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Swifty did have to watch most of Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Annan from the stand, but his red card has been rescinded, and he’s available to take his position in the home dugout on Saturday.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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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