Competition: Challenge Cup

Alloa Athletic v Livingston

Alloa starting XI in the Petrofac cup final.
Alloa’s starting XI
paddy connolly after cup final defeat

I hard to pinpoint anything which contributed to the defeat, obviously the wheels came off a wee bit in the end with the result but at that stage we were chasing the game. First goal was vital, we didn’t defend it properly, but at that stage I still felt we would get back in the game, I told the players at half-time – we just need to make sure we keep taking the ball. Livingston had a wee spell in the first half were they were not over running us, but they got confidence from their first goal which knocked the stuffing out of us a wee bit but at half-time we still felt we could get back into it but it just wasn’t to be, it was Livingston’s day in the end and we just need to move on to Wednesday and back into the league campaign with two more big games coming up this week, so we need to focus on that now. Even at 2-0 down we hit the post twice and if one of these had went in it would have been a different game but that seems to happen in cup finals, there is a fine line, the third and fourth goals we were chasing it a bit, we had lost our shape by then as we tried to throw on a few bodies hoping to get back into the game, but disappointing as you can imagine the players are gutted but our guys are a resilient bunch who will bounce back and move on, there has not been many games this season when we have not been in the game but you could argue today that once the third goal went in it was game over. On Wednesday we have another difficult game when we visit Tynecastle which will be a very difficult game. I don’t think it will be a difficult job lifting our guys, we have lost games before and we know we must move on to the next game and that’s why we still have a chance of staying in this league because the players have been resilient so I will look for them to go again in midweek. It was always going to be a huge task going to Tynecastle so I don’t think it will be any different after our result in the cup final. However the players will be suffering tonight it is never nice to lose a cup final. We will be in again on Tuesday night and have a game plan in place and see how we go
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Alloa Athletic v Rangers

Alloa Athletic reached the Challenge Cup final for the 3rd time after an amazing victory over Rangers at the Indodrill Stadium, Alloa. After a goalless first half, when “The Wasps” might have taken the lead, after having the best chances, Greig Spence and Liam Buchanan on this occasion hoping not to regret not opening the scoring. Rangers started the second half far more positively and went 2 – 0 ahead through goals by Kenny Miller and Dean Shiels. The Wasps with seven first team players missing, could easily have given in and look to damage limitation. That would not be in this teams make up, two goals inside two minutes dramatically changed the game back in “The Wasps” favour, and with extra time looming, Alloa striker Greig Spence scored his 2nd goal of the evening and his 7th of the tournament to send the Indodrill Stadium into raptures. Alloa Athletic will now have the chance to add to their 1999 Challenge Cup success, when the now meet Livingston in the Petrofac Training Cup final on Sunday 5th April, 2015.

 

barry smith after historic rangers victory

Alloa boss Barry Smith heaped praise on his heroes after their miraculous comeback saw them advance to the Petrofac Cup final with a historic 3-2 win over Rangers.

It was the first time in the Clackmannanshire club’s history that they had beaten either half of the Old Firm and the gaffer reckons it is on a par with the best moments of his career.

The Wasps boss believes the key to their stunning win against all the odds was the team’s ‘never say die’ attitude and the amazing bond in the dressing room, but admitted they even surpassed his expectations.

“The spirit we showed to come from 2-0 down was top class and I don’t think anyone gave us a chance at that stage, but the players always kept believing. It’s a massive achievement for the club and myself, but most importantly for the players. I thought we were excellent in the first half, but to come from 2-0 down to win 3-2 against Rangers was exceptional. It shows great character. They gave me everything and they do that every single week. It’s massive for the club to get to a cup final – an outstanding achievement – and to put Rangers out on the way there makes it even more special. This is right up there in my career alongside my achievements at Dundee when we overturned a 25-point deficit to stay up, but this is definitely up there. I don’t look into a lot of facts, but it’s great to be the first Alloa manager to beat Rangers.”

Smith warned his players not to let the occasion get to them, but he thinks they actually revelled in the atmosphere.

The former Dundee boss was full of admiration for his squad after coming to the game straight from their day jobs to pull off the result of their lives and he also revealed that some were even almost late for kick off.

He said: “We had nine players missing, but the boys who came in were excellent and as a team we were outstanding. Many of them worked a full day’s shift at work before coming to the game and a few of them were even late because they were caught in traffic getting into the ground so that just proves their unbelievable commitment. I told them to go out and enjoy the occasion and not be fazed by it because if you over think these things then they can get the better of you. But they relished it and I think that showed with the win.”

