Competition: Championship

Alloa Athletic v Falkirk

Alloa Athletic fought back after going down to ten men and Falkirk scoring from the resultant penalty to snatch a deserved equaliser and a league point with a late goal. Having had the best opportunities in the first half and been denied by visiting goalkeeper Danny Rogers, it was cruel for him to let Colin Hamilton’s shot slip through his hands for “The Wasps” equaliser. Danny Lennon’s team fought for the full ninety minutes and were determined to take something from the game, Eddie Ferns coming off the bench to be a thorn in the heart of the Falkirk defence not for the first time as was recalled in the match programme, recalling his “goal of the season” against “The Bairns” on 22nd March, 2014, which sparked an Alloa victory on that day.

 

DANNY LENNON AFTER DRAW

We have spoke over the past couple of weeks of having that belief, and I thought the boys showed that in abundance today, against a very good Falkirk team who are very much in form. I thought even at the stage when we went down to ten men and a goal down, the neutral coming to the game would have thought that was game over, but we showed that unbreakable belief and fought for absolutely everything we got, so I was absolutely delighted for our group of players who got their rewards at the end of the game for it. I was pleased with a lot of aspects in the game, especially in the first half, I thought we played a lot of good football , we hit on the break very quickly and very unfortunate that some good goalkeeping from Andy Rogers kept them in it, but to be fair they also looked dangerous as well, they had a few corners which looked dangerous, it would have been very easy when things went against us, with the sending off, which was the right decision, it was poor concentration by Jason, the boy John Baird stroke home the penalty well and at that stage it would have been easy for the heads to go down, but they didn’t and they stuck by everything we had said, we tweaked one or two things to also cause Falkirk problems and I was delighted to say that paid off for us, but it was the players who stuck by their instructions and got their reward in the final minute of the game, we had that never say die attitude today. I thought when you balance the game out over the ninety minutes it was probably the right result. What was positive today was the threat Michael Duffy was being pushed further forward which gave us a lot of energy in that final third of the pitch and we defended fantastically as a team right throughout the game. We didn’t start the second half the way we had finished the first half but you have got to give credit to Falkirk a side which is up the right end of the league table a lot of respect for that because they are a good side and they still remain undefeated this season in the league.

Having made such good saves in the first half, perhaps in the second half he didn’t have to work as hard for long periods which effects his concentration, he had very little to do in the second half to be fair , he is a good quality goalkeeper , he certainly showed that in his first half performance, you have to feel for goalkeepers when they make a mistake because more often than not it leads to a goal. No one of the twenty eight players used today would make a mistake during the game but it is always goalkeeping errors which are highlighted. Our own goalkeeper, David Crawford was claiming an assist for the goal, we will give him it, he is a players who never shy’s away and it helps his ego but he also had a couple of important saves and it was nice to see him coming and collecting balls which helped take that wee bit pressure on our defence. Eddie also showed to be a good threat when he came on, we went with a couple up top and it worked with Eddie going through and he provided a very important contribution, which lead to the corner and then lead to the equalising goal. I was also delighted for Colin Hamilton, he did everything well and struck the ball well, on target, and if you don’t buy a raffle ticket you cannot win the lottery.
1 - 1
Full Time

Hibernian v Alloa Athletic

It looked as though “The Wasps” tactics had worked at Easter Road in the first half, looking to break when given the opportunity and soaking up the Hibernian possession and frustrating their players, manager and supporters, until Liam Henderson gave them the lead a minute before the break when he knocked home after David Crawford had parried top scorer Jason Cummings shot from, what looked like an offside position. Indeed it was “The Wasps” who had the first chances in the game when Grame Holmes and Connor McManus both had opportunities to silence the home crowd. The second goal only four minutes into the second half was the killer, having defended so well in the first half, the defence and David Crawford would be disappointed Jason Cummings shot went under the Alloa keeper into the net. Michael Chopra was playing a lonely game up front himself, it was difficult for the Alloa players at times to break forward such was the Hibernian pressure. Twenty minutes into the second half John McGinn scored Hibs third goal after ghosting into the box. Iain Flannigan returned to the Alloa squad and might have scored a consolation goal late in the match but just failed at the back post.

