Competition: Championship

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.
0 - 1
Full Time

Brechin City v Alloa Athletic

“The Wasps” recorded a 2-0 victory at Glebe Park against Ray McKinnon’s Brechin City side in the 1st Leg of the SPFL Championship Semi-final play off match. This indeed was the same score line they recorded in Season 2012/13 at the same stage of the play offs at Glebe Park in the 1st Leg. However, it is only half-time in the tie, but we are in a strong position. Michael Chopra, for the second game running opened the scoring and Kyle Benedictus scoring a last minute goal, his first for the club, a scoreline which was merited on the evening.

 

danny lennon at glebe park

Its only half-time and there is still a long way to go, we certainly applied ourselves very well, I thought with it being a tight pitch up here and a lot of rain had fallen recently, it was slippy tonight so after about 25 / 30 minutes that we adapted to the circumstances, but I can’t stress enough it is only half-time and we have given ourselves something, a good starter for Saturday, but that is all. We certainly faced a team tonight in Brechin City, that can cause teams problems, we handled that tonight but we have to be aware of where there threats come from. There is no doubt Michael Chopra he has ability, but it is just that matter of his match fitness, he is working incredibly hard in training, during the games and on his own, but you can certainly see the quality the boy processes and that certainly shines through, but for me tonight I thought all the way through it was a fantastic team performance with a lot of attempts at goal and to get two goals from that and another clean sheet, so it is very good and positive for ourselves in terms of going into the second leg on Saturday.
0 - 2
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Cowdenbeath

 

danny lennon after defeating cowdenbeath

We went out today and did absolutely everything that we had to do and we did it in abundance in every single department, I thought we were excellent from start to finish, so delighted we still have our own destiny, and our own future in our hands and as I have already said I thought we were different class today, the amount of opportunities we created, the way we defended, getting bodies on the line and it was an absolute all round terrific performance, taking care of our own house and keeping that in order and what you have to do is give a great deal of credit to Livingston who have been on a fantastic run of form and so congratulations to them, our focus and attention now and preparation turns to Wednesday night against Brechin City and we will prepare for that game in the same manner in the way that we did today. I was only aware of the Livingston result with probably about two minutes to go, but I think our own fans would have let us know and actually when I heard the Cowdenbeath fans having a wee disgruntle that sort of gave me an indication of things elsewhere. My heart goes out to Cowdenbeath, as one of my former clubs I have a great deal of respect for them and I really feel for them because I have some wonderful friends associated with the club. Today’s performance gives us great heart going into the Play-Off’s  and should help fuel our confidence by defeating Cowdenbeath and scoring three fantastic goals, a clean sheet to add to that and a clean bill of health as well and going into a very important game on Wednesday, the first leg away, and then back here on Saturday, as I said we are absolutely delighted to hold the cards in where our future lies. The second goal came about with a good quality ball into the box, it was a fantastic delivery and we had bodies in the box and Ben Gordon put his body on the line today and I thought he was a big influence in both boxes so for my point of view I hope he gets credited with the goal.
3 - 0
Full Time

Hibernian v Alloa Athletic

“The Wasps” will go into a final day decider next Saturday, with only one point separating Cowdenbeath, Alloa Athletic and Livingston. Having looked at the fixtures earlier in the season this was always a possible scenario. Danny Lennon’s side will know their fate is still in their own hands as victory at home against Cowdenbeath would at least guarantee a Play Off spot, while Livingston will be at home to Queen of the South, a result all Alloa Athletic fans will be listening in to. It was always going to be a big ask to take something from Easter Road against Hibernian in a game the home side needed to win to try and move into second place in the league on Saturday. On the day Hibernian deserved their victory, however “The Wasps” will look to bounce back on Saturday against Cowdenbeath, Kick-off 12.15pm.

