Competition: Championship

Livingston v Alloa Athletic

The Wasps victory against Livingston yesterday, ended a run of eight consecutive defeats in the league and was our first ever win in the league at Livingston. The players showed credit character and will to win and closed the gap at the bottom of the table to only three points. The vital goal came when ex Wasps skipper Ben Gordon slipped and Robbie Crawford took advantage to score his first goal for the club. This was a deserved win and after taking the lead the team gained great belief and created numerous chances and might have extended their lead. At the end of the game the Alloa Athletic players applauded their loyal band of supporters and now the team want to kick start their season.

 

PADDY CONNOLLY AFTER LIVINGSTON VICTORY

A great result, especially after Tuesday night’s disappointing result, we needed a reaction from the players and to come here and collect the points is a great result and hopefully give the boys a lift for the rest of the season. It’s great that it is the club’s first victory in the league at Livingston but it is just great to get a win after a difficult period for the club on a horrendous run of results, maybe not deserved at times but to get the win I’m absolutely delighted, we rode our luck a wee bit at times, we had to defend deep, I said to the players go and play with belief and I knew we would get our spell in the game and we had two or three other decent chances, we created chances and looked dangerous on the break which we hadn’t been doing recently, so that was pleasing.

Delighted for the players who can go and enjoy their Christmas night out and hopefully there are a few more wins to come. It has been difficult to keep the spirits up, when you are on a bad run of results, you can see the confidence draining from the players but you just need to keep saying to them, we are in a full time league but we know on our day we can be a match for most teams in this league and I felt there was belief there and after the goal, we gained in confidence and showed what we can do.

After a run of eight straight defeats in the league, you might expect to be detached but I still feel we are in touching distance with the gap reduced to only three points. A week in football can be a long time, on Tuesday night I hardly slept, you suffer with the team, it was hard to defend Tuesday night’s result but there were spells in the second half we actually did alright and hopefully the result today will move us forward, Michael Duffy up front was different class and Jason’s return was so influential, he was a big plus for us today.
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Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Dumbarton

This being the only SPFL Championship game to survive the elements of hurricane “Desmond” today, it was certainly the faithful supporters of both clubs who must be applauded for their attendance at the game. As a spectacle the game was spoiled no doubt by the conditions which is no surprise. Although both teams put plenty of effort into the game, there was plenty of effort but little or no clear cut opportunities although it could be argued you have to make your own luck in our current league position. Goals change games and certainly when ex Wasp, Mark Docherty’s wind assisted goal direct from a corner put Dumbarton ahead they were relieved at their slice of luck. The second goal, when we were caught pushing forward only looked probable after the opening goal. At this time, it is difficult for the Alloa Athletic fans but the team needs their backing more than ever just now. The players will be back in tomorrow morning, to prepare for the second of our back to back games against Dumbarton, this time in the William Hill Scottish Cup tie scheduled for Tuesday evening, if the weather gives us that opportunity.

 

danny lennon after defeat to dumbarton

We are certainly getting punished for every wee mistake we make at this moment, but what we certainly can’t be is feeling sorry for ourselves, however we must take that frustration and channel that in a way to prepare and move on to the next game and channel it in a way that can earn us a result.

I thought our work rate, and application of the players today was absolutely fantastic in very difficult conditions, not helped by the elements. Goals always change games and particularly where we are at this minute in time, in terms of the first goal, certainly the elements played a major part, the players losing sight of the ball coming out of the blizzard conditions, saying that, you still have to deal with the corner better.

Every game is big for us from now on and what certainly Tuesday brings is a welcome break from the league campaign, it is a different focus, a one of game where you are looking to progress in what is the oldest club competition and its is a wonderful piece of silverware and we will look to progress in the tournament and move on to the next tier.

If we bring the same level of application and work rate we can achieve our aim, it is a cup competition and we have already had a positive result at Dumbarton earlier this season. I felt comfortable up until the opening goal, I thought we were on the ascendancy prior to, Dumbarton taking the lead, however goals change games. We are going through a very difficult period at this moment in time, up until Dumbarton took the lead we were very much in the game, however I get the fans frustration, I know how frustrated they are, I’m going through the same emotions as them and I really feel for them because they invest so much of their time and money & emotions into their club, but we are working very hard behind the scenes to get that right.