 

DANNY LENNON AT EASTER ROAD

Easter Road is a difficult place to come, we certainly knew that, the resources that Hibernian have, there is a massive gulf between ourselves in terms their stadium, their budget they have, it is difficult. We were absolutely delighted in the first half in terms of the way our game plan was going for us – “The operation went well, but the patient died, as they say”. It was frustrating to lose the goal just prior to half time and just having seen it there again, it was offside, so that again makes it even more difficult to take, I would certainly like to have seen the difference that would have made at half time as the Hibernian fans were certainly starting to get frustrated and I certainly believe if they hadn’t scored when they did with the fortune they got, it would have been a different cheer they would have been getting walking off the pitch which would have given us more confidence. However going back out and losing the second goal as soon as we did was hugely disappointing as we had defended well in open play in the first 45 minutes, that was huge for us, but as I’m sitting here and saying that we can take nothing away from Hibernian they deserved their victory but we have to be honest enough and say – with the gulf in the size of the clubs and with us coming and making ourselves difficult to beat, which was the best option for us, staying in that game at 0-0 and trying to keep ourselves in it as we as long as we could, for as long as we could, I think it would have been interesting, especially if we had managed to put a bit flair on near the end if they had been holding on to a 1-0 score line.

A lot of positives to take once again from our point of view, I think when you are asking your team to play in that manner it takes a lot of discipline, and concentration when you are not seing a lot of possession but also saying that that when we did have possession, our best spell was very early in the match, but when we did win a lot of possession we were still in that defensive transition and didn’t really break out. The little time we have with the players we can see the quality at training on a Tuesday and Thursday evening but coming here and it is the responsibility of myself and the coaching staff to know what ability these players have and continue to fill them with the belief to come and play on platforms and stadiums like this, this is what we signed up for and that’s what you put all the hours into as a kid to come and play at grounds like Easter Road. It is important that when you get that opportunity you don’t let it by pass you and be brave in and out of possession but take nothing away from Hibernian they were fantastic – they passed the ball well, played very simple and very quickly but they also when they lost possession they hunted in packs and you have to give them credit for that.

I said to our players in the dressing room the local derby against Falkirk next Saturday will be a great game to be involved in, Falkirk coming back to win 3-2 today, but all the games are coming thick and fast, we now have Hibernian and Rangers fixtures in the past and we need to learn from those games, good and bad things we did, coming up now is games where there is not the same gulf in a Falkirk v. Alloa game as there might be in a Hibernian v. Alloa game, so we will continue to take the positives, learn from the negatives and look to improve on some of these next week, the last few weeks we have played in patches and today I didn’t think we done that.
3 - 0
Full Time

Dumbarton v Alloa Athletic

Victory at Dumbarton was just what the team deserved after staying focused in a game they never let their concentration dip at any part of the game. Having not won at Dumbarton since 2009 it was never going to be an easy game, but in the end a great team performance gave them a vital first victory in the SPFL Championship this season. The first half was disappointing with the ball being in the air and out of the ground more than on the park. The home side had plenty possession but never threatened David Crawford. Indeed the visitors went closest to taking the lead early in the second half when a Connor McManus volley was well saved by Mark Brown, seven minutes later Alloa scored the important first goal, McManus taking a quick free kick and Graeme Holmes turned in the box to slip the ball into the net, catching out the Dumbarton defence. Alloa always looked dangerous on the break with Robbie Crawford & substitute Eddie Ferns looking for openings. Into time added on Eddie Ferns slipped past Frazer Wright, who was making his home debut for “The Sons” to clinch the three points with a well taken goal.

 

DANNY LENNON AT DUMBARTON

It was ‘the perfect blend’ of a performance from his squad that was key to their victory.

This victory was very, very pleasing because it was a real team effort.  The way that the boys have worked throughout what has been a difficult start for us, so it was great to see them get their reward for that. The shape with all the new boys coming in has been difficult for us to get right, but I think we got the balance right in this one and I was absolutely delighted to see the players finally be rewarded for their efforts. It was a perfect mix for us in terms of the qualities of when we look to play and when we had to defend.

There was a stronger wind than you think out there so we were pleased to get in at 0-0 at half time. In the second half, we got the ball down and played well when we got our chances and to a man we were excellent in defence as well. It’s ok working on things in training, but when you get to the big occasion of the game itself you must deliver. Luckily for us, every single one of them did that and played a massive part in the victory.

