Competition: Challenge Cup

Dunfermline Athletic v Alloa Athletic

In cup competitions it is all about being in the next round and at East End Park on Saturday Jim Goodwin’s showed great character and will to win, in a game which was a far better spectacle than the 0-0 draw only four weeks ago in the league. Like last Saturday at Dumfries Alloa came out fast and were on top in the opening twenty minutes. Alan Trouten opened the scoring for “The Wasps” after only 8 minutes after Jon Robertson picked him out in the box and the experienced striker drove the ball high into the net with the aid of a slight deflection.

The early goal was no more than “The Wasps” deserved and it might have been 2-0 after 27 minutes but Kevin Cawley’s netbound shot was turned round the post. A minute later the home side drew level with a Louis Longridge equaliser and the home side finally had a foot in the game. Indeed on 35 minutes Andy ryan’s header looked to be heading for the top corner of the net before Neil Parry pulled out a fantastic save.

The second half was barely underway with people still getting back to their seats when Dunfermline Athletic were awarded a penalty when Andy Graham was adjudged to have pushed Louis Longridge in the box?
Dunfermline then had a period of domination of possession but not really troubling Neil Parry. Alloa kept looking for that opportunity and Kevin Cawley had a sot blocked after 68 minutes then two minutes later a long ball out of defence was missed by Danny Devine and Dario Zanatta got in behing the home defence and his cross in front of goal was bundled home by Alan Trouten for his second goal of the match and his sixth in cup competitions this season.

The Wasps then managed the final twenty minutes bringing on Adam Brown in midfield and withdrawing striker Connor Shields but at all times looking to hit on the break. This was the “Wasps” third penaly shoot-out of the season and they looked very confident as they stepped forward.

With the score on penalties 5-4 in Alloa’s favour and heading for sudden death, Aidan Connolly saw his penalty saved by Neil Parrry his 8th penalty save and the continuation of Alloa’s 100% record from penalty kicks this season.

The draw for the next round will take place on Tuesday 16th October with Quarter-Final ties to be played on weekend of Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th November, 2018.

jim goodwin after penalties progression vs pars

We’re delighted to be in the next round of the cup, when the draw was made and we looked at some of the teams that were left, we were unfortunate enough to draw one of the tougher teams without being disrespectful of anyone else, we knew today was going to be a difficult game we started the game really well and in the opening ten minutes we were on top, but Dunfermline are a good side and they came into the game and after they got their equaliser they dominated the rest of the first half. We had strong words at half-time and asked for a bit of a reaction in the second half and unfortunately within 60 seconds Dunfermline got their penalty and we were then 2-1 behind. The players character can never be questioned which is great credit to them, at 2-1 you are always in the game and we fancied ourselves to get another chance. Dario Zanatta did fantastically well down the left hand side put a great ball across the face and Alan Trouten was in the right place where you would hope he was going to be. I was always confident when it went to penalties, the quality of the penalties was absolutely frightening with us scoring something like our last 20 in a row, Big Neilly does what he does best, he always comes out with at least one save in penalty shoot outs.

We were pleased to take the game to penalties, it was a bit of a strange second half with Dunfermline on top for the opening ten minutes then we had a wee spell around the hour mark before Dunfermline again finished the game strongly as you would expect, making decent changes by bringing on a bit of pace and energy, at that stage in the game we were probably thinking let’s just get to penalties so we changed our formation and sat a bit deeper and managed to see the game out, but as has been said it is a bit of a lottery but we are delighted to be in the hat. In a cup competition you have to look for a way to win and the lads did that.

Every game at this level is difficult and next week we return to the League where we are a due a victory, our opponents Partick Thistle are without a manager but this may change before kick-off next Saturday, but we need to concentrate on what we can control and I will have a fully fit group of players next week, Stevie Hetherington will come back into group and we will get all the loan players back who were cup tied for today which creates great competition for places again.

Today showed once again to win our third penalty shoot out of the season just what great bottle the players have with tons of self belief and as a group they are a very confident bunch and that’s what’s going to keep us up this season.
2 - 2p
Full Time

Dundee United v Alloa Athletic

“The Wasps” progressed to the Irn-Bru Cup Third Round after defeating Dundee United for the second time in cup competitions at Tannadice Park this season, having already done the same in the Betfred Cup, also after the game ended 1-1 and winning on penalties.

