Reaction

A Brian Carrigan goal was all there was between the teams at Broadwood yesterday, however there was plenty of opportunites with both ex Alloa players Paul McLeod & Adam Coakley given early chances for Clyde before Alloa took the lead. Indeed as early as the 3rd minute “The Wasps” were unfortunate not to go ahead when Scot Buist’s shot crashed off the crossbar. The goal came in the 16th minute when Scott Agnew worked his way in from the left and unleashed a shot which “trialist” keeper Andy McNeil could only push out and Brian Carrigan was in the correct place to fire home the winner. Seven minutes before half time Alloa had the ball in the net again, Scott Walker challenged keeper McNeil and Mark Gilhaney fired the lose ball into the net, but the referee gave a foul against Scott Walker. In the second half Alloa had far more of the ball but could not find the killer second goal, which gave the home side some hope and they certainly had their moments as well. Two minutes from the end Hugh Kerr did well to get away from the Clyde defence, and after rounding the keeper was very unfortunate when his goal bound shot was brilliantly cleared off the goal line by Mark Casey. Another important three points in a game which was important to win going into the International break and puts the team back to the top of the league.

Alloa Athletic                             Clyde
1 David Crawford                     1 Trialist – Andy McNeil
2 Scot Buist                              2 Alistair Park
3 Marc McCafferty                   3 Robert Halliday Bkd 57m
4 Mark Brown                          4 Mark Casey Bkd 36m
5 Scott Walker                         5 Alan Lithgow
6 John Grant                             6 Paul Stewart
7 Mark Gilhaney                       7 Trialist-Marvyn Wilson
8 Brown Ferguson                    8 Jamie Doyle
9 Brian Carrigan                       9 Paul McLeod
10 Scott Agnew                       10 David McKay Bkd 43m
11 Andy Scott                          11 Adam Coakley

12 Gary Carroll                        12 Steven Odunewu (11) 62m
14 Hugh Kerr (11) 76m            14 Scott Gair
15 Ross Philp                           15 Alan McFadden (8) 46m
16 Jason Thomson                    16 Jay Lang (3) 76m

GK Stephen Hall                      GK Jordan Allan
Referee : Steve Conroy           Asst: Paul Robertson & Robert Docherty

CROWD – 773

1 – 0 Brian Carrigan (16 mins)

Full – Time 1 – 0

allan maitland at clyde victory

First and foremost there is lots of talk of “The Bully Wee” having their difficulties over the summer and I understand all that, but there was no sign of lack of spirit in their game today, they made it a hard game, I thought Clyde particularly in the 1st half were excellent, had good energy, tried to get forward at every opportunity and get shots at goal, which I thought our goalkeeper did very well with, even pushing one onto the post but they did run out of steam a bit in the second half, but considering they have not had a pre season, they will get better and great credit to them today I thought they worked hard. For our point of view, I have been saying we haven’t been playing well but today I thought we were much better, first half I thought Clyde were spirited but the second half we kept the ball quite well, Mark Gilhaney was a problem to his old side, but Brian Carrigan was the best player on the football park, I thought he was miles above everybody in terms of his football brain and it was fitting he should score the goal to win the game. Shug Kerr was a wee bit unlucky with his chance at the end but as a team we have defended well and that is the reason we are where we are just now, a point last week at Cowdenbeath when we were under the cosh, no goals conceded today or against Peterhead and at Dumbarton the only goal was an own goal , so I’m very pleased with our start to the season. Very unusual for me I have to say, because this is the best start I have had since being manager of Alloa Athletic, although there is still a long way to go in the season. However although I am pleased with the start I believe we will still need to strengthen the side and hope to add to the squad in the next fortnight. I was again delighted with the attitude and application of the players and with four first team regulars missing – Stuart Noble, Chris Townsley, David McClune and Dougie Wilson who will all be fighting to regain their place in the side once available, I still think there is more to come from this Alloa Athletic side this season. It was nice to have Brown Ferguson back in the team albeit at right back, in an unfamiliar position he did really well and as always Davie Crawford was exceptional and I am pleased to win.