We are thrilled to come away with our first three points because we knew it was a massive game coming in here. It is a long hard season in this division and a lot of people were saying us being bottom of the league is where we should be with the start we have had, but then that is what they have said for the last three years about Alloa.

What this football club have done, time and time again is defy those people and been able to punch well above our weight and prove everyone wrong. If we are able to bring those same qualities along with the type of football that I know we are capable of then hopefully we can once again earn the right to survive in this division again. There will be a lot of twists and turns before then and it is up to the players to go out there and write their own future. If we can continue to produce the type of performance that we did at Dumbarton then we will definitely be the cause of those twists and turns.

Michael Chopra will be ok, he took a bump to his hip and was struggling to move. We were disappointing to lose him from the game. Gerry went on and treated him and it says everything about him that he carried on played for almost an hour with the injury. He is a quality player and you saw the way he links the play for us so hopefully it is not too serious.

We now look to build on this result and I am excited to see the quality players that we have to come back in now. Iain Flannigan has had no reactions to his training and things are starting to settle down for us now so it is important that the players enjoy the feeling of the Dumbarton win and hopefully that spurs them on for more. As soon as we get back to training though, then the hard work will begin again for the difficult trip to Hibs.”

I was delighted with the performance of Robbie Crawford. I don’t like to single out individuals, but in terms of coming in for his debut and having only met the players on Tuesday, then I thought he was terrific. You can see the qualities he has. He showed great energy and desire in his performance and that was typified by him busting a gut to get up to support for Eddie’s goal. Fair play to Eddie for the goal and we’re delighted for him, but that energy from Crawford showed us what he is all about. He will do well for us, I am absolutely convinced of that.
0 - 2
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Greenock Morton

Another disappointing second half display from “The Wasps” today in a game one goal was to take the three points. Alloa were again missing top goal scorer this season Iain Flannigan with a back injury and captain Dougie Hill missed out after suffering concussion last Saturday at Starks Park. The first goal in this game was always going to be crucial, but although having good possession, especially in the first half, “The Wasps” would be disappointed at their play in the final third of the park by not troubling visiting keeper Grant Adam enough. The manager and players would be disappointed to lose their fourth Championship game this season, albeit by the one goal margin, next week we travel to Dumbarton, a ground in recent times the team have found difficult, but this set of players are desperate to get their first league points on the board and will look to bounce back next week.

 

DANNY LENNON AFTER MORTON GAME

Once again I mentioned in my programme notes today, that there is a very fine margins in a game of football and that was certainly evident again today, disappointed to lose a goal, particularly  when we had addressed prior to the game and more so at half-time, I felt we didn’t deal with balls coming into the box, the amount of time the ball had to travel and that’s where you are asking players to take that responsibility and just go and attack the ball, I felt in the first half and again it was much of a game of two halves, there was a lot of pleasing things within us we were getting forward without having that cutting edge, but there is certainly a lot for us to work upon there, and we will certainly do that, we know what’s needing addressed and as I said it was very fine margins, to come here and put so much into the game today and to lose 1-0 its disappointing and I can see how hard this group of players has worked to earn the right to play in the Championship but to stay there is going to be harder work, so we need to stick together, regroup again, take our medicine, but overall pleased with a lot of the aspects  especially the first half performance, things we addressed at half-time but the second half, I am disappointed how we came out the traps and that sounds as though I am repeating myself, every week at this minute and that’s disappointing but we are where we are at this moment, but I certainly believe with the quality of players we have and the character of the players we have in that dressing room, that they do time and time again show me what they have got and the message today for them was do not just give me your best in patches we need it throughout the ninety minutes and that is what we have to gear ourselves up to.