We did have some good performances today, I thought Michal Duffy was excellent, one thing which I’m sure cannot help us – is that we have not been able to field the same team each week due to injuries and suspensions. Playing part-time players in a mainly full-time league takes its toll but we must keep focused, we start our preparation as of now and we will be back in again tomorrow, Sunday, to get over the disappointment and we will discuss one or two things that went well for us during the game and also look at the things that didn’t go well and we will move on.
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Alloa Athletic v Hibernian

It was a better display, but another frustrating afternoon for “The Wasps” against high flying Hibernian, the team worked very hard and were punished for a mistake which cost the team a point, the defence looking far better assured than previous week against Falkirk. This was the fourth 1-0 defeat this season and looking back the players will want to end the run of poor results next weekend as they break from the demands of a very competitive Championship to face Dumbarton in the William Hill Scottish Cup. The team can go into this game knowing they have won already this season at Dumbarton and another victory would give everyone a lift at the club, keeping belief and knowing that getting the first goal will be hugely important, before going into back to back games against Dumbarton which will be pivotal for the team before the end of 2015.

 

danny lennon after hibs game

From our point of view I would take that level of performance every week in this league, we got a wonderful reaction from a big disappointment in our standards that we have set ourselves last week against Falkirk. I asked the players today to go out and install some of that and build their reputation again and they certainly done that against a very good Hibernian side that have the potential of winning this league.

There was a lot of good performances today and particularly in the first half where we limited Hibernian to maybe one and a half chances but as against all good teams you need a wee bit luck and we got that in the second half, but we defended great, not just at the back but from the front, I thought the shape throughout was good with a lot of good performances and what was great about that is the fact that we were prepared to throw bodies on the line and that means a great deal.

I thought there were a few players who pleasantly over surprised me, in how well they done today, I thought Michael Chopra in that area, not in terms of what he created but in terms of his work rate it was second to none, also Scott Hynd gained the experience to play against a highly competitive team like Hibs at his age and this will hold him in good stead for the future. We have had three very difficult fixtures recently and there is positives taken out of two of these three games and we took negatives out of last week’s display and learnt from that and shown that today.

Andy McNeil tightened up his back and had to come off at half time but he was commanding for us and came for a good few crosses and had a good afternoon and David Crawford come in and adjusted very well, so we were pleased to have two good goalkeepers. The way the game panned out in second half was disappointed to loose Dougie Hill I think at times there is a little bit of commonsense needed within the laws of the game.
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Falkirk v Alloa Athletic

Yesterday’s derby defeat to neighbours Falkirk was one of “The Wasps” worst displays of the season, against a team who are full of confidence and playing some of their best football of the season, unfortunately once we lost the first goal we were on the back foot and Falkirk took control of the game. It was difficult for the Alloa fans to watch and a day we need to put behind us. The display did improve in the second half, Mark Williams firing a great shot, which was saved before Steven Hetherington just failed to connect after Robbie Crawford’s effort just missed the back post. The arrival of young Michael Hardie and Scott Hynd was a positive move, with Scott Hynd making an immediate impact, his excellent shot was saved by Danny Rogers, but it injected some tempo into the Alloa side which now will face second top Hibernian at the Indodrill Stadium next Saturday. Admission £ 18, Over 65s & U16’s £ 9, Season Tickets are valid for the match v. Hibernian. Tickets are on sale at Alloa Leisure Bowl Monday – Friday: 6.30 am to 9.00 pm, Saturday: 9.00 am to 5.00 pm & Sunday: 9.00 am to 7.00 pm.

 

danny lennon at falkirk

I thought Falkirk were exceptional today, and thoroughly deserved their victory and the quality goals that went along with that, but we didn’t do ourselves justice at any time today. Sorry for taking time to get to the waiting media but I was 45 minutes with my players after the match in the dressing room. We had selection problems today and we had to shuffle the pack, even right up until this morning we were waiting but had two further call off’s. So that was frustrating but I certainly don’t make that as any excuse as I feel the quality within this squad should have been equipped to come in and handle this situation but unfortunately as a whole today we didn’t show these qualities.

No doubt it is our worst display of this season and the fact that it is a local derby we didn’t want to come and get done over like that but we failed to bring our true qualities today in our application and attitude, attitude is always there but I thought today in terms of us putting it all together we fell well short of what I expect – what was a positive for us today was the two younger kids coming on and showing a wee bit of energy.