The 40-year-old says his side must now get back to reality quickly and focus on the battle for survival in the SPFL Championship this season before they can think about April’s final.

Smith added: “The final is a good bit away now, but it is something to look forward to and will be a great occasion. For now though, we must focus on the league – that is our top priority and we must try to secure our place in this league first.”
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Greenock Morton v Alloa Athletic

“The Wasps” reached the semi final stage of the Petrofac Training Cup after a goal from Ryan McCord in the closing minutes settled a tie which looked to be heading for extra time. Both teams will look back on chances not taken during the game, home side Greenock Morton were certainly up for the tie and will be disappointed to lose such a late goal, but it is credit to the Alloa Athletic players, while not at their best, they kept going, looking for that important winning goal. This is the first time the club have reached the semi final stages since Season 2001/02 when on that occasion they faced Clyde at Broadwood, Gareth Hutchison’s goal taking “The Wasps” through to the final against Airdrie. Previously in their only other semi final appearance in Season 1999/2000, Alloa Athletic defeated local rivals Stirling Albion 2-1 before progressing to a final against Inverness CT, a game which is still regarded as a classic, The Wasps winning the trophy 5-4 on penalties.

 

barry smith at cappielow

I’m glad to be in the semi-finals and we kept a clean sheet. We have played better but I don’t want to take anything away from Morton today. At least we are creating chances, which is a positive thing. I worked under Jim and I know how well he has his team playing. We knew it was going to be difficult but we also made it difficult for ourselves.

I have great belief in our team and I always felt we could still create something the longer it went at 0-0. Although we haven’t been at our best, we did still create plenty of opportunities and I was confident that if that final chance came along that we would take it and we have done that. We are delighted just to be in the semi final of the cup and that we have kept a clean sheet. I think we have played better but I don’t want to take anything away from Morton because they played well in the game. I don’t think we reached the levels that we have in recent weeks but we still created chances which are a positive thing.

Both sides had their chances. It is great just to be in the next round because in cup games that is the most important thing. The real positive for us is that we are now in the semi final of the competition. We’re delighted to be in the last four and to have kept a clean sheet. It would be great for the club to reach the final but we still have to get through the semis.
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Stirling Albion v Alloa Athletic

Alloa Athletic progressed through to the Petrofac Training Cup Quarter-final stage after defeating local rivals Stirling Albion 2-1 at Forthbank Stadium. Greig Spence was once again the “The Wasps” hero netting twice, taking his total to five goals in the opening two rounds of the competition and tournament top scorer. The eight teams who go into tomorrow’s draw, on Thursday 21st August, 2014 at 2pm are:- Alloa Athletic, East Fife, Falkirk, Livingston, Morton, Peterhead, Rangers & Stranraer.

 

barry smith at forthbank

We are delighted to be in the Quarter Finals of the Petrofac Training Cup, I think we have played better in the past two games in the league, but winning is what is important.

I think at 2 – 0 we were comfortable, but we took our foot off the gas and Stirling Albion got back into the game, but we are through on the night and that is the main thing.

Greig Spence has done well in this tournament, that is five goals in two games – but he has to take that form into the league games and I’m sure he will. The first goal was a great goal, being able to get across the defender and nipping in at the front post, he did that brilliantly and the second was a great reaction, both were great strikers goals.

We didn’t play as well as we can but I didn’t think Stirling Albion did enough to win the game.

We have taken the positives in our play from the last two league games, we were playing well but we still wanted to win games and winning games builds confidence, so we will take the confidence from winning tonight into Saturday’s game against Cowdenbeath at Central Park, we know it will be a tough game.

Steven Hetherington made his full debut tonight, he came to the club in the close season and proved worthy of a contract and I believe he was worth a start tonight.
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Arbroath v Alloa Athletic

Alloa Athletic progressed to the 2nd Round of this season’s Petrofac Training Cup, after defeating Arbroath 4-1 at Gayfield in a game manager Barry Smith was delighted with the players match fitness and sharpness in front of goal, Greig Spence, scored an excellent hat-trick, the first by an Alloa player since Martin Grehan’s hat-trick v. Albion Rovers at Recreation Park in 5-1 victory on 27th October, 2012 and the first by an Alloa Athletic player at Gayfield since Stuart Callaghan in 3-0 victory on 2nd October, 2004.