When we were getting into good areas in the park in the first have and at times in the second half although Morton controlled and pinned us back more in the second half, the possession that we had especially in the first half there was some great sequences until we got into the final third, however in the second half we didn’t quite get going there and gave a lot of sloppy possession away which is uncharacteristic of us and we never got started, but in the first half up until the final ball or the final action  we did things well and gives us something to work on but collectively we will have to work on the positives today, we have not conceded a goal from open play, it was once again from a set play. What we have done is make sure we continue to be difficult to beat and thought we defended in good areas at times, disappointed at the amount of balls which did come into our box, particularly the early part of the game, what was evident there was if the first man didn’t get it, the second man was there to cover. I thought Kyle McAusland had a fantastic performance today, in possession and out of possession he was tucking round and the amount of clearances he had, but again that is disappointing that they were missed by the first defenders prior to that, there is a lot that has been highlighted but once again we have that frustration again tonight going home, that feeling at this moment of time, along with I can feel for the fans at this minute but what we do have to do is make sure we stick together and get back on that training ground on Tuesday, iron one or two wee things out and let’s see where it takes us into a very important game,   we have taken things from every game we have had, as we develop and learn the biggest thing at this moment is that we stick together and don’t get too frustrated and let that cloud our judgement and once again we become very ordinary when we don’t pass the ball well.
0 - 1
Full Time

Raith Rovers v Alloa Athletic

This was a game for large periods “The Wasps” played attractive football and they would have been disappointed not to have taken at least one of them in the first half, but goals change games. It was important for “The Wasps” not to conceed an early goal as they had done in past two league games, but it took a spectacular goal to open the scoring for the home side and five minutes later they scored the crucial second to take a hold in the game. The end result looks cruel on Danny Lennon’s side but they will know themselves it could have been so much different if they had scored the crucial opening goal.

 

DANNY LENNON AT STARKS PARK

If the half time whistle had been the full time whistle I would be a very happy chap at this time, but the two halves were a totally different contrast, a lot of pleasing stuff particularly in the first half, we looked compact, we defended as a team, we broke as a team, we passed the ball well and created good opportunities. Likewise did Raith Rovers, I thought it was quite an open and exciting game in the first half, but in the second half it took a wonderful goal, you can actually see as that ball goes in, the mentality then changed and we stopped doing all the good things which got us success in the first half and we went longer and more direct and that put pressure upon us that we got deeper and deeper and gave a quality Raith Rovers side time on the ball. It’s important that we once again learn from that, I think you can always learn in any defeat, but what we have to do is rise above that, sometimes you just have to hold your hand up and say what a wonderful strike that was, and you can do absolutely nothing about it, you can’t let a goal like that change your mentality, if we had continued to play in the manner we did in the first half we would have still caused Raith Rovers one or two problems, so it is very difficult, the second and third goal, one from a set play which always is bad to lose and the third one we drop runners, which again is very basic, although we were pleased with the first half performance, overall we have got to prove that we can do both sides of the game as well as we did in the first half for the full ninety minutes.

A lot of people have us down for finishing in the bottom of the table, so we are so far proving these people correct but we will certainly take that challenge and go out there and prove that’s not the case, I certainly believe we have a good balance and that was evident in our first half performance but what we have to do is bring these qualities for a full ninety minutes and we will then give ourselves a good platform but we need to make sure we do the basics right, we do not drop runners, very basic things have cost us severely. The goal gave Raith Rovers a massive lift and we have not had that the last couple of weeks, we need to make sure that the quality of chances that we did create especially in the first half we have to be ruthless in front of goal and ready to take these chances.

I saw a change in the mentality when the first goal went in and that was my message to the players, we needed to let the game settle down again before we lost the second goal so quickly thereafter. When the second goal goes in it became more difficult but if we had got one back we would have put them back on the back foot but losing the third it was game over.

The frustrating thing was when we were playing well we needed to get in front, we created good opportunities and had good possession but we failed to hit the net, what was pleasing is the way we created more clear cut chances that we did against Elgin City, but I want to stick with the positives as much as we have got to learn and we move forward, they are a hard working group of players , they will come in on Tuesday and they will give absolutely everything again but we have to make sure we play for the full ninety minutes. Points are important and that’s what keeps you in this league but I have asked the players to go home tonight and look at the good things we did in the game and learn from the mistakes and if they do that and show the same appetite and hunger and belief they will be ok and they will give every team in this league, perhaps outside Rangers, they will give every single team problems if they continue to play like they can and stick by it for the full ninety minutes.
3 - 0
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Rangers

A disappointing result against a hugely improved Rangers side, after going behind early in the game for the 2nd week, “The Wasps” roared back with a goal which would have not looked out of place at the top level of the game, Michael Chopra showing his great ability and desire to get back among the goals. The loss of the penalty, so soon after drawing level was a blow from which the visitors took get heart and increased their lead before half-time, with two more goals. To their credit the Alloa players never gave up but were limited to half chances, Aron Lynas unfortunate not being able to connect, as the ball slipped agonisingly past him.

