Competition: Championship

Alloa Athletic v Cowdenbeath

This is a game “The Wasps” will look back knowing they never really got going, Cowdenbeath were a far better side than we had met at Central Park earlier in the season and could have been a couple of goals ahead by half-time, Kyle Miller missing after been clean through on goal. “The Wasps” started the second half far better but had not cutting edge to their play, then during Alloa’s best spell of the game Cowdenbeath scored a goal out of the blue, Kane Hemmings scoring his 16th goal of the season. Alloa might have taken a point from the game, Graeme Holmes was brought down in the box by John Armstrong, but the ball broke to Ryan McCord who fired home and looked to have equalised, however the standside linesman raised his flag and the goal was chalked off. Later in the game Eddie Ferns headed over in Alloa’s last effort on goal.

 

paul hartley after defeat by cowdenbeath

The better team won today, in terms of chances they had, we were way off it in terms of the standard we have set over the season, that is the worst we have played all season, we didn’t get going today, I couldn’t put my finger on it, we were really flat, we had no energy and no intention about our play. We had a chance to go third in the table today, which I had said to the players before the start of today’s game, a real incentive to get into that top four and get ourselves up there – but we didn’t perform, we had too many players below par, we had one star performer and that was the goalkeeper but in terms of the rest them, we need to do better and I now have to pick a team for next week to compete down at Dumfries against Queen of the South. I was disappointed in the disallowed goal, it was their defender who played it back, but it is the way it goes sometimes in football. If we had got a point today I would have been pleased but I thought in how they played and on goal chances they were by far the better team. It is always a concern when you are not scoring goals, especially at home, we have been really good defensively but in terms of at the other end of the park we do not have somebody who scores 15 or 20 goals a season and they are hard to come by, but we are trying our best and I’m trying to get a couple of players in before the next week or so, we must keep at it, goal scorers everybody wants them but I will try my best to get a couple in during this transfer window.
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Falkirk v Alloa Athletic

Alloa Athletic ended 2013 with an excellent display at the New Falkirk Stadium, their first competitive game at the new stadium since last playing “The Bairns” in a league match at Falkirk in Season 2002/03. Although the game ended 0-0, the same score as our clash earlier in the season at Recreation Park, both teams could have won the game, Falkirk being the home tie had the bulk of the possession but Alloa Athletic could claim to having the more clear cut chances on the day, hitting the home side on the break and could have snatched all three points in the second half when Kevin Cawley and substitute Declan McManus had great chances to win the match. However the final chance of the game fell to Falkirk substitute Phil Roberts who unleashed a powerful shot which Scott Bain dived to save and pick up his 13th shut out of the season, a statstic which cannot be overlooked.

 

paul hartley after draw at falkirk

I thought in terms of our second half performance, the way that the team played, I thought they were outstanding, in their shape and organisation and will no to get beaten and we counter attacked really well, we had four or five good situations where we could possibly done better but in terms of coming here, which is difficult, we said that before the game, we tried to keep the crowd quiet and I think we did that and they were getting frustrated – we had a game plan and it worked. I think when you go away from home you are always going to be under the cosh and we knew we would be under pressure for large periods of the game, we definitely play a different way away from home than we do at home, we are more of a counter attacking team away from home and we usually play two up top but when you are playing teams at the top of the division we have to adapt, we are solid and don’t lose many goals and we try and hit teams on the counter, breaking in numbers which we did successfully today.

Scott Bain again delivered again today with some good saves, but I thought the back four were good, I thought the team were good, in their style of play not wanting to get beaten, making last ditch tackles when required which was evident in the second half but we had great chances when we countered and we could have had a couple of goals today, with a wee bit more composure in the final third of the park.

Michael Doyle stepped into central defence today, and did a great job, we were really low on numbers today, with only 15 players, two or three of them  with niggling injuries so we were down to the bare bones, we had a call off this morning from Stephen Simmons and Ben Gordon suspended so we were really low in numbers, but the effort from the players and the guys that came in were outstanding. That was or fourteenth clean sheet of the season and if you get clean sheets you do not lose games It’s an old saying but we have a really strong foundation there in terms of how we work, but it’s all credit to the players and their application.
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Alloa Athletic v Dundee

Dundee for the third time this season managed to edge out Alloa Athletic by a 1-0 scoreline, both previous games had been settled by a penalty, the penalty at Dens in the final minute of the game, while on this occasion they soaked up Alloa Athletic constant pressure in the second half and hit them on the break, against the run of play. The result again puts John Brown’s team top of the league and yesterday’s result was a game in which they punished Alloa for not taking their chances and in Peter MacDonald have a striker who netted his 14th goal of the season. The nearest “The Wasps” came to scoring was a minute from the break when Andy Kirk’s effort, was correctly ruled offside. In the 2nd half Liam Caddis had a shot which was parried, Daryll Meggatt followed up and in the goal mouth melee Andy Kirk could not knock home. Later in the game Ben Gordon’s powerful shot was turned round the post but for all their effort in a game Alloa had a real go, it was Dundee who collected all three points.