I think even in any situation given how difficult it was for us today to try and take a positive from it their introduction was our only positive, we are very much aware of where we are at this moment in time during the season and up until now there are things which haven’t worked for us and we know changes will need to be made and we will certainly be bold enough to do that. W

e now take on Hibernian next week but these are the challenges we all signed up for, we knew how competitive the league was, and to be honest with that group of players, the big games they don’t really faze me because we know the players level of application will be there as they showed at Ibrox last week. Today we never got out the traps and I read Peter Houston’s comments in the match programme – how they like to dominate the middle of the pitch and play at such a high intensity, and they done that and they were good to watch, they took that hunger and appetite and if we can take anything from the game today other that the two kids which came on, we need to show that energy and the tempo of the game that Falkirk played from start to finish.
5 - 0
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Rangers v Alloa Athletic

The visit to Ibrox was never going to be an easy task for “The Wasps” against league leaders Rangers who had dangerously lost their first league game of the season the previous week against Hibernian. Following Rangers Remembrance Day tribute, the home side looked to take the game to their visitors but disappointingly an error allowed the home side to get the early lead they had hoped for, Andy McNeil being caught in two minds and put his weak clearance straight to Martyn Waghorn, who expertly shot the ball into the back of the net. Three minutes later James Tavernier doubled their lead with a well placed free kick. To their credit Alloa weathered the storm and created two gilt edged chances, five minutes before half time Michael Chopra looked to punish a Rob Kiernan error, having time to run in on goal his shot beat Rangers keeper Wes Foderingham, but came crashing back out off the crossbar, a minute later Eddie Ferns broke free on goal, but delayed his shot and Lee Wallace got back to somehow save the day. This was “The Wasps” best spell in the game and at this level you will be punished for not taking your chances. Barrie McKay then pounced on a poor Michael Chopra ball and the alert Waghorn again finished clinically. In the second half the Alloa players showed great determination and concentration to thwart the Rangers advances. Ex Rangers player Kyle McAusland had a headed attempt before Eddie Ferns turned sinner, with a stamp on Rangers youngster Jordan Thompson, which reduced Danny Lennon’s side to ten men. Seventeen year old Ryan Hoggan was then introduced to make his Wasps League debut, and deserving presence in the game. Then after all the good work in the second half, Nicky Clark made it 4-0 with a header deep into time added on, which was cruel, albeit a deserved win for Rangers.

 

danny lennon at ibrox

I take a lot of positives from today’s game, in terms of how well we competed, the attitude and application of the players was fantastic, however when you come to Ibrox you know that when you come up against a big club like this and Rangers had a point to prove, which made it doubly hard, after coming from a result last week when they lost to Hibernian, so they had a point to prove, why they believe they are the best in the league at this moment in time. They certainly did that today as well as the quality of the three goals in the first half, they were absolutely first class finishes from their point of view but like anything we certainly had a helping hand within that.

The teams are Worlds apart in terms of size, finances, etc, – I asked my players prior to coming here today to go out and compete and apply themselves with the right attitude and application they would be winners in my eyes, regardless of the score, so we will take these positives from the game today and we now have to put them together in the games, when we do not face the top teams like Rangers, with the same quality week in week out, unfortunately we will not be playing in such a wonderful environment as this every week but we will still need to go with the same frame of mind and we cannot let that level of performance drop.

It would have been very interesting if Michael Chopra’s shot which came back off the cross bar and the one where Eddie Ferns goes through, but it was wonderful defending from Lee Wallace to get back, probably no other Rangers player on the pitch would have got back, and goals certainly do change games, Rangers then went down the other end of the park and unfortunately for us Jason Marr slipped and as all good strikers do, Martyn Waghorn capitalised with a fantastic finish.

I thought Waghorn’s movement today was terrific, I thought even as well as we tried to plug the gaps –NASA couldn’t have kept track of him today with his movement, he was absolutely fantastic. The first goal we lost was a sore one I would like to see it again but from my first point of view I thought Andy McNeil should have picked it up, but other than that if he thought he couldn’t pick it up rather than kick it back into an area in the centre of the goal you have to put it into the Sandy Jardine Stand.