 

DANNY LENNON AFTER RANGERS GAME

It has been a very difficult start from us, we have met two of the teams who competed in last season’s play off’s in the two opening SPFL Championship games of the season, what we have seen is in those two games we haven’t given ourselves the best opportunities in starting the games conceding very early in both games but what we have done is we have responded fantastically and got ourselves back in the game today with a fantastic goal, Michael shows the qualities why we all love him, but what we failed to do after that was give ourselves any opportunity to build on this and get back into the game by then losing a penalty kick, so that was very disappointing against a very much improving quality Rangers side, I thought they then dictated the game in terms of good quality possession they were then able to negate anything we tried to create through our creative players by pinning our players back into areas we did not want them to be and stopped us being a threat going forward. What we have to do is be prepared to go back and do the ugly side of the game when required, Rangers did that and we need to learn from that. We need to stop runs, stop balls from coming into the box and we need to defend the box better that’s where we are at this moment in time. In the second half we did set up differently, flattening out and we went for damage limitation because I feared for the way the game was going and Rangers were playing and we really could have been on the end of a heavier defeat, even worse than what it was, that was important.

I always believe when I have to do that, I am taking away the qualities and the belief I have in my group of players and as I said last week – we are part-time and every night that we do have the players in they do give their utmost in terms of being at their full-time job then having to come in, they do absolutely everything to do their best and I admire them for that, but we need to take that from the training and make it count in every single game.

We now move on to the Elgin City Petrofac Cup tie and Elgin City have started the season particularly well and what we have to do is get over the disappointment of the Rangers game very quickly and learn what it is going to take to compete in this league. Rangers gave a top drawer all round performance, how quickly they moved the ball but what really impressed me the most about them today was when they were without possession of the ball how quickly they worked collectively to get it back and if we can take anything from that , that is something I would like us to learn from.

We will look to get our season kick started against Elgin City, I have spoken about the difficult start we have had to the season but we know there is room for improvement and once again the players are honest enough and we have had a good honest open discussion so everyone knows where we stand and like anything they are brought to this football club with the qualities and ability which they have but they need to fit into the system that I am looking for at the club and the quicker they believe that ,then the quicker we can kick start the season.
1 - 5
Full Time

Queen of the South v Alloa Athletic

The Wasps paid the price at Dumfries on Saturday after the home side, Queen of the South took an early lead which gave the home side a great start in a game their twin strikers Derek Lyle & Iain Russell were both on fire. The Alloa players will be disappointed in the goals they lost, but they can be pleased at the chances they created, but on the day the difference was the finishing. Kyle McAusland, Mikk Reintam, Michael Duffy and Geoff Mitchell all had good opportunities in the first half. Michael Chopra made a welcome return, coming on at the start of the second half and he was immediately involved in helping create Iain Flannigan’s goal, his third in two games. With Rangers assistant manager, Davie Weir, watching from the stand, there will be tough challenges ahead, but to their credit “The Wasps” never gave in and ended the game on the attack and will look forward now to Sunday’s Live TV game against Rangers at the Indodrill Stadium for their first home game of the new season.

 

DANNY LENNON AT DUMFRIES

Firstly, I have to say that I deeply admire and am very proud of the players in my dressing room. We are part time club in a full time league and these guys go to their work everyday from 9 until 5 or longer then they have to come and train twice a week as well. They give me absolutely everything they have and are as honest as the day is long. For us to then go to Queens and lose the goals that we did, was very uncharacteristic of us. The three goals were very poor ones from our point of view and at 3-0 down it looks like we are getting a doing, but we actually created more chances than them in the first half. I can’t take anything away from Queens overall though because they deserved their win over the piece. It is still disappointing to lose in the manner we did, but it is a learning curve for us, basic errors have cost us and we must learn quickly from those. I got a great reaction in the second half and I will ask for the same this coming week. I have to give big plaudits to Queens and especially Derek Lyle. If there are any young boys watching the Championship and aspiring to learn the game then I suggest they watch him. He gives you everything, has pace, links the play well and scores goals and I thought he was excellent. He uses his intelligence against Dougie [Hill] for the first goal, and maybe it could have been a foul, but we have to be stronger in those scenarios. In the second half, we had a great start and brilliant reaction from all the lads. We got the goal back from Flannigan and had a lot of the ball in and around their box, but our efforts on goal fizzled out. We must collectively learn from the mistakes because we win and lose as a team. We will dust ourselves down and be ready to go on Sunday.
3 - 1
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Forfar Athletic

