"The Wasps" crashed to their first defeat in the league this season against a Brechin City side who were still on a high after their midweek defeat of Dundee in the CIS Cup. Alloa were without last seasons top goalscorer Stuart Noble who had hobbled off after Tuesday nights CIS Cup tie against Aberdeen. Brechin started the game the brightest with Rory McAllister, Charlie King and Calum Booth all looking to cause trouble. The breakthrough came in the 20th minute when Calum Booth scored his fitst goal for the club and a minute later in was two when Rory McAllister fired home. At this stage Alloa were not in the game until Mike Dunlop's shot was parried on to the bar by Craig Nelson but the alert David Gormley was on hand to head home to bring Alloa back into the game. Alloa started the second half a different team and for the first twenty minutes looked likely to get the equaliser. When the chance did come Bryan Prunty squeezed his shot just wide of the post. Brechin came back into the game in the final quarter and a defensive error by Billy Gibson allowed Rory McAllister to score the winning goal and regain the home sides two goal cushion. McAllister at times was a real handful but Alloa will be disappointed with this display.

Aberdeen midfielder Fraser Fyvie will miss the rest of the season due to injury.

The 17-year-old has suffered cruciate ligament damage after catching his studs in the artificial turf at Recreation Park, Alloa, in Tuesday’s 3-0 League Cup win for the Dons.

The Scotland under-19 international, who was attracting the interest of Premier League clubs Fulham, Blackburn and Wigan in the summer, will require surgery and faces a lengthy rehabilitation after the devastating injury.

His manager Mark McGhee said: “It is a massive blow for Fraser and the club. We will be doing everything we possibly can to ensure Fraser is given the appropriate time and care to make a full recovery.

“He will be under no pressure whatsoever in terms of his rehabilitation to make an early return.

“In light of his age, it’s more important Fraser only returns to play when he has fully recovered.”

McGhee believes the severity of the injury again highlights why artificial surfaces are not suitable for professional football matches.

He said: “When you draw a team with an artificial pitch you should have the option to switch it. If one of these teams gets through to meet one of the Old Firm, they would be up in arms about it.

“There would be a media storm, but we deserved the same consideration.

“Peter Pawlett was not injured, but he could not play on that surface. Right away that puts us at a disadvantage because we are without one of our key players through no fault of our own.”

Article from Press & Journal, Aberdeen

 

I have a lot of sympathy for Aberdeen manager Mark McGhee following his criticism of the artificial pitch at Alloa’s Recreation Park. The Dons manager lost four players to injury in Tuesday’s League Cup tie and he is convinced the playing surface was to blame. If Fraser Fyvie’s injury had happened to an Old Firm player and either Walter Smith or Neil Lennon had lambasted the pitch as McGhee did, then I am sure the furore would still be back page news today. If the Aberdeen manager really believes the pitch was the root cause then he should urge the SPL, SFL and SFA to get together and decide whether games should be played on them.
As it stands we have the nonsensical situation where SPL clubs cannot have an artificial pitch yet SFL clubs can, meaning top flight clubs can be forced to play on them in cup competitions.
If there is a problem with them then let’s discuss it properly. Take it up with the proper authorities and make sure these surfaces are suitable and not worn out by overuse.
When the ‘plastic’ pitch first came out it was a poor surface, but the quality has improved drastically since then, although I still believe we have a bit to go before we get unanimous approval from managers.
Clubs like Alloa and Airdrie United can rightly argue Uefa now recognise the current artificial surfaces as being suitable for Champions League games so why not in the Second Division?
I know for a fact Alloa and Stenhousemuir are far better off financially as a result of investing in the surface at Recreation Park and will be in no rush to rip up the surface and lose valuable revenue.
With Scottish football struggling economically the last thing I want to see is clubs losing valuable revenue streams which is why educating players and managers of the do’s and dont’s may be the answer.
I was interested to hear Alloa’s Allan Maitland say Fyvie caused himself the injury by wearing blades rather than the traditional studs or moulded boots.
I am no lover of bladed football boots, but surely someone somewhere must be able to advise on the current footwear which should be worn on these surfaces.
Fraser Fyvie is a young man Aberdeen regard as a prized possession and other clubs have their assets they want to protect. For the sake of our game, let’s make sure we are not putting livelihoods and careers in danger.Alex Smith comments also from Press & Journal, Aberdeen

 

 