Jim Goodwin’s men completed a cup double over their Championship rivals in a game which only attracted 1,040 fans, the visiting support the more vocal and happier during and after the game. Although Dundee United took the lead after 15 minutes it was totally against the run of play but once again it proves at this level you need to take your chances and be more clinical in front of goal.

After the home side had taken the lead in 15 minutes, eight minutes later the visiting support thought they had clinched an equaliser when Greig Spence head home, but the assistant referee flagged for offside?

Dundee United then had a chance to extend their lead when goalscorer Matty Smith broke clear but Neil Parry cut the angle and the opportunity was gone. Neil Parry then had to knock over the bar a free kick from Paul McMullen which looked netbound.

Dario Zanatta had been troubling the United defence all afternoon and might have had a penalty on the hour mark, but after 77 minutes United defender Luc Bollan was penalised after fouling the Canadian striker. Alloa substitute Alan Trouten stepped forward as he had did in the Betfred Cup tie as well to score a deserved equaliser.

In the closing ten minutes both sides came close to clinching the winner with Iain Flannigan going close for “The Wasps” with Fraser Fyvie pulling out another fantastic save by Neil Parry.

The game ended 1-1 and once again it was to be decided on penalties –
1 – 0 Fraser Fyvie (Dundee Utd)
1 – 1 Scott Taggart
1 – 1 Archie Thomas – Spot kick saved by Neil Parry
1 – 2 Iain Flannigan
2 – 2 Declan Glass
2 – 3 Dario Zanatta
3 – 3 Paul McMullan
3 – 4 Alan Trouten
4 – 4 Matty Smith
4 – 5 Andy Graham

Dario Zanatta shot beats the keeper but goes inches past
Connor Shields shot is cleared by United defence
Adam Brown just cannot reach ball to tap in at back post
Neil Parry saves McMullan free kick
Alan Trouten scores from the penalty spot
Neil Parry saves Archie Thomas spot kick
Andy Graham scores winning kick
Alloa progress to 3rd Round draw on Tuesday 11th September at 1pm
jim goodwin after winning tie at tannadice

I am delighted we are through to the next round, and we can all look forward to the draw on Tuesday now to see who we will face in the last 16 of the competition.

We started the game very well and could have been three up inside the first 10 minutes. I asked the players to take the game to Dundee Utd and I felt they certainly did that. It was however very disappointing that we found ourselves yet again going a goal behind, in what was United’s first real attack of the game. As always though the players don’t allow their heads to go down and showed a great reaction to carry on doing the right things and thankfully they got their rewards with twelve minutes to go when Dario was taken out in the box, and the ever reliable Alan Trouten calmly slotted home from the spot.

Today was a good opportunity for me to give one or two lads a run who maybe haven’t been as involved as they would like in recent weeks, and I was also delighted to give Connor Shields his first start for the club, I think he showed glimpses of what he will bring to the team.

I have to say the quality of our penalties in the shootout was exceptional and of course Neil Parry does what he does best and ends up being the hero yet again at Tannadice with a fine save.

Like I said we’re delighted to be in the next round, it’s a competition we are taking seriously and we want to do all we can to try and win it. It may not be the most prestigious competition in some people’s eyes but for a club like ours it is a realistic opportunity to win some silverware and that is what we will try to do.

Special mention to the travelling fans too, I thought they were excellent throughout and played their part in helping the lads get back in the game today.

 
1 - 1p
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Stirling Albion

The Wasps reached the 2nd Round after defeating Stirling Albion 3-1 at the Indodrill Stadium on Tuesday 15th August, which maintains the clubs long unbeaten record against Stirling Albion which now goes back to 7th March, 2009.