 

danny lennon at easter road

Disappointing for us in terms of the fact we failed to show the qualities we have shown and the intensity we have played in our last two games where we really came out and showed what we could do, that certainly wasn’t evident in the first half but we addressed that at half time and in the second half we certainly showed a bit more of what we are capable of and started to get in about them and caused them one or two problems in the second half, by having a wee bit more bravery on the ball, but at the end of the day we have come here and certainly faced a Hibernian side firing on all cylinders, who certainly put in a five star performance.

It now comes down to next week, which makes next week’s game against Cowdenbeath massive in this mini league between ourselves, Cowdenbeath and Livingston, and I always said there would be a few twists and turns every single week and once again there were a few turns within that and now only one point separating each of the teams, so we have everything to play for and once again everything in terms of if we bring the qualities that we know we have, we have every opportunity and chance of playing in this very competitive league next season. Everyone of  the three teams now know their fate is in our their own hands and that’s all you can do, I certainly know what we need to do and we will be looking next week to get the level of performance which we showed against Dumbarton and Queen of the South again next week, if we get that we will give ourselves a great chance of picking up the points.

On the injury front, Stephen Simmons has been out for a number of weeks, Daryll Meggatt has probably the better chance of making next week’s game, at this stage of the season teams are starting to pick up one or two injuries and suspensions which kick in but I have been very pleased with the last couple of weeks in terms of coming into the club and the application I am seeing, today is the first time I have been disappointed in the team, especially in the first forty five minutes because they have shown throughout the last two / three weeks qualities which they have in wanting to be on the ball and playing with great intensity but coming here today, I take nothing away from Hibernian who put in a five star performance, we have met them on a good day.

However all I am interested in now is our own destiny, like the players in the dressing room, we all want to stay in this league and we want to look up at the end of the season and say we have earned the right to play in the Championship and we are good enough to play in this division and we know what we have to do to make the dream come true.
4 - 1
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Queen of the South

Alloa Athletic and Queen of the South produced an excellent advert for the Championship yesterday, both teams looking to collect all three points for differing reasons. Ben Gordon headed “The Wasps” in front after 39 minutes, his second goal of the season. However Queen’s started the 2nd half brightly and were awarded a penalty, when the dangerous Danny Carmichael was adjudged to have been fouled in the box. Their top goal scorer Derek Lyle converted for his 19th goal of the season. Two minutes later the game had turned on its head when Mark Millar put the visitors in front. There were chances at both ends being created and it was no surprise to see “The Wasps” top goal scorer Liam Buchanan turn QOS defender Mark Durnan inside out both drilling his shot low into the bottom corner of the net for his 15th goal of the season. The team now have two games remaining this season and know their destiny is still in their own hands, on this display they again showed just how good a Championship side they can be and will go into the final matches in good form now unbeaten in their last two matches and scoring five goals.

 

danny lennon after qos draw

It was a decent game, it was very competitive with both teams going hammer & tong for different reasons, we find our self in the bottom section , a mini league between ourselves Cowdenbeath & Livingston, it’s exciting, I think there is now only one point which separates us from Cowdenbeath and three from Livingston with only four points between all three clubs – so with two games to go for us and Cowdenbeath & Livingston having three, we have everything to play for, I spoke to the players about it being a sprint race now and we are all trying to bust a gut to get over that line and the team which will succeed will be the team who collect the most points over the next games and they will then have the right to play in the Championship League.

There were certainly aspects of the game I was pleased at but there were also things which I wasn’t as pleased, we took the lead with a fine goal and I was delighted with that because the boys had worked hard at set pieces this week, but to come in at half-time and indentify one or two wee things, then see the same things happen in the second half, especially in the first ten minutes has punished us, although Queen of the South are a good quality side and play with high intensity and a team which certainly plays on the counter attack.

I thought the goals we lost were a lot to do with our own downfall but the reaction we got, showed I have the quality and character in that dressing room and with hopefully only 180 minutes of league football to play this season  it’s going to be the team who earn the most points from the final games who will stay in the Championship and the good thing is now we go and win our two games, it’s in our own hands we are not having to rely on anybody the only things we are relying on is one another.
2 - 2
Full Time