Stirling Albion welcome neighbours Stenhousemuir to Forthbank tomorrow as they seek their first win of the cinch League Two season.
Darren Young’s men were beaten 2-0 at Dumbarton on the opening day and drew 2-2 at home to Elgin City last weekend when they recovered from two goals down to salvage a point thanks to second-half strikes from Robert Thomson and Aaron Dunsmore.
It’s been one win and one defeat so far this term for Stephen Swift’s Stenhousemuir, who triumphed 1-0 on their last visit to Forthbank in March.
Stirling striker Dale Carrick is expected to be available despite being forced off with an injury against Elgin City and winger Danny Denholm will return to the squad. Midfielder Ross Davidson remains sidelined and left-back Cammy Clark is still suspended after his red card at Dumbarton. Young has urged his team to cut out the errors that has seen them fall two goals behind in the first half against both Dumbarton and Elgin City.
He said: “It was frustrating last week because I thought we were the better team against Elgin before we conceded the first goal and they scored again with probably their second shot on target.
“We played some nice stuff at times but we obviously can’t keep giving teams two goals of a start. The first goal is always important and hopefully we can get it on Saturday. There’s no Cove or Kelty or Queen’s Park in League Two this season and there’s not much between all the teams.
“We have a good squad of players but we are still looking to add – having spoken to a few managers, everyone is finding a difficult market this year for some reason.”
Meanwhile, the Binos will face Highland League Brechin City at Glebe Park in the second round of the SPFL Trust Trophy on August 23/24. Andy Kirk’s side beat Hibs B team in their first-round tie, winning 4-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw on Wednesday night.
If successful, the Binos could face a cross-border opponent in the third round of the competition on September 24. Linfield and Cliftonville from Northern Ireland and Welsh clubs The New Saints and Caernarfon Town are involved in this season’s competition.