Congratulations to “The Wasps” on winning the 2014/15 Championship play Off Final to secure their third successive season in the Championship, a historic achievement for the club.

 

DANNY LENNON ON SECURING CHAMPIONSHIP STATUS

It was all about having that belief and hard work there was no substitute for that today, I thought they were all terrific, it wasn’t only about the last six weeks, it was also about the great foundations and the good quality players that Barry Smith & Paddy Connolly have worked with throughout and every manager and coach has different ideas on how the game should be played and you try and get the best out of them, listen this has been a collective effort and Barry Smith deserves a great bit of credit for the hard work that he has put in and getting this team together. It is absolutely fantastic for the club to stay in the Championship, part of my team talk today was about how the players could become heroes, because no other Alloa Athletic team has been in the Championship for three successive seasons and now this group of players have achieved that, so it is absolutely terrific they should be bursting with joy and pride tonight. This is right up there with any of my other achievements, it doesn’t matter if you are surviving to stay in the Premier league, or winning League Cup finals, this is up there among everything I have achieved in the game.

I was just saying to the guys there when they were doing the wee song “Were staying up” – that’s a new one to me, I don’t know that one, can you teach me the words to that song? On watching the game on the TV coming back down on the coach from Forfar on Wednesday night and although we were always behind in the first game I always felt comfortable and confident and I knew we would come and create opportunities today, an absolutely fantastic team effort , what a send off for Daryll Meggatt.

I am absolutely delighted for him, he has played so many games for the club, coming through the ranks at Alloa and leaves after a fantastic performance and we wish him every success in his new position at Dundee , his tackle was almost as good as his goal, the tackle was equally as important, listen he has frustrated me at times in terms of trying to get him out on the pitch match fit, we just narrowly missed out with him on Wednesday evening and we had to put him on the bench as a precaution , but today absolutely top drawer.

It is not an afternoon for singling anyone out but it just the fact that this was his last game and he now leaves the club on a high. The is a fantastic achievement not just for the players and the staff but also for the directors and particularly the chairman, Mike Mulraney, who puts everything into this football club and everyone together have created a fantastic memory. We had used all our subs and were down to ten men as extra time loomed, but sometimes you need a bit of luck for the hard work over the season, I have only been here for six weeks now but the group of players have been absolutely a pleasure and privilege to work with and coach, they are so honest and sincere – today we certainly had the belief, work rate and there is no substitute for either of those. I have actually made a conscious decision, since I came in the door I have not looked at any salaries, any budgets , but I will need to sit down now, knowing where we will be playing next season and if there was anything throughout this season in how a team has done it the hard way to stay up it is certainly been proof in the pudding today but absolutely terrific and delighted to get over that finishing line.
3 - 0
Full Time

Forfar Athletic v Alloa Athletic

The Play-Off Final 1st Leg at Station Park, saw Forfar Athletic take advantage of bad errors by “The Wasps” on the evening. The Wasps had clawed themselves back into the tie after going 2-0 behind. Eight minutes from time Mark Docherty swung over a good cross and Kyle Benedictus powered a header past home keeper, Rab Douglas. However two minutes into time added on, Forfar regained their two goal advantage when Michael Travis glanced in Gavin Malin’s cross to give Dick Campbell’s side a lead to take to the Indodrill Stadium on Sunday for the second leg of the play off. While disappointed to lose such a late goal, this tie is far from over and “The Wasps” know what will be required to stay in the Championship in the second leg.

