion Rovers | D | 1-1 |
| 27/8/22 | Away | League 2 | Bonnyrigg Rose | L | 1-0 |
| 24/8/22 | Away | Challenge Cup | Brechin City | L [pen] | 1-1 |
| 20/8/22 | Away | League 2 | Annan Athletic | W | 1-2 |
| 13/8/22 | Home | League 2 | Stenhousemuir | W | 3-0 |
| 8/8/22 | Home | League 2 | Elgin City | D | 2-2 |
Top Scorers
| Rank | Name | Goals | Assists | Played | Goals per 90 | Mins per Goal | Total Shots | Goal Conversion | Shot Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Dale Carrick
|
9 | 4 | 14 | 0.72 | 126 | 26 | 35% | 62% |
| 2 |
Robert Thomson
|
5 | 1 | 13 | 0.42 | 215 | 32 | 16% | 50% |
| 3 |
Kai Fotheringham
|
3 | 3 | 6 | 0.53 | 170 | 12 | 25% | 58% |
| 3 |
Kyle Banner
|
3 | 1 | 12 | 0.34 | 261 | 6 | 50% | 83% |
| 5 |
Kieran Moore
|
2 | 1 | 14 | 0.20 | 458 | 12 | 17% | 75% |
| 5 |
Paul McLean
|
2 | 0 | 14 | 0.15 | 595 | 6 | 33% | 67% |
| 7 |
Jack Leitch
|
1 | 4 | 12 | 0.11 | 819 | 13 | 8% | 62% |
| 7 |
Adam Cummins
|
1 | 3 | 11 | 0.09 | 980 | 10 | 10% | 50% |
| 7 |
Ross McGeachie
|
1 | 2 | 11 | 0.13 | 715 | 3 | 33% | 33% |
| 7 |
Danny Denholm
|
1 | 1 | 12 | 0.17 | 537 | 9 | 11% | 44% |
| 7 |
Aaron Dunmore
|
1 | 1 | 14 | 0.13 | 709 | 6 | 17% | 50% |
| 7 |
Cammy Clark
|
1 | 1 | 11 | 0.09 | 953 | 6 | 17% | 67% |
The statistics shown for each player include any goals they may have scored in the following competitions in the current season: Scottish League Cup, Scottish League Two
FIXTURE INFORMATION
Last 10 Meetings
| 13/8/22 | Away | League Two | L | 3-0 |
| 5/3/22 | Home | League Two | W | 1-0 |
| 2/1/22 | Away | League Two | L | 1-2 |
| 6/11/21 | Home | League Two | W | 3-1 |
| 31/7/21 | Away | League Two | L | 0-1 |
| 30/3/21 | Away | League Two | L | 0-1 |
| 24/10/20 | Away | League Two | D | 2-2 |
| 3/3/20 | Home | League Two | D | 0-0 |
| 28/12/19 | Away | League Two | L | 0-2 |
| 28/9/19 | Home | League Two | D | 1-1 |
ON THIS DAY – 15 OCTOBER
| Year | Opponent | Competition | Venue | Result | Score |
| 2016 | Stranraer | League One | Home | L | 0-5 |
| 2011 | Dumbarton | Division Two | Home | W | 3-1 |
| 2005 | Berwick Rangers | Division Three | Home | L | 0-1 |
| 1994 | Dumbarton | Division Two | Away | W | 2-1 |
| 1991 | Ayr United | Challenge Cup | Home | L | 0-2 |
| 1988 | East Fife | Division Two | Away | L | 1-2 |
| 1983 | East Stirlingshire | Division Two | Away | W | 3-1 |
| 1977 | Brechin City | Division Two | Home | D | 2-2 |
| 1966 | Queens Park | Division Two | Away | L | 1-4 |
| 1960 | Montrose | Division Two | Away | L | 0-4 |
| 1955 | Montrose | Division Two | Home | W | 4-3 |
| 1949 | Forfar Athletic | Division Two | Away | D | 1-1 |
| 1938 | Airdrieonians | Division Two | Home | W | 3-2 |
| 1927 | Albion Rovers | Division Two | Away | L | 0-4 |
| 1921 | Bo’ness | Division Two | Home | W | 1-0 |
LEAGUE INFORMATION
Fixtures
Annan Athletic vs Stranraer
Bonnyrigg Rose vs East Fife
Dumbarton vs Albion Rovers
Elgin City vs Forfar Athletic
Stenhousemuir vs Stirling Albion
Table
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | League Form | |
| 1 | Dumbarton | 10 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 17 | 12 | 5 | 22 | WWLDL |
| 2 | Stirling Albion | 10 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 24 | 10 | 14 | 20 | DWWWW |
| 3 | Stenhousemuir | 10 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 19 | 18 | 1 | 17 | WDWWD |
| 4 | Elgin City | 10 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 22 | 17 | 5 | 16 | WDWWW |
| 5 | East Fife | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 14 | LDLLW |
| 6 | Bonnyrigg Rose | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 13 | 13 | 0 | 13 | LLLLW |
| 7 | Stranraer | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 40 | 16 | 21 | -5 | LLWWL |
| 8 | Annan Athletic | 10 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 22 | -10 | 9 | WDLDL |
| 9 | Albion Rovers | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 13 | -4 | 8 | DLLWL |
| 10 | Forfar Athletic | 10 | 2 | 2 | 6 | 10 | 16 | -6 | 8 | LWLDL |