 

barry smith at gayfield

I don’t like losing goals but our overall performance was really well done, we moved the ball really quickly in spells which caused them problems but overall it was a good team performance, the boys worked hard to get their goals and I am delighted for Greig Spence but somebody has to create the goals for him, although he was in the right place at the right time someone has to create them and that is the team working hard to create those chances. Although Greig Spence and Liam Buchanan have not played together often there are early signs of a partnership forming but we are not going to overboard at the moment. We have beaten a team from two divisions below us and in fairness to them they were well organised but we worked well to break them down. The boys level of fitness has always been good since I became manager and this hardwork is what gets us the reward. This year we are going to be in a hard league but we are going to face the challenge head on. It is a great confidence booster but we will not get carried away as it is the first game of the season.
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Alloa Athletic v Dundee

There was little between the sides in this Ramsdens Cup Tie, indeed Alloa could have been ahead in the first half, John Brown’s side I’m sure would have been happy to get to half-time level. In the second half Dundee came back into the game but it took a penalty to separate the teams, certainly not one in the stonewall category. The Wasps battled hard against a team which will be favourites for the new SPFL Championship title for 2013/14, and had to start the game without Jason Marr, Darren Young and Iain Flannigan, while Ryan McCord and Graeme Holmes had only had 45 minutes pre season match play and were still short of match fitness.

 

paul hartley after ramsdens cup tie

I thought in the first half we were excellent, we passed the ball and dominated possession, played in the right manner, played from the back, had a couple of chances, could have went in at half time one or two up but we knew Dundee would come back at us and they pressed us high up the park in the second half and we couldn’t get going, it was a we bit scrappy – but overall for me Dundee are the bench mark this year and we have shown that we can compete and we can play, we won’t be scared of anyone that is for sure. We had set out to match up with them, I have watched them pre season and they play a back three, the games I had seen them they had killed teams because they were playing a different system, and I thought I would match up, I have worked on it all week and our game plan worked well, it stopped their better players and allowed us to cause them problems. We would like to have won the game it took a penalty to separate the teams, our players will compete this year , we will be underdogs every single week in the league campaign. I was pleased with our performance, we have set ourselves a standard and we must keep to that for the full season. Every game is a though game there is no easy games, we have known that, next Saturday we will go to Peterhead – but one thing I want to do as a manager is will a cup game and get the monkey off my back, I haven’t won one yet. No disrespect to the Ramsdens Cup but the League Cup is more prestigious, if we win next week we would what a big tie, we know it will be tough up at Peterhead, we have already played them pre season, but it would be nice to win. Loads of positives to take from today’s game, I am pleased with the attitude of the players , they looked fit, although we are part time we matched them all the way, I’m proud of them.
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Cowdenbeath v Alloa Athletic

Alloa Athletic today went out on penalties in the first round of the Ramsdens Cup for the second time in a row. Having went behind in 2 minutes to a Lewis Coult goal, the team did well to come back and equalise through Ben Gordon and should have had the game won in the regulation 90 minutes. Again in extra time Alloa had the best oppportunities but could not find the winning goal their play deserved. So to penalties and after Scott Bain saved from ex Wasp Lewis Coult, Ryan McCord had the chance to put “The Wasps” ahead for the first time in the match, ex Alloa keeper Thomas Flynn did well to save Ryan McCord’s penalty. Penalties are always a bit of a lottery and Cowdenbeath converted theirs far better. At the end of the day it is goals that count and although Alloa did well they will look back on chances which on another day they would have taken. A relieved Colin Cameron said after the match “He is just delighted to be in the draw for the next round”.
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Peterhead v Alloa Athletic

The Wasps lost out in penalty shoot out against Peterhead in yesterday’s Ramsden’s Cup 1st Round tie at a very blustEry Balmoor Stadium. Although disappointed to have lost out on penalties the new look Alloa Athletic side proved they have great battling spirit and certainly pushed high spending Peterhead all the way in this opening competitive game of the new season. Alloa took the lead after 16 minutes when Ross McCord fired a 25 yard screamer past ex Alloa keeper, Raymond Jellema, but the home side rallied and equalised on the half hour. Rory McAllister, the home sides big money transfer signing in the close season then put them ahead on the hour mark with a well taken goal.

Manager Paul Hartley reacted by bringing on ex Rangers youth player Max Wright who rewarded his boss by scoring Alloa’s equaliser to set up a grand stand finish. Both sides had chances before the end of the regulation 90 minutes as the game ended 2-2. In the extra time Peterhead had the best of the chances with McAllister rattling the Alloa crossbar. So to penalties – Caddis scored 1-0, McAllister scored 1-1, Darren Young put his penalty over the bar 1-1, Watson scored 1-2, Ryan McCord scored 2-2, MacDonald scored 2-3, Holmes scored 3-3, Sharp scored 3-4, Craig Campbell scored although initial shot saved but keeper had moved off line 4-4, then Bryan Deasley scored winning penalty 4-5 to Peterhead.