Quality players will punish you for wee mistakes, other weeks we might have got away with it with that kind of error. Even at two nothing down as early in the game, I still felt that having watched Rangers in the past, they never really got at us in terms that they did earlier in the season at Alloa, also when you are playing against the top teams you know a wee bit more about them and we knew a wee bit more about ourselves and while 4-0 looks bad, it terms of the result, but to come here and put on the level of performances we did for the club our size in a highly competitive league I thought we did absolutely well. My message at half-time was that we were never going to come back out and score four goals or three goals to get back in the game and the message to the players was not to allow it to go to four, five or six, which they can do to teams which has happened already this season.

So our aim was to stay to our game plan and make sure that we didn’t concede more and the most disappointing thing was then to lose the fourth goal in time added on, which put a slight damper on the second half performance.

Eddie Ferns made a rash decision, which we all saw, but he has held his hand up and apologised to his teammates which I greatly admire that he was wrong, which made it even more difficult for us. It was also great to give 17 year old Ryan Hoggan his league debut and for him as a young player to come here and get a wee flavour of the environment, we hope he grows in it and takes all the experience in.
4 - 0
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Queen of the South

Once again “The Wasps” will look back on the game against Queen of the South and reflect on what could have been, they got off to the best possible start with Graeme Holmes scoring a fantastic strike after only 35 seconds. Indeed Alloa had the ball in the net again in the first half, Mikk Reintam knocked the ball down for Robbie Crawford to net but the big Estonian was adjudged offside. The turning point of the game came immediately at the start of the second half when Queen’s broke from the kick-off, Iain Russell put through a ball wide on the left to Derek Lyle, who looked suspiciously offside, his cross was headed goalwards by Paul Heffernan, which was blocked by Andy McNeil but Gary Oliver reacted first and knocking in the rebound, ten minutes later Oliver again scored the winner, coming in at the back post. Alloa still had chances and on another day, Eddie Ferns shot from wide left of the box, came back off the post and cleared to safety.

 

danny lennon after queen of the south

Once again very disappointed not to be taking any points from the game, which is highly frustrating as it is, points that are going to help you survive in this league, so we are very disappointed in that. I think I said in my notes prior to the game looking over the first quarter of the season, where we have been in my assessment, and on what was required in the second quarter of the season, I felt that there were five of those games, in the first quarter, that we participated in and that’s not good enough that we deserved to come away with nothing playing second best and then there’s other games within that we have competed very well and you could say we deserved some points three games we deserved some points and then other games that we have picked up some points and played like winners.

Coming into the second quarter what has been pleasing is that we are not participating in those games we are competing in the games and that has to be what we are asking for, as a minimum. Today, I felt that once again the start of the second half they would come out with a big reaction but who was going to have the biggest reaction – I actually missed the first QOS goal as I was just coming out of the tunnel when the roar went up and that was highly frustrating because they have reacted and started better.

I actually felt that we played better in the second half than in the first half so there was a lot of pleasing stuff within that. Certainly within the first nine or ten minutes where they scored their two goals that is where we lost the game today. There was high levels of everything that we are looking for, players competing, Eddie Ferns when things are not going your way and you look at everything you may even look at outside influences today, maybe decisions not going your way but that is what it feel s like when you are in the position where we are. On another day Eddie Ferns strike maybe does not come off the post and go out the way, it maybe bounces off the post and goes another way – it does not fall kindly to our players– these are the thin margins that we keep talking about. We need to dust ourselves down. We now go to a place next week which is going to be a huge, a huge, challenge for us but one that we all signed up for and that was my message to them just now when you were a wee boy growing up and you had all those dreams and hopes it was going to stadiums like that and trying to fulfil that and going there to compete and I am delighted that over the last few weeks we are continuously competing in games and keeping ourselves in games.