Jim Goodwin was forced into having only two outfield players on the bench such is the tightness of his squad, not helped by Greig Spence having to sit the tie out carrying forward an suspension carried forward from last season and Jake Hastie playing for Motherwell colts.

jim on the irn bru cup victory

We said after the game, it was important to get the victory and progress into the next round, I felt first half was an excellent performance we were well on top, dominated the game, started the second half really well, scored a terrific goal then kind of had a spell of 15 minutes where we dropped below the standards required and allowed Stirling Albion back into the game, their goal was a decent corner from their point of view but we have to do better and mark their man and take responsibility in that area and we also got sloppy in the middle of the park, taking too many touches. However we ended the game better again and got our foot back on the ball, I understand the crowd want us to keep going and get four or five, Stirling themselves dropped off and we kept the ball and ran the clock down and just delighted to be in the next round.

I am quite relieved we have the weekend off now the players that are here have worked ever so hard through the pre season into the Betfred Cup and at the start of the season we have been really tight with limited options off the bench, we had to take Greig Spence out of the team tonight due to a suspension he picked up last season with Raith Rovers and Jake Hastie was back playing for Motherwell Under 21’s tonight, we were down to the bare bones again, so it gives me a good week to try and get the ones who are almost over the line and hopefully this time next week we will have some good news regarding signings.

We will come back in on Thursday night we will have a light session on Thursday and I think I am going to give the boys the Saturday off because the 13 or 14 players that are here have worked very hard both in training and in the games, they have given me absolutely everything so they have earned to have the weekend with their families.
3 - 1
Full Time

Dundee United v Alloa Athletic

It was “The Wasps” who took all the plaudits at Tannadice on Saturday, indeed it was the visitors who created the best scoring chances in the match and deserved better than a 3-1 score line – only going behind to their second contentious penalty in a week, having also suffered losing the opening goal the previous Saturday at Airdrie under similar circumstances.

“The Wasps” had a great opportunity to take the lead after 23 minutes when Daryll Meggatt passed the ball inside to the lively Kevin Cawley, but his shot went inches past the post.

“The Wasps” were pushing forward at every opportunity and looked dangerous on the break. Indeed before half-time they had another two great chances to open the scoring, Iain Flannigan went close with a free kick before a minute prior to half-time Alan Cook broke through but his shot went high and wide.

Although at times Dundee United had periods of pressure they didn’t create much in front of goal. Scoring the first goal in matches is so crucial and it was the home side who took the lead in 72 minutes when Andy Graham was ajudged to have fouled Patrick N’Yoti who slotted home the resultant penalty kick. Unfortunately for “The Wasps” Andy Graham had to be replaced with a shoulder injury but the introduction of Adam Martin was the catalyst for “The Wasps” best period in the game. He battled to gain possession on the wing and set up the equaliser for Kevin Cawley.

Kris Renton then had a great chance to win the match but could not be clinical enough in final third of park having battled hard to get the opportunity. There was no doubt Alloa were finishing the stronger although the game looked destined for extra time Dundee United scored twice in time added on – it was a scoreline that not even the United supporters watched could have imagined, it flattered them and was very hash on what was an excellent performance from Jim Goodwin’s side who more than matched their full time opponents.

Adam Martin loses Dailly & Flood
Kevin Cawley fires home equaliser
Kris Renton beats William Edjenguele
Wasps pile on pressure near end of game
Jim Goodwin cannot believe last ditch goals.
jim goodwin at tannadice

My thoughts on the penalty were, Andy Graham is quite an honest boy and he is adamant he touched the ball and it looked for me from where I was, he touched the ball and the referee said he touched the ball, so make your own mind up?

Willie, said he touched the ball but he just carried on a wee bit after it, he said he got the ball first but then the man, but I think momentum just takes you into the man, doesn’t it, he clearly got the ball I just hope the footage shows it that way, it might have been a difficult angle for the camera – but it is what it is, I thought Willie Collum had a decent game overall but he does like to give a penalty, we know that and he is not frightened to make that call, fair play to him if he got it right I will hold my hands up but from where I was standing it looked very soft.

However our boys showed great character after that, we can’t complain with their reaction, it would have been very easy to feel sorry for ourselves and Dundee United go and get another one, but wee Adam Martin comes off the bench and makes the kind of impact he has been doing lately, he is a terrific young talent we have got and he does great for the goal down the right side and has that kind of awareness to lift his head and see Kevin Cawley on the edge of the box, I thought it was a great finish from Kevin and at that stage in the game we were thinking we can go on and win the game, I thought we became the better team.