 

PAUL HARTLEY AFTER PETERHEAD GAME

I thought there were some positive things to take from the game today, but when it goes to penalties to decide the outcome of the game it is a bit of a lottery to be honest with you. However in the second half of the extra time period Peterhead had the more clear cut chances which on another day they might have scored but over the initial ninety minutes I thought a draw was probably a fair result, we had a better spell in the second half when we got back into the game and kept going and we were certainly looking to win the game, we go into every game looking to win it, but I have to be pleased with the players performance levels today. We got off to a great start with Ross McCord scoring with a long range effort, we know he is capable of striking the ball like that as he does it in training all the time and we encourage him to shoot if he sees an opportunity. We then switched off a little bit after that but conditions didn’t help us play the way we like to pass the ball today, that’s not any excuses, after the goal Peterhead came right back into the game by equalising and then going ahead, but overall I’m satisfied the way the team played, people are saying that Peterhead are favourites , probably rightly so but we know and showed that we can compete and once we can get our passing game going then we will be fine.
Today was our first competitive game as a team in the Ramsden’s Cup and we want to win every game and no disrespect to the competition but our main aim this season is without doubt the league this year and I have stressed that to the players, they know what to expect, the work rate was there everything was there that we require, we are a new team , not many teams will require to bring in 18 new players in four weeks so there is a lot of positives to take from the game. I have confidence in my own players and people will look for ourselves and Peterhead to be strong contenders for promotion at the end of this season, but it is not all about just Alloa Athletic and Peterhead, there are eight other teams in the league who will feel they can get promotion as well, so we will have to be aware of every team and every team will be a threat but I am only interested in what my team does and I am sure we will be fine by the end of the season. Although I have brought 18 new players to the club I am still looking and working to add to the squad and bring in more quality, we are still on the lookout and will continue to do so , I have been looking at all possibilities, looking at all areas, speaking to people I know, I will enquire about players, I am satisfied with the squad I have got but you always have to be looking ahead in football with injuries and suspensions, so we will still be looking to add to the squad in the coming weeks.
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Dundee v Alloa Athletic

“The Wasps” lost a last minute goal at Dens Park today against Alba Challenge Cup holders Dundee to lose 2-1, in a game five minutes earlier they looked like progressing to the next round. Alloa Athletic, who are the last team to beat Dundee in the Challenge Cup having defeated the Dens Park side 2-1 at Recreation Park in Season 2008/09 can again take great credit from the game. Dundee started the game the stronger side and although they had the best of the first half play, they had little or no penetration. In the second half Alloa grew with confidence and took the lead on 74 mins when Scott Walker headed in a Kevin McDonald cross. Two minutes later the game could have been all over when Andy Scott curled a 25 yard shot of the crossbar with Scott Fox beaten. However four minutes from time substitute Colin McMenamin headed home a great cross from debutant Gary Irvine and in the final minute with the home side side now looking more direct, the ball broke kindly for other substitute Sean Higgins who lashed home a shot past Alloa keeper Robertson for a late winner the home side barely deserved.

Alloa Athletic v. Dundee
Alba Challenge Cup
Saturday 24th July, 2010 Kick-Off 3.00pm

1. Stephen Robertson                               1. Scott Fox
2. Billy Gibson                                          2. Gary Irvine Bkd 89m
3. Mark Brown Bkd 62m                         3. Craig Forsyth
4. Michael Dunlop                                    4. Brian Kerr
5. Scott Walker                                        5. Craig McKeown
6. John Grant Bkd 37m                            6. Kyle Benedictus
7. Andy Scott                                           7. Nicky Riley
8. Kevin McDonald                                  8. Stephen O’Donnell
9. Bryan Prunty                                         9. Mickael Antoine-Curier
10. Stuart Noble                                      10. Gary Harkins
11. Darren Smith                                      11. Leigh Griffths

12. David Gormley (10) 66m                    14. Sean Higgins (9) 69m
14. James Lister (9) 66m                          15. Eric Paton
15. Jamie Hay                                          16. Colin McMenamin (7) 69m
16. Declan McAvoy (7) 81m                    17. Paul McHale (4) 80m
20. Jamie Ewings                                      20. Rab Douglas