As I said we go there , as a wee kid you wanted to go there and you wanted to play in stadiums that have a full house against what the experts will say good quality players , that is going to be the challenge for us but one that we certainly be prepared for – once again we will take our medicine, dust ourselves down and will be raring to go again – I have continuously said that it is important that we do start to pick points up – this season is not a sprint we are still in the marathon part, there is a lot of football still to be played as I said I am particularly pleased that we are keeping ourselves in the games at this minute in time – it was a terrific start for us – I don’t know if goals can come too early – I joked with a child at the side and said how long is there to go, after we scored – do you think we’ll hold on! It was a terrific strike and something we have encouraged the players to do – over the piece we have spoke about where your goals are going to come from and we need them from all quarters and it was terrific that “Homer” who he believes doesn’t have that type of thing in his locker, but I know that he has, and it is trying to get that out of him, a wonderful goal and one he will certainly cherish. I class Hibernian and Rangers as the top two with the big budgets and the ones that will be there at the end of the season competing for first and second. As for the other teams – I have continuously said it is what you bring on that day – on our day we will give any of the other 7 teams a games. What of other teams, do they have a bit of consistency – we have just got to relish the challenge, the points that we have gained – points we have picked up have been against bigger teams and we know more about these teams second time around and hopefully we can nullify what their qualities have and play to our strengths.
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Greenock Morton v Alloa Athletic

To come away with nothing at Cappielow on Saturday, after all the effort the players put in is really frustrating. The players themselves are frustrated by the recent run of results but know they can still turn things around. Once again on Saturday it turned into a game of “first goal the winner” , the margins in this league are tighter than ever and looking back the players know when chances come along they must be taken at this level or you will be punished. However, it took a wonder strike from a second half free kick for Greenock Morton to claim full points at Cappielow and seperate the teams. The Wasps will now face Queen of the South next Saturday at the Indodrill Stadium, after James Fowler’s men were defeated 4-1 at Dumfries by Livingston which pushed “The Wasps” to the foot of the table.

 

danny lennon at cappielow

Disappointed with the result, but we know just how challenging and difficult this league is, but once again today to put in a performance, especially in the first half, it’s difficult to take that we again take nothing from the game. The difference was the one piece of brilliance which won Greenock Morton the game today, it was a fantastic free kick, what we have to address is the challenges and the free kicks we give away and there is fine lines between controlled aggression and rash, rushing in there challenges and giving the referee the opportunity to give a free kick, I thought personally it was a foul but there is such fine lines within decisions in every game. I thought in the first half we did well and the points were there for the taking, but where we had to improve was in that final third, continually I feel we are still trying to look for that perfect pass or that extra touch to set us up, and more often than not at this minute in time when we do take that extra touch we lose out on that pass that we are looking for, which has been going against us. I’m a great believer if you don’t buy a raffle ticket you cannot win, so we need to take the most of our chances when they are presented.

We know the challenge which we have signed up for at the start of the season, teams will defend deep and once again the first goal was going to prove so important. It is even more disappointing to find ourselves now bottom of the league after other results today, but we know that it is not a sprint, it’s a marathon and we are getting a lot closer to teams and our stats within the games are improving but the biggest stat that we must improve on at this time is that when we do have that bit of ascendancy at any given stage we must make it count and take our opportunities when they arise that’s the frustrating part. Michael Chopra had a great chance in the first half and he will be disappointed he didn’t put it away but he scored some great goals at the end of last season to keep us in this Division and there is no reason why he cannot reach these levels again and he will. Every single game for us is crucial and we again are disappointed we didn’t take something out of our past two games which we have lost 1-0, we know what this football club have achieved in the past three seasons staying in this fantastic league and we have to try and emulate that to go beyond that and achieve a fourth consecutive season in the Championship.

I believe in every one of the boys in that dressing room and there are some, I look at Jason Marr’s performances in the last four or five weeks where he has been exceptional and these are the levels we should be reaching, Colin Hamilton is now settling in to the games in away we knew he could. Morton being a full time team get far more time with their players to work on things, I can’t always come out with that excuse but the players are getting to know my style of play better and they are also getting to know me better and I am getting to know them better as well, but the most important thing is I can get the maximum out of these players, it is also the players own responsibility not only with us on a Tuesday or Thursday but they do take it on for themselves to do that wee bit extra, we have some great pros so that is not a big ask.