 

paul hartley after dundee at home

Disappointed not to take anything from the game, in terms of the second half performance, I thought we were excellent, we were really on the front foot, we had a right go at them and it was another game in which a single goal decides the game but in terms of the way the players played I was really pleased with their effort and application. I thought in the second half we started really well and created some good opportunities and I thought we looked a real threat at times and one sort of mistake costs us for them to get in and score but in terms of game I thought we were excellent against the team which is top of the league, I didn’t think there was much between the two sides. In terms of the second half there is no doubt Alloa Athletic created the better chances, I was really pleased the way things worked and I felt we competed well against Dundee, they are a strong and experienced side but I think I have to give my players credit in the way they play week in and week out, I was delighted with them. Liam Caddis came in and did very well, he was very good and looked composed on the ball and took the game well he looks to be an asset for us. Next weeks game against Falkirk will be equally tough, the games keep coming at this time of the year, they are all hard games, but we go into the game full of confidence and have a game plan to win the game.
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Alloa Athletic v Greenock Morton

Another three valuable points gathered in a game which Morton would have been lifted by the bringing in of their new manager Kenny Shiels, the game was played in dreadful conditions and was a credit to both teams and their supporters who braved the conditions. Not a game in which was conclusive to silky football but both teams battled against the wind and driving rain. Michael Doyle’s cross struck the cross bar but the ball would not come down for Andy Kirk, Kirk then had an effort ruled offside before he eventually got on the scoresheet three minutes before half-time after Kevin Cawley’s initial shot had been paried by Caraux. Morton had lots of possession but never posed a ny threat in front of goal, indeed Scott Bain never had a save to make in the game. Paul Hartley introduced substitutes Eddie Ferns and Declan McManus and both helped extend “The Wasps” lead, first Eddie Ferns broke clear but pulled his shot wide and then six minutes from the end he sped down the wing and crossed for Declan McManus to score his first goal for the club since coming on loan from Aberdeen. In the closing two minutes Paul Hartley introduced 17 year old Ryan Gemmell to give him a well earned first team debut.

 

paul hartley after morton victory

It was a game played in difficult conditions, but in terms of the players attitude and work ethic, I thought they were tremendous, it was another clean sheet for us, we have sort of based ourselves on that this year. We knew it would be a tough game for us today, with the new manager coming in, which would give their players a lift, but we showed a good mental side about us today, in a game we scored two good goals. We are doing ok, we are nearly half way through the season and we have a good points tally but we need to keep it going, we have a tough run of games coming up, there is no doubt we are punching above our weight but the players deserve where they are, because of their performances and the way they go about their business. Good for Declan to get a goal, he has been working hard during a frustrating time so it was pleasing to see him get his goal, it was a good finish, I thought both substitutions made a good impact on the game when they came on, in terms of trying to get us up the park and get in behind their defence. It was difficult in the second half playing with a wind directly in our faces but the players concentration levels were really high, our keeper didn’t have a lot to do but we defended our box pretty well. We are looking forward to each game just now, next Saturday it will be Dundee,we do not fear them, they will bring a big crowd, it is a game the players are really looking forward to, we always tend to do better against the bigger clubs in our league. I introduced young Ryan Gemmell before the end of the game, he is only 16, what we have seen of him this year, potentially he is going to be another great prospect, he has a real opportunity, he has a tremendous footballing brain, he is another one of the youths we are trying to blood and I thought today was the time to give him a start.
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Hamilton Academical v Alloa Athletic

“The Wasps” completed a great double over league leaders Hamilton Accies by defeating them 1-0 home and away this season, this was “The Wasps” first win in the league at New Douglas Park since a 4-3 victory in October, 2003. Manager Paul Hartley made changes to his side for the teams third game within a week. Hamilton Accies playing at home had most possesion but the Alloa defence looked resolute and when the opportunity arose the visitors caused problems going close on the break. The winning goal was straight from the training ground, Michael Doyle did great to win a corner in the opening minute of the second half and Ryan McCord found Daryll Meggatt at space at the back post to head home his first goal for the club. Alloa indeed had chances to increase their lead when Willie Robertson and Eddie Ferns went close.

 

paul hartley after victory over leaders

Today’s game was a totally different game, in the way that I set out my team, we changed our system and it was sort of sprung on my players, but in terms of what my players gave me – they were outstanding, we came here to frustrate Hamilton Accies and might have even scored a couple of more goals on the counter attack. It was our third hard game in a week and my players are not used to that, so we changed the personnel and I thought they were absolutely outstanding. Scott Bain made a couple of outstanding saves but we have come to expect that of Scott, he is the outstanding young goalkeeper in Scotland and I keep saying that, I don’t think he will be with us too long but we want to enjoy his benefit when he is still with us, it just shows you his levels of concentration when he has to make a vital save. I thought the full team were great, the players who came in Darren Young and Willie Robertson but in Kevin Cawley he was brilliant all over the park, in terms of the way he has taken his game to a new level – we are doing ok. It was a tough shift for him, alone up front until we could get players forward to support him, and even in the second half when he came deeper, he has a great work ethic about him, he never complains or moans, we give him a job and he goes and does it, but all my players have a great work ethic about themselves and we showed good quality also in scoring the goal. We are doing ok, we keep saying that we are trying to accumulate as many points as we can, just now we are in a tough run of fixtures with Morton, Dundee and Falkirk in our next three games. The players deserve the credit, when we put a team out, we pick a team which we think will win the game and they did that today.