Referee : Euan Norris Assistants: Gordon Middleton & Jeff Banks

1 – 0 Scott Walker (74 mins)
1 – 1 Colin McMenamin (86 mins)
1 – 2 Sean Higgins (90 mins) Crowd – 1,522

 

allan maitland at dens

I felt at 1-0 that Dundee looked as though they had nothing left to give – I felt we were quite comfortable at 1-0, then Andy Scott hit the bar and obviously had that gone in it could have been game over, but I think to be fair to Dundee the subs made a difference to them, the team looked as though they were a bit flat before that and the subs gave them a bit energy as well. Sean Higgins kept to that small area in the box and Paul McHale got further up the park so that gave us a wee bit more of a problem and something more to think about but even at that I didn’t think our goal keeper had any saves to make. Andy Scott coming off was a problem for us because he was making clever runs he was causing them a problem, in doing so keeping Gary Harkins further back and when he came of Declan McAvoy who is a natural left back was playing in a more defensive role which allowed Dundee to come into that area, particularly Gary Irvine. It was a great ball for the goal and a great header by Colin McMenamin, but we were a bit unlucky that our keeper didn’t save it. I thought we were really unfortunate to lose the game but these things happen – we were under pressure, and a the shot breaks off Mark Brown and fell kindly to Sean Higgins who initially looked off side but I presume he wasn’t, however it’s a good finish although Stephen Robertson got a hand to it – the power forced the ball over the line. We allowed Dundee a lot of the ball and asked them to break us down to start with, in the first 15 minutes of the match I though Dundee were miles better than Alloa we didn’t show any composure during that spell but once we sorted it out and brought Stuart Noble a bit deeper and tidied that up I thought we defended really well against them – I can’t remember our goalkeeper making too many saves. I knew we would get a chance at some stage and our goal was a great finish from Scott Walker from a Kevin McDonald cross and I think the two defining moments of the game were – Andy Scott’s shot of the cross bar which would have made it 2-0 and their equalising goal which brought them right back into the game. I am pleased with our performance – it’s a difficult place to come and I thought it was a great performance from the boys and we were a little unfortunate in the end result, but we obviously wish Dundee all the best going forward into the next round and I’m pleased with all my debutants today and it was a good performance, I’m sure the players and our fans can take great credit from this display.
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Ross County v Alloa Athletic

“The Wasps” can hold their heads up after narrowly losing to last years beaten finalist, Ross County at Victoria Park in a five goal thriller. Alloa started brightly and attacked from the start, which was rewarded after 4 minutes when Stuart Noble caught Steven Watt trying to pass back to his keeper and nipped in to lob the ball home. Alloa maintained their positive style as often as possible throughout the game and in the end could well feel aggrieved not to hang on for penalties. Manager Allan Maitland did suffer a setback prior to the kick off when he discovered Stephen Hall, who only had signed for the club on Thursday evening, had been in a car crash on Friday night and suffered whiplash, making him unable to sit on the bench. In the end the full time fitness, especially in the 2nd period of extra time, when Alloa had been reduced to ten men was to be the difference on the day.

 

allan maitland after alba cup exit

First and foremost over the one hundred & twenty minutes I thought it was a good game, I thought we started well, scored a goal in the time we were on top and the players passed the ball well, there after I have to say Ross County played really well, had a lot of possession, didn’t create that many chances to be fair but were still causing us problems, especially when we were sitting in too deep. Again we started the second half well but early substitutions, with Steven Craig and Michael Gardyne coming on changed the game, with Michael Gardyne playing in an area, in which John Grant, who had already been booked and Mark Brown did start to tire, so Gardyne was causing us all sorts of problems, he took his first goal really well. We got to extra time and you could see we were tired, but my main problem at this stage of the game was that we were getting an awful lot of bookings, in a game there was hardly any dirty tackles, the sending off was a challenge, which I can understand why the referee sent Gary Carroll off, but in general the bookings were very soft. Then of course the referee produces a red card to Greig Spence before he realised he hadn’t been already booked and he had picked the wrong player, at times he couldn’t wait to produce a card. The penalty kick ..….lets just say it was in the soft category again, but David Crawford pulled off a magnificent save, our efforts by all our players on the day were excellent. I don’t necessary feel we deserved to win the game, Ross County scored good goals, so they deserved to win, but we deserved not to lose and if we had got to penalty kicks I would have been pleased with that. A great effort by the boys for our first game of the season and we just need to learn to keep a hold of the ball a bit better. A special mention to the Alloa Athletic fans who travelled to Dingwall and gave us great backing, it was really appreciated by the players, a big thank you.
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