At the end of the day we cannot legislate for a piece of brilliance which wins the game, it was a worthy goal to win any game. What we have to look at is the fact people might say we have not replaced Liam Buchanan, but where do you replace a player like that? Apart from Liam Buchanan who scored 17 goals last season the likes of Kevin Cawley got 5 goals , but at this time we cannot rely on one person we need everybody to be looking to get on the score sheet be it Andy McNeil or David Crawford, but we cannot get ourselves down to low , yes we are disappointed and we will wake up the same as the fans because we are passionate about the game and have that washing machine going within our belly, here we go and you will be hiding from people at work but you cannot get to low, also on the high’s we mustn’t get carried away. Our joy and our fulfilment will be at the end of this season whether we are playing in this league for a fourth consecutive season and that’s what will count in May not where we are just now that is you aim.
1 - 0
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Raith Rovers

Danny Lennon and his players can be disappointed not to take anything from this game, it is a travesty they lost, but the bottom line is they need to be more clinical. In this league the first goal is so important, we played some very good football but again can look back on chances we had, bid didn’t put away – Michael Duffy was excellent, Michael Chopra could have put us ahead on two separate occasions but could the team could not capitalise when on top. Losing, what was to be the winning goal, a minute after both teams made a double substitution. Even after losing a late goal, substitute Eddie Ferns might have given us at least a deserved draw but his final shot was straight at Raith keeper Cuthbert. A sore result to take on the day.

 

danny lennon after raith rovers game

The positives are I would take that level of performance every single week, the commitment, determination and attitude of the players, desire right throughout the game. I thought a lot of spells we played some very good football and created some good opportunities and we have to be more clinical to finish them off – there is a little bit error in the middle of the park you still have to go a long way but when you are right up in the top of the league the more breaks that you get it falls into the box for you and these are the very fine margins that we are up against. As I said if we get that little of consistency – what I am pleased about that from the break there last week we have put in workman like performances like that and if we continue to do that we will give ourselves every opportunity to keep ourselves in the game and gain very valuable points in a very competitive league. I thought Michael Duffy was great and he had been on international duty in Northern Ireland and we were touch and go whether we have him today and I thought he had a lot of energy and was exceptional against Falkirk the other week – what we are enc ouraging and challenging these players to do is to play at that level of performance on a regular basis. There were two fantastic saves from their goal keeper today and Michael will be disappointed but I am taking heart in the way that we are taking opportunities into the box – just for me his first header he done everything right – the second one and I don’t know if this played on his mind when first coming in it was a terrific run from Michael Doyle and I thought there was enough pace in the ball to directly header – he tried to make doubly sure of it and as good teams at the top of the league have and the fighting spirit that Raith Rovers showed he was in the line and blocked it terrifically well. I take more positives out of today than I have in a long time. You know that we have really committed players – I felt today that they deserved more out of the game but to come and it showed that we are a good side and my only challenge now is to show those strengths on a regular basis and if we do that we will give ourselves a good fighting opportunity. It was great to see Michael Doyle coming back with enthusiasm a lot of good individual performances, delighted with the back four and with the goal keeper. I thought Kyle McAusland did everything we asked him to do today in terms of nullifying the Raith attack. Graeme Holmes in the middle of the park was great. The two up top Michael Duffy and Colin Hamilton showed good quality. A lot of good players this season. We had to change one or two things. Connor McManus had a virus this week so he was missing, Dougie Hill also was injured but I think Mikk Reintham and Jason Marr were very good this week.
0 - 1
Full Time

St Mirren v Alloa Athletic

The Wasps bounced back after last week’s disappointing display against Livingston, in their first ever league game at new St. Mirren Park. Danny Lennon received a great reaction from the home St. Mirren fans going back to a ground where he had so many great memories. However, he proved his Alloa Athletic side can be a match for many of the sides in the Championship, limiting the home side to few clear cut chances. Unfortunately it was an error which lead to St. Mirren finally taking the lead on 68 minutes. The Wasps, did not let their heads go down and stormed back to gain a deserved equaliser six minutes later when Jason Marr vollied past Jamie Langfield and gain a fully merited valuable league point.

 