I’m really pleased we could show what type of a team we are and what we are capable of because we haven’t quite been at the levels we are capable of in the league with only managing to pick up four points from four games, that is a disappointing return but if we put in more performances like today then the league campaign will take care of itself. There was loads of positives to take from today’s game I thought we more than matched Dundee United for long spells in the game, it wasn’t like we came here and parked the bus, we had a game plan in mind and we were willing to give up a wee bit of territory at the back and leave our two central halves on it, but we were capable of hitting them on the break and counterattacks and I thought we did that on numerous occasions particularly in the first half we got in on Alan Cook’s side but we need to be more clinical in front of goal and if we take our chances we will be absolutely fine, overall I’m really disappointed with the final score today because I don’t think at any time it looked like a 3-1 score line for us to concede in the 91st & 93rd minutes was a bit of a sickening score line from our point of view – the lads deserved better that that.

Andy Graham’s injury looks a bad one the initial reaction is it is his shoulder, we will just need to wait and see how bad it is, he is going to see the doctor just now, the Dundee United doctor is going to have a look at him but he will probably need to go for an x ray or scan.
3 - 1
Full Time

Dundee U20 v Alloa Athletic

“The Wasps” were delighted to record their first competitive victory this season and score four goals away from home with Craig Malcolm delighted to score twice, the opening goal after 11 minutes and late on sealing the victory after Adam Martin set him up.

The Wasps started the game very impressively and were three goals up after 33 minutes, at this stage the young Dundee Colts were chasing shadows but six minutes from the break Matthew Henvey scored a fantastic long range goal totally out of the blue. This gave Dundee more confidence and to their credit they started the second half on the front foot. Ten minutes from the end Matthew Henvey scored his second of the evening – game on again and a frantic end to the game. Alloa substitute Adam Martin broke down the left wing and his cross into the box was met by the onrushing Craig Malcolm to score his second goal of the night and clinch the victory for “The Wasps”.

The Wasps will now go into today’s draw at the Falkirk Wheel.

 

jim goodwin after dundee youngsters are overcome in the cup

I’m absolutely delighted to get our first competitive win of the season, delighted with some of the goals, really pleased for Craig Malcolm to get up and running with a brace of goals this evening and for the first half an hour of the match I felt we played really well, however the point that I have stressed to the lads just now in the dressing room, is it is not good enough just to play for half an hour, we have to sustain it over the ninety minutes, of course it is hard to dominate a game for ninety minutes against any opposition but we have to be more consistent in our play for longer spells in the game.

I give credit to Dundee, I thought they came out in the second half and some of their boys were excellent but again our boys stuck in there and managed to get the job done and there are plenty of positives to take for us from the game but there are also plenty for us to work on as well.

Looking forward to the draw for the next round of the competition tomorrow at the Falkirk Wheel, glad to progress, this was a tricky tie coming up to Dens Park this evening, the lads were delighted to get a game on a grass pitch, it seems a long while since we played on a grass park and the pitch up here at Dens is immaculate
2 - 4
Full Time

Queen of the South v Alloa Athletic

“The Wasps” will look back on this game and have reason to believe they had the chances to end their dismal run of results against Queen of the South at Palmerston Park where they last won in April, 2003.

The difference on the day was Stephen Dobbie, the experienced striker who returned to the club in the summer from the English Premiership and recently made his 100th appearance in his second spell for Queen’s. The game in the first half went from end to end with both teams having chances, Neil Parry had to look sharp to deny the home side from opening the scoring, Jason Marr was also on had to clear a Derek Lyle header off the line, but Alloa had their chances as well with Jamie Longworth & Jordan Kirkpatrick unfortunate with chances which went inches over the bar. Home keeper Lee Robinson then had to do well to block a Greig Spence shot.

However in 41 minutes Stephen Dobbie scored to break the deadlock and it with a shot which went in off the post. Two minutes later a great Alloa move saw Scott Taggart cross from the right wing, Greig Spence dummied the ball brilliantly, giving Jamie Longworth a shot on goal which cruelly crashed off the far post.

In the second half Alloa came out the strongest and again had efforts, another Jamie Longworth effort being blocked by keeper Lee Robinson, when he knew little about it, but was in the right place at the right time!