 

dANNY LENNON AT FORFAR

I felt that there was a very fine balance in terms of opportunities created by both teams tonight, but Forfar have certainly done, is that they have capitalised on big mistakes from us, which is disappointing in the manner in which we have lost those goals, but the positive thing for us and certainly by no means is the tie over. I thought it was a great game played in a that type of spirit tonight you could certainly feel that. What we have done since my arrival at the club we have managed 3-0 victories in games against Cowdenbeath and Dumbarton, so we certainly do create and I think you saw that here tonight. In terms of the balance of play tonight I thought it was quite an even game and the difference is that Forfar capitalised on big mistakes from us. Losing an early goal set us back, big “Gibby” has been absolutely tremendous since I have come into the club, in his own admission, it was not his best game tonight, but in terms of that, it is important that we win together and lose together but the big man has been absolutely tremendous and he will pick himself up, he has the right character to bounce back from that, but I thought we got a good response after they scored, I thought we were causing one or two problems, we were going in beyond them, I would certainly like to see Liam Buchanan’s disallowed goal again, for any infringement? We then conceded against the run of play to go down 2-0, then a minute later Michael Chopra had a fantastic opportunity, and again a player  of his quality, I thought he was outstanding tonight, I thought a player of his standard should be making big Rab Douglas work harder than he did, but Chopra  was terrific tonight, I thought we played with a good tempo throughout the game, when we did the basic things, passing the ball and our movement, when we played it simple and effectively and done it with a purpose, we were good, where we can cause ourselves problems is when we stop the ball, delay and look for something a lot better than what it is and this beautiful game doesn’t need to be difficult all you ask them to do is go out and play the game, what you see, keep the ball moving, keep up the tempo. I thought we looked the stronger team throughout the final twenty minutes of the game and credit to Forfar they still looked dangerous on the break, we were possibly a little open when they broke away which is disappointing, we sent the two big lads up hoping to get something which is fine, but we left a one v. One situation at the back and I tried to scream, that is what you are asking the players to recognise. 2-1 was not a bad result, 3-1 makes it a little more difficult but certainly a result which we feel we can overturn. We had to rearrange things tonight due to injuries and the terms of the demands of the games recently, but hopefully Daryll Meggatt could be back for Sunday, the few days rest will give him good recovery, and we will see how Michael Doyle does, I thought  Stevie Hetherington coming in tonight for the first time at left back, I thought he put on an excellent show.
3 - 1
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Brechin City

 

danny lennon after reaching final

We are absolutely thrilled to get to the final, but it certainly was not pleasing the manner in the way we got over the line today and neither are the players to be fair to them, but we must give a great deal of credit to Brechin City, knowing that they would throw absolutely everything at us today and they certainly did that but we done enough to get through which was most important. We certainly didn’t set our stall out to defend  we just want to go out and play our natural game, as I feel when you are holding on to something players start to play within themselves there not used to that situation but all credit to Brechin City, sometimes you have to give the opposition credit, but for the first half hour I thought we were ok, we were playing some ok football but as the game went on a little bit of nerves, a little bit of fear, started to come into our game and I now hope all those fears are now beyond us. I took of Michael Chopra at half-time because I thought we needed a bit more energy in the middle of the pitch which Brechin were dominating with the shape that they had in there, over running Docherty and McCord in there, it was purely a tactical decision to try and get more energy in that area and also a get more quicker support to Liam Buchanan. John Gibson was fantastic, but that’s what goalkeepers are there for, he has been tremendous but as I have said a great deal of credit to Ray McKinnon and his players, we knew they would come knowing they had absolutely nothing to lose, but for our point of view overall the decisions we made today, the amount of time we wanted on the ball – listen the play-offs and come into these games so quickly after competing in a very competitive league plus being part-time it is demanding on these players we have to take that in to account as well but all our focus and attention now is on our recovery and preparation for two very important games against Forfar Athletic. We go into the match in good form, we are on a good run of form, it was the performance I wasn’t happy about today but over the two legs that is what is was about, prior to today’s game I had stressed it was only half-time but we have managed over the two legs to win the tie, disappointed in our level of performance today and  going into the final we will see two teams going into the game in good form and we hope it’s a good final over the two legs for both sets of fans. It looks as if Michael Doyle pulled his hamstring early in today’s match so I had to change the pack a little bit but it was a wonderful opportunity for young David Ferguson coming in there, so playing in a game like that a such a young age and what’s at stake certainly holds him in good stead for the future, a great experience for him.
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