Alloa Athletic's interest in this season's CIS Cup ended after Premier League side Aberdeen defeated the 10 man Alloa side after goalkeeper Stephen Robertson was red carded for challenge against Fraser Fyvie after a short pass back from Billy Gibson as early as the 14th minute of the game. In some peoples eyes unfortunately the game then ended as a contest, but to the home support and players they were still to enjoy many asspects of the game. The Alloa players showed great attitude to play positive football when teams in the past might have went for damage limitation. Aberdeen did increase their advantage before half time when Rory McArdle bundled home, however their third goal from sponsors Man of the Match - Chris Maguire was a wonderful strike. Alloa battled well and ended the game creating good chances, Stuart Noble creating but unfortunately not scoring at least a consolation goal which his play merited. The Wasps now need to look forward to another though game on Saturday when they returned to League business at Glebe Park against Brechin City who progressed to the 3rd Round of the CIS Cup after defeating Dundee 3-1 on penalties after the game had ended 2-2.

 

Alloa Athletic defeated local neighbours Stenhousemuir 1-0 at Ochilview to continue their good start to the new season. The only goal of the game was scored by Bryan Prunty, his 4th goal already this season after only 13 minutes when he pounced on a short pass back. "The Wasps" restricted the home side to few chances in the game but should have extended their lead to put a fairer reflection on the scoreline long before the end. In the first half home keeper Ally Brown did well to deny a Scott Walker header and in the second half Michael Dunlop saw his header come back off the post with the keeper beaten, and later substitute Jamie Hay had a great effort saved late in the game, once again the benefit of having strengh on the bench helped Alloa win this game with all three substitutes making telling contributions.

Today's game was another roller coaster match, which "The Wasps" had again to come back and show great character after squandering first half chances. Already this season the team has shown a better appetite in front of goal with stronger attacking options but in attacking we are still leaving chances at the back which turned todays game into a five goal thriller. Andy Scott had an early penalty in the first minute, but his effort was savede easily by Stewart Baillie in the East Fife goal. Remarkably the first half ended goal less but another Andy Scott miss just on half time was another great opportunity which should have been taken. Bryan Prunty put the home side in front six minutes into the second half before Craig Johnstone reacted first at the back post to equalise three minutes later, Jonathan Smart then headed East Fife in front and the Alloa support thought they were to lament the first half chances which went abegging. Ex Wasp Robert Sloan then downed Kevin McDonald in the box and the Geordie lad scored with the resultant penalty to square the game again. This season Alloa have brought in Jim Lister from the Junior ranks, after the bigman scored 38 goals last season for Bathgate Thistle. Today, Jim scored the winning goal after 77 minutes with a powerful header of a Kevin McDonald cross - the Alloa support had witnessed another great fight back in a game they always looked capable of scoring more goals.

 

Wanted : Volunteer Camera Man

Alloa Athletic FC is reaching out to the fans.

We are looking for a volunteer camera man to come and video all of the Alloa Athletic home games.

No experience necessary just a willingness to be at all games.

Although a volunteer position you will receive free entry to all Alloa Athletic home games, a free program each week and many other benefits.

If you are interested please contact Alex Brown at Alex.Brown@Mulraney.com

 

This position has now been kindly filled by Alan Taylor

Thomas Flynn has rejoined "The Wasps" for a second period having previously been at the club from February - May, 2010. Thomas has been brought back on loan from Hibernian for a two month period after Jamie Ewings suffered a facial injury which could keep him sidelined for maybe six weeks. Hugh Kerr has also joined Albion Rovers on a months loan to bolster Paul Martin's playing staff at present and to give him first team football games.

Alloa Athletic Team Picture Season 2010-11

Back Row - Andy Scott, Billy Gibson, Mark Brown, David McClune, David Gormley

Middle Row - Jim Law, Darren Smith, Bryan Prunty, Jim Lister, Stephen Robertson, Michael Dunlop, Jason Thomson, Declan McAvoy, John Hillcoat

Front Row - Ross Philp, Jamie Hay, Ronnie Scott, Allan Maitland, James Ward, Dougie Wilson, Kevin McDonald

A late penalty strike by substitute Andy Scott gave "The Wasps" a share of the points in a game at half-time looked unlikely that the team might gain anything from. Livingston who unfurled the Third Division League flag at the start of the game scored inside two minutes, when Kyle Jacobs, one of the three triplets at the club, headed home unchallenged. Worse was to follow on 21 minutes, when ex Wasp, Iain Russell caught Stephen Robertson off his line and scored with a well placed shot. At this stage Livi were rampant and it wasn't until after 30 minutes that Prunty managed a shot on goal. Alloa made two changes at half-time, Andy Scott & Jim Lister being introduced and this changed the game. Darren Smith scored his first goal for "The Wasps" after 54 minutes with a shot from outside the boc and four minutes later Alloa were level. Bryan Prunty pouncing on a defensive error by MacDonald. This was Alloa's best spell in the match and Livingston were then gifted another goal, Declan McAvoy heading past Robertson under pressure from Iain Russell. To Alloa's credit they never gave up, Jim Lister was causing the Livi defence all sorts of bother, five minutes from the end of the game David Gormley stole past the keeper and defence and was pulled down for a penalty which Andy Scott coolly despatched for a hard earned point. The Wasps conceeded poor goals today but their fighting spirit could not be questioned.