At this stage Alloa were on top but could just not get the goal to draw the tie level. Kevin Cawley had a long range effort and Greig Spence tried an acrobatic effort after Jim Goodwin’s initial shot had been bouncing about in the box.
Again the run of play Queen’s punished Alloa for not taking their chances and hit man Stephen Dobbie headed in the killer second goal. To their credit Alloa never stopped trying and Jordan Kirkpatrick kept pushing the team forward. Luke Donnelly was introduced to inject more pace into the Alloa attack. Stephen Dobbie might have grabbed a third but his header went into the side netting as “The Wasps” pushed forward.

A good performance from the team and on another day could have extended their stay in the Irn-Bru Cup.

 

jim goodwin after irn bru cup exit at dumfries

I thought we gave a good account of ourselves, I thought we played reasonably well, there wasn’t a lot in the game and Stephen Dobbie was the difference between the teams, a bit of quality in the first half, a great finish, the second goal we were a wee bit disappointed with that too be honest with you, I thought we could have defended it better, we could have stopped the cross initially and he got a free header at the back post which was disappointing, but overall we had our chances, in the first half we had a couple of one on ones and in the second half Jordan Kirkpatrick had an effort inches over the bar and Jamie Longworth had an effort off the post, but goals change games don’t they –  the game could have went either way and I’m really pleased with the lads effort, no one could fault their commitment or attitude and on another day we might have nicked it.

I think we caused them problems at times going forward, it was an end to end game, it was a bit stretched and open in the first half, I said at half time there was a big space in the middle of the park, both sides were counter attacking and it was a bit back and forth to much but we controlled the match a bit more in the second half, but as soon as the game goes 2-0 it was a different game, we were then chasing the game and trying to get back into the game we committed  lots of bodies forward, but I still have to say I am really pleased with the all round performance, obviously disappointed not to be in the semi-final.
2 - 0
Full Time

Bala Town v Alloa Athletic

The Wasps reached their 2nd Quarter Final place of the season on Saturday when they defeated Welsh side Bala Town 4-2 at Maes Tegid in the 4th Round of the Irn Bru Cup. This was a historic ocassion for the club, playing a Welsh club for the first time in a competitive match. however it was a game of mixed emotions knowing that their manager, Jack Ross was to leave after the game to take up the managers role with SPFL Championship side St. Mirren on a full time basis.

Alloa were at their best in the first half, stroking the ball around the newly opened 3G surface at Maes Tegid, Greig Spence opened the scoring in the tenth minute and “The Wasps” never looked back cruising to a 3-0 margin at half-time. In the second period Bala Town made changes and made life more difficult for Jack Ross’s side, but nothing was going to change the outcome with Jack Ross making sure his side progressed to the next round of the tournament.

The Alloa support who had made the 600 mile round trip to witness the ocassion, were a credit to the club and enjoyed the hospitality of their Welsh opponents and added to the ocassion.

 

jack ross after final game

It’s brilliant to get a win in my final game, I know I said before the game when I was asked that, it wasn’t about me, but equally I would have been sick, so disappointed, if we had not won. The time I have had at the club has been terrific, this season obviously with the results, but also in all my time the performances have been so positive, so I am delighted. I thought in the first half the players showed they are a good team. In the first half we were terrific, but I also felt we played like that last week particularly in the first half as well, it is a good team. However I still said to the players there were bits in the second half we could have done better, but being in a winning position so often that can happen and they will be in winning positions throughout the season, because they are a great group and there are some really talented players amongst them. Their whole approach to the game, considering things were a bit out of sync for our normal immediate pre match preparation, so they deserve great credit.

I was excited by the tie, I thoroughly enjoyed it and coming away with the players yesterday to come down to Wales, some of these guys had to take time of their work, I didn’t, I must give the club credit on that sense as well, we stayed in a lovely hotel last night, so that allowed us to prepare well for the game and the people here have made us very welcome, winning the game makes it far more enjoyable, I’m certainly not against bringing teams from other countries into the tournament, it has its challenges of course but it was exciting, I enjoyed it.

