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Alloa manager Allan Maitland tried to play down his side’s victory over First Division side Dundee in this season’s Challenge Cup. The Wasps deservedly winning the game 2-1 with, two headers from captain Chris Townsley and Jamie Stevenson who has returned to the club on loan from Greenock Morton and was instrumental in both goals. Dundee had their chances but found the Alloa defence in top form, Raymond Jellema once again showing the reason why he is so important to the team and the fact he could play at a higher level. In the Second round of the tournament Alloa Athletic have been drawn at home against Clyde, the tie is likely to be played on Tuesday 12th August, 2008.
allan maitland after dundee challenge cup victory
Interesting game, I thought it was a game we were fortunate to win, Dundee played really well, in long spells, especially in the first half, during that time what I was saying to the players is it was really important for us to give ourselves a chance by defending properly but what I did not expect was to see players defending at the top of their game so early in the season, getting to half time level was a great boost for us. We had some near scares Iain Campbell blocking one on the line, Raymond Jellema making two great saves and in the second half you could count four of five occasions where we threw bodies to block efforts and that gives you a chance. We were decent at set pieces and that was to prove the difference in the game, for the first goal Jamie threw over a great ball into the box and Chris Townsley finished it and after that we looked a lot happier, we were getting plenty of touches on the ball and Dundee had to chase the game and threw bodies forward and at that stage I thought we might score a second goal. Delighted we did obviously, and we needed the second goal to win the game, due to a wee slip at the end which takes the shine of it. On a different day Dundee could easily have won it , for us we are under no illusions, this is a boost for us, it was a cup tie, which means we already have shown progress, cause we played three cup ties last season and lost the three of them, so that is an improvement. Loads of really good performances for us, especially in the back line where goalkeeper and back four were immense, and it was good to see Jamie return to the club with a goal, I’ve no complaints about anything. I think Dundee will consider themselves slightly unfortunate and I think that’s fair but for our point of view it has been a great day. I t gets us ready for the beginning of the league campaign and I’m sure next week at Arbroath it will be a completely different game from today.