The Wasps first league game of the season this weekend at Livingston coincides with Allan Maitland and James Ward's 200th game in charge of the club. To mark this milestone it is appropriate to chronicle the duo's 4 ½ years at Recreation Park. Maitland was appointed on the eve of Alloa's Scottish Cup replay at Livingston in January 2006. Previously Maitland had enjoyed considerable success at Clyde and Hamilton and, given Alloa's then position at the bottom of the Second Division, it was a surprise to some that Maitland chose to join the club. However, the new manager obviously saw the potential of the club, the sound financial footing and drive to improve on and off the pitch as too good an opportunity to turn down. Ward had worked with Maitland previously and left the junior ranks to step up as Maitland's assistant. The pair couldn't have got off to a better start by knocking then SPL Livingston out of the Scottish Cup on their own pitch. That was a wonderful start but couldn't mask the main ambition for the rest of that season; survival in the Second Division. Eight points adrift at the time of his appointment, it was a tough task but one which Maitland and Ward came through with flying colours after masterminding a resurgence which culminated in the Wasps beating the drop via the inaugral play-offs.
The initial success undoubtably raised expectations for the 2006/7 season but it turned out to be a hugely frustrating one for the club. Bad fortune, injuries and poor performances all contributed to Alloa being consigned to the lower reaches of mid table and hovering above the relegation zone. That resulted in Maitland making radical changes to the squad at the end of a disappointing season.

Instead Maitland and Ward brought in a number of younger and arguably hungrier players with experience of playing on the new playing surface laid at the Recs for 2007/8. A revigourated squad paid dividends for the management team as the team ground out a number of excellent victories to reach the end of season promition play-offs. It looked as if the Wasps would make it through to the play off final after leading Clyde 5-2 with only 30 minutes of the second leg to play. However Maitland's first senior club staged a remarkable comeback to break Alloa's hearts.

After the highs of the 2007/08 season the following campaign failed to hit the same heights as the Wasps struggled for any sort of consistency. The hangover from the end of the previous season seemed to linger and it turned out to be a largely forgettable season. Such were the regular frailties at the back and the lack of an out and out goalscorer, it was only on the penultimate weekend of the season that the Wasps mathmatically avoided being dragged into the relegation play offs.

That disappointing season focussed the mind of Maitland and Ward and a couple of experienced signings helped gel a new squad for 2009/10 which was more resolute than any other they had formed previously. As such, last season the Wasps of course enjoyed a far more fruitful season. In the end, however, the team came up just short when it came to winning the title (being edged out on goal difference) and in the play-offs (beaten by Cowdenbeath, who went on to secure promotion).

In overall terms Maitland's 200 games in charge of the Wasps have been a bit of a rollercoaster, with three comparatively successful seasons punctuated with two where the Wasps struggled, but never to a degree which seriously threatened the club's Second Division status. Aside from this, Maitland is widely recognised as being one of the most astute managers in the SFL. Maitland's man-management skills are second to none, which draws ultimate respect from his squad and helps attract players to the club. Allan must also have taken some classes in public relations, as his openness with supporters and all the club means that it is hard not to warm to him. Moreover, Maitland has also shown a refreshing amount of loyalty to Alloa. Such is his reputation that several 'bigger' clubs have been reported to have tried to lure Maitland away from Recreation Park over the past few years. Unlike so many, Allan has stayed loyal to the Wasps rather than jumping ship. Alongside him Ward is known for his varied training sessions and keeping the squad well entertained; the importance of such a role cannot be underplayed in a successful team. As such, the pair work perfectly together and have an abundance of enthusiasm and know-how to drive the Wasps towards the ultimate goal; bringing First Division football to Recreation Park.

Maitland and Ward's season by season record in charge
                  P     W    D    L    F    A
2005/06 23    9     6    8    22   28
2006/07 43   13    9   21   55   88
2007/08 43   18    8   17   66   74
2008/09 43   14    9   20   56   66
2009/10 45   21   10  14   54   46
2010/11   2     1     0    1     3     3
Totals     199 76   42 81  256 305