Irn-Bru SFL Division 3 – 25/08/12
Stirling Albion went into this match on the back of a mixed start to their season. Having defeated Annan Athletic 5-1 at home on the opening day of the season, they suffered a 3-1 loss away to Elgin City. Greig McDonald and his players were looking to secure their second home victory in succession, and get themselves back into winning ways.
The first-half was a scrappy affair, and took a while to really get going. Stirling's only real chances in the opening quarter came from a deflected Keiran McAnespie free-kick, which went just wide of the Clyde goal. Not long after, Mark Ferry had an opportunity to put Stirling ahead, but his header effot from a corner floated just wide of the post.
Clyde found themselves ahead in the twenty-fifth minute when forward, Stefan McCluskey, teed up his fellow striker, Kevin Watt, who turned the Albion defence inside out and finished neatly inside Mark Peat's left hand post.
Just a few minutes later, Clyde's front two worked another good chance, when McCluskey set up Watt, who curled his shot onto the roof of the Stirling goal.
Albion looked to find an equaliser before going in at half-time, and they nearly found a stroke of luck when Steven Weir's sliced cross hit the crossbar, with Clyde 'keeper, Jamie Barclay, left flat-footed.
Significant chances in the second-half for either side where hard to come by. Albion's best chance of the half came when Steven Weir's cross was palmed away by Jamie Barclay in the Clyde goal, only to find Keiran McAnespie tamely heading it straight back into the goalkeeper's hands.
Clyde were looking to double their advantage, when Stefan McCluskey cut inside and drove his shot narrowly wide of Mark Peat's right-hand post. Stirling once again hit the post with a decent chance, when Steven Weir supplied Scott Davidson, who proceeded to nudge the ball into the bar.
Albion quickly stepped it up, and went in search of their long-awaited equaliser. Graham Weir nodded the ball down to midfielder, Daly McSorley, whose close-range shot was turned behind by Jamie Barclay. However, this was to be their last chance of the game.
Clyde's best chance of increasing their lead came when Stevie Masterton smashed a fizzing shot just wide of Peat's right-hand post, as the Albion 'keeper stood rooted the spot.
That was to be the last real chance of the match, and the game ended with Clyde going home with three points. Stirling will look to deliver a much improved performance next Saturday, and improve on their record of four defeats from five competitive matches so far this season, when Queens Park visit Forthbank.
Stirling Albion: Peat (GK), McClune, Ashe, McCunnie (McSorley '62), Thom, Allison (McGeachie '62), Davidson, Ferry, G Weir, S Weir, McAnespie (Flood '72).
Subs (not used): Macpherson, Filler (GK).
Clyde: Barclay (GK), Brown, Kane, Gray, Marsh, Hay, Neill, Masterton (Sweeney '82), Watt, McCluskey, McColm (Scullion '82).
Subs (not used): MacBeth, Sharp, Rajovic (GK).
Scorer: Watt '25
Attendance: 855
Referee: Des Roache