It was a difficult decision to leave to go to St. Mirren because of how much I enjoy the job with Alloa Athletic, and how good a relationship I have with the chairman, and with the rest of the board, and the people all around the club, I have always enjoyed every club I have been involved with in the past but when I was talking to Mike Mulraney, our chairman the other day about it and even going back to when I grew up in football from the early days at Camelon Juniors with my dad, that’s where I grew up watching football and that has an affinity for me , I played nearly 200 games for Clyde and although I have only been at Alloa just under a year I actually know I have an affinity for this club and it will not go away, so I don’t often get the chance to thank supporters personally but I did that today and I will be a regular visitor back at the club when opportunities allow that to happen, It has been a brilliant experience for me, at the right time for me, in so many levels it has been great.

I have said to the players in the dressing room, I don’t hope they achieve promotion at the end of this season I expect it, I said if they go on and achieve what we set out to do at the start of this season, trust me, I will be as proud as they will be because I feel I will have played a part in it and I would love them to do it because they are good enough to do it and they are dedicated enough to do it. Whoever gets this job is a lucky man because it is a brilliant club with a great squad of players. They still have a great chance to achieve this season, now having reached two Quarter Finals already this season, that in itself cannot be overlooked, it is another Quarter Final the club has reached, so to get to the Quarter Finals of the Betfred Cup and now the Irn Bru Cup with the chance to progress further, and be challenging at the right end of the league table is very good and a great platform to kick on again from here.

It will be a big challenge moving to St. Mirren but I love coaching and it will give me far more time to coach, it is exciting for me. There is a million and one challenges which will be in front of me, I am not one who will go in and threaten wholesale changes, I will do as I did here but I will slowly put my own stamp on things, the reality will not start to sink in until over the next couple of days, but my overriding emotion just now is just delighted to see the Alloa Athletic players winning another game.
2 - 4
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v East Fife

The Wasps season goes from strength to strength, this time recording their tenth straight victory this season, which again is an achievement which will go down in history. Jack Ross’s team faced East Fife for the second consecutive home match after defeating then 2-1 a fortnight ago, on this ocassion a 3-0 scoreline suggests it might have been more straightforward but East Fife had great chances within the game and although Alloa were 2-0 ahead, a penalty awarded to the visitors on 37 minutes could have changed the game but Scott Robinson put his kick high over the bar, thereafter the lethal striker Greig Spence extended “The Wasps” lead just prior to half time and there was no comeback for the team from Methil. The draw for the next round will be made on Tuesday 6th September, 2016.

 

jack ross after victory in irn bru cup
I seem to sound as if I am starting to repeat myself but I have just been emphasizing that the players what they have achieved is a terrific achievement, it was good today against East Fife, as against a fortnight ago against the same opponents the players came in after the game a wee bit flat after losing a late goal , the first half in a lot of games this season we have been good and sometimes that feeling has disappeared the way the second half has panned out but today they were bubbly in the changing room after the game because they have recognised what they are doing is something special, at any level of football it is not achieved very often and the players should enjoy it and take great pride from it, but I keep emphasising we need to keep it going.
It would be hard not to acknowledge the seven clean sheets as well and Neil Parry deserves a huge amount of credit for that because he has made big saves in games, he did again today, it is not like he has had nothing to do in these games, we have not been dominant and teams have had opportunities against us, we are playing against good teams as well but Neil is in a great run of form and he is getting more and more confident in his general manner but that will be overlooked a bit as everybody focuses on the ten wins.
Jordan Kirkpatrick is another player who I always believed would get an opportunity to play at a higher level in the Premier League, I spoke to a number of people I knew at that level but for one reason or another it never materialised, and I know from working closely with him, how good he is, he just needs people to believe in him, his goal scoring return for a midfielder is incredible this season and I am delighted with him.
I am looking forward to the next round and delighted it will again be played on a Saturday which makes a big difference, the game falling on a Saturday allows us to approach the fixture as a normal game, if it had been a midweek game I would have had a different approach in personnel because we would have looked at the fatigue factor in playing mid week, we are just happy to be in the next round and keep the winning sequence going.
3 - 0
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Elgin City