It was a very good goal with Michael Doyle brilliant in the build-up play around the goal, great unselfish running which was required today because we knew Hamilton would have most possession of the ball. We had worked at the corner in training, it was another different set piece because I knew Hamilton Accies had been watching and videoed some of our set pieces, it was a free header at the back post, so pleased for Daryll he deserved it. It was a great result for our fans, they pay good money and travel all over the county to watch their favourites albeit a small band, we know we do not have the biggest support in the world but we have given them something to cheer about but the players deserve all the credit.
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Dumbarton v Alloa Athletic

Paul Hartley’s team extended their current unbeaten run to five games after a 1-1 draw at the Bet Fred Stadium, Dumbarton in a game rescheduled from 23rd November after the original fell foul to frost. This time the game went ahead in a gale force wind and driving rain which made the game at times a bit of a lottery. Dumbarton included five ex Wasps players in their team line up – Jamie Ewings, Mark Gilhaney, Bryan Prunty, Mitch Megginson and Colin Nish, managed by another ex player, Ian Murray who also had a short spell on loan from Hibernian at Recreation Park. Alloa had the benefit of the strong wind in the first half and took the lead after 24 minutes when Kevin Cawley expertly curled his shot into the top right hand corner of the net. In the second half Dumbarton had the bulk of possesion, but “The Wasps” still had opportunities to extend their lead. Andy Kirk did have the ball in the net but Graeme Holmes was flagged offside and then Stephen Simmons watched as his 20 yard shot rebounded to safety off the post. In the end it took a special goal from ex Wasp Bryan Prunty to earn his side a draw, scoring with an overhead kick and celebrating with his son, who was a ballboy behind the goals.

 

paul hartley after draw at dumbarton

I thought we defended well in tough conditions tonight, it was not a game for the faint hearted in terms of the wind and the rain, however I thought we stuck at our task and took the lead with a really good goal from Kevin Cawley and defended really well as a team with good shape about us, we could have nicked the three points but we lost a goal after a mistake from our goalkeeper’s bad kick out, but there was still a lot of work to do for them to score– but on the evening we will take a point. In the first half we might have been more ahead we had a couple of chances, hit the post also in the second half before Dumbarton scored which would have made it 2-0, we soaked up pressure and hit them on the counter attack, that was the plan we had – but in terms of how the players performed, their work ethic and their attitude to the game, we did well, but again on Saturday will have another tough game when we face league leaders Hamilton Accies in a run of difficult games coming up for us. It was another point tonight which moved us towards safety, although we are one point of the play off positions our remit at the start of the season was to stay in the league first and foremost and we have done ok so far but there is a long way to go, we are only 14 games into a long season, however we know we are a match for anybody on our day.

The Scottish Cup tie against Dumbarton in February will be a totally different game, it is a one off game,we are hoping the weather will be a bit better cause that spoiled things a bit tonight, the pitch was good it was in great condition but the wind and rain at times didn’t help both teams play football. Kevin Cawley has been good all season in his work ethic, it was a good goal this evening a great finish, I’m pleased for the wee fella, he has some attitude to the game and maybe doesn’t get 15-20 goals a season but he has everything else in his locker and is still improving. He was a kid a Celtic when I was there but his game is still getting better and better, each time we have moved up a division, Kevin has handled the step up and I definitely think he can handle the step up again.
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Alloa Athletic v Raith Rovers

Striker Andy Kirk helped manager Paul Hartley celebrate his 100th competitive game for “The Wasps” in style, the experienced striker netting the only goal of the game. The 1st in this game always looked to be important and thats how it ended up, both sides had opportunities in the first half but Andy Kirk’s goal just after the hour mark won the game and earned him the “Man of the match” award. The Wasps might have increased their lead on the break in the 2nd half but were happy to win the points and move into 4th place in the division.

 

paul hartley after victory over raith rovers

It was a great way to celebrate my 100th milestone, by gaining another three great points, I thought the players worked hard and deserved it the way they went about their business, we didn’t want to lose a goal, players throwing their bodies on the line when they had to, we defended really well as a team earning us another clean sheet, so it was a great result. We had good chances, especially on the counter attack today from the wider areas, we worked on this at training all week to exploit their weaknesses and we tried to do that. Andy Kirk had the one real chance and he took it so well, it was a great finish from him. We know we have a keeper and back four who have kept a few clean sheets this year. The result moves us up to fourth in the table, we’ve started well but there is a long way to go, we need to keep it going.  The big thing for us is to stay in this league but the boys can be pleased with what they have done so far, their spirits excellent.

I know my name has been linked with the Inverness job, but another ten managers have also been linked, all I can say is we must be doing something right! – I’m enjoying it here and I