danny lennon after st mirren

It was a very welcome point for us but we thoroughly deserved, I thought our work commitment, the attitude of the players and the determination which was missing collectively last week, was evident and it showed with the amount of booking we collected today also, but it is pleasing to come to a very difficult venue and take away a massive point for us. I was delighted with the reaction and response I received from the St. Mirren fans, it was great that I could finally say a big thank you to them, I loved my four years at St. Mirren, my philosophy is the supporters, it is their football club, you are working for them, they invest so much of their time, money and emotions and it is their football club, even to this day I still get some fantastic emails, texts and letters from St. Mirren fans, we had some fantastic memories together and it will long live in my memory , it was an absolute pleasure my time at St. Mirren Football Club and it was great we could have a little bit success along the way but now my focus is on Alloa Athletic Football Club and it is an absolute privilege, it is a great wee club, where we are at this moment of time, we are playing in a highly competitive league and we are looking to try and achieve a fourth consecutive status in the Championship and what an achievement that would be for this club, so every point is valuable for us, it is a difficult challenge with the quality within the Championship this season, we won’t get our full satisfaction or our joy until the end of the season to know what we have achieved, I have an honest bunch of players and it was great to see them, even after going a goal down to respond in the manner they did, a very pleasing days work. We were disappointed at the goal we lost, looking at it Andy McNeil coming into the side made some fantastic saves, big Mikk’s played in past couple of games but I have to give the players the benefit of doubt, they haven’t really played together on matches days, other than in training, maybe a wee bit of a misunderstanding there, the two of them have said they could have done better and I think as a manager when you don’t have to ask questions when the two players came out themselves with the answer and that is great honesty , they have made a mistake but the biggest thing is they learn from this one mistake until the next time. Going into the break now it gives us the opportunity to rest players who have been carrying knocks, Dougie Hill and Michael Chopra, a wee ten day break which gives them time to recover, with us being a part time football club you only have the boys two nights a week, so it gives us an extra opportunity to work with them next weekend, top them up a little bit. We have allowed Aron Lynas to go on loan to East Stirlingshire until the end of the year to gain more first team action, which will be good for him, and we also have Michael Doyle and Greg Rutherford back at the club training, they will both be involved in the Reserve game on Monday night against Stenhousemuir.
1 - 1
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Livingston

Saturday was a game to forget for “The Wasps” on the football pitch where the players on the day were outbattled by Livingston. Prior to the kick-off, Chairman Mike Mulraney asked the supporters to remember ex Chairman and Honorary Director, Bobby Hopkins with a minutes applause, after one of the club’s finest supporters had died the previous Saturday.
The team however, disappointingly put in possibly their poorest performance of the season and were punished by returning ex Alloa Athletic top goalscorer from last season, Liam Buchanan, who joined Livingston in the close season after clinching a full time contract.

 

DANNY LENNON AFTER LIVI DEFEAT

Very disappointed and very angry that we have allowed the opposition to come here today and win the battle and dominate us, practically the whole game, very disappointed in that manner. We have to congratulate them on winning, you always look as a manager to make your team difficult to break down but they certainly did that throughout the game, that was very disappointing. At the times we did get on the ball I thought our decision on the ball was poor today, so there is no doubt from the start of this campaign that has been our poorest performance, so it is very important that we learn, dust our selves down and get that hunger and fire back in our bellies as we know how competitive this league is and these have been key strengths for us over the last couple of weeks where we have managed to collect four points out of the previous three games, that grit and determination, keep working, which will be the major part in getting that success and if we are successful in staying in the Championship for the fourth consecutive season these are the ingredients that are going to do it.

I think you look at the bench and the depth of the squad at this time and I have very difficult decisions to make, Graeme Holmes not starting and sitting out today, whiter that was the right or wrong decision it was a difficult game to try and suggest that where Livingston appeared to win every single battle today, it’s very difficult to pin point exactly what went wrong, it’s hard to say who played to a satisfactory standard, we can play a far better quality of football at this football club. However we have a group of hungry players throughout the squad who are waiting for that opportunity and that may arise for a few of them next Saturday.

I think you seen a bit of brilliance from Michael Chopra where he steps forward and hits a cracking drive but I think really it wasn’t the fact we didn’t create out and out scoring opportunities I think in the terms of the way Livingston got in and about us we have to give them credit but we have to be better and be able to handle that situation and come up with answers to counterattack that, I feel on the times when we got possession we made very poor decisions and therefore that didn’t allow us into the final third to create the opportunities.

Going back to St.Mirren will be another tough game next week at a place where I have some great memories its games like that playing at Stadiums like St. Mirren that we all signed up for at the start of the season, we certainly know the challenge that lies ahead, very much looking forward to the game, I can’t wait for Tuesday to arrive to get the players back in, I always feel when you have had a performance like that it is a very long weekend, but we have to take our medicine, dust ourselves down and look to bounce back again, I certainly believe we have the character in the squad and they have shown that apart from today and I hope it is another nine or ten games before I am having the same conversation.
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