Having enjoyed great success in last season’s Petrofac Cup by reaching the final for the 3rd time, it was therefore disappointing to lose to Elgin City in Wednesday’s 2nd round tie at the Indodrill Stadium. Manager Danny Lennon made 8 changes to his team who had started against Rangers on the Sunday, this was n opportunity for some of the players which started the Petrofac Cup tie that they are ready to step up to the first team. “The Wasps” had only ever met Elgin City in the tournament back in July, 2004 when they won 2-0 through goals by Brown Ferguson & Ross Hamilton. However on the evening, although Alloa enjoyed the bulk of the play and possession there was no cutting edge. The game went into extra time with the visitors looking for an opportunity to edge in front, the turning point in the game was when referee George Salmond awarded a penalty after initially appearing to play advantage, until David Crawford pulled off a fantastic save and he pulled the play back. Alloa pushed even more strongly looking for the equaliser but were again punished when Elgin City were awarded their second penalty of the evening.

 

DANNY LENNON AFTER ELGIN GAME

Very much disappointed, to put a lot into the game and have so much possession but I have to give a lot of credit to Elgin City, they have come with a game plan and it has worked terrifically well for them, although we had a lot of possession of the ball, our clear cut chances have not really come and probably our best chance came in the last two or three minutes of the game, that’s credit to Elgin City and they have had a fantastic start to the season, you see a lot of bigger clubs going out to lesser opposition in these early cup games so it is disappointing from our point of view, we didn’t capitalise on the possession we had and I thought the two penalty decisions they came at very crucial times in the game and I would like to see them again, but going through my mind at this point of time that both of them were soft, to be perfectly honest. I think there was contact in the first one, but the referee then allows the player to get a strike off, for me then they have had their advantage.

We now  go into another tough game on Saturday at Kirkcaldy against Raith Rovers, who also lost last night and I said to our players that both managers will be looking for a reaction, it’s been a frustrating start but I can’t keep using the same line that – we have 14 new players and its going to take time, what we have to do is, galvanise, there is pleasing things which we are doing but there are a lot of things that the players aren’t taking on board, we are asking them, and that is part of a manager and coaches job to keep repeating and repeating until it clicks, but a very disappointing start to the season for us we are now looking for everyone, even outside the players at the club, to make sure we can bounce back. We had two difficult opening league games against teams expected to do well this season, but they are out the road and we see the league now opening up, for we now believe we will have a better opportunity to start collecting league points, let’s hope we can start this on Saturday but we need to up our game, I thought we got the ball into great areas tonight but more often than not our final ball let us down, we will certainly work on that and look to put right for Saturday. What was pleasing tonight, is I thought young Ryan Hoggan had a fantastic debut and it was good for him to get that under his belt he certainly looks to have a bright future at this football club and in the game.

We are back in tomorrow night, it is a tough schedule, I have said continuously in the last interviews it is difficult for the opportunities to work with these guys, but Elgin are not any different and they came down with a game plan and it has worked for them. You can have all the possession you like but you have got to make it count, we got into good areas where I felt we could then perhaps get a wee bit of quality to cause them problems but the final quality did not come and at least we know what we need to do to make it right.
0 - 2aet
Full Time

Brora Rangers v Alloa Athletic

The Wasps progressed to the next round of this season’s Petrofac Cup after defeated Brora Rangers 1-0 at Dudgeon Park in Brora. The second round draw will be made in the Hall of Fame at Hampden Park, Glasgow on Monday 27th July, 2015 at 2.30pm.

 

danny lennon at brora

We certainly knew it wasn’t going to be easy coming here to Brora and that proved to be the case. I must compliment Brora in everything they brought to the game. They competed really well and kept the game alive until the death, but I felt we just shaded it. We had a lot of good possession especially in the first half without causing any real problems. We tweaked one or two things at half time and we got our rewards for that. I am absolutely delighted for big Geoff to get his first competitive goal and it was a fantastic finish. It has been a good build up where we have played Highland opposition and as we progress towards the league campaign starting, I feel there has been a progression from players each week. We got that in this game and I believe we will get that again when we face Berwick next. There was a lot of pleasing aspects, but there is also lots of hard work for us still to do. Overall, though I was delighted with the effort and commitment of the lads and we are just delighted to be in the hat for the next round. We had the backing of a tremendous support who travelled up from the central belt and that speaks volumes for what the club means to them so we are delighted that we could reward them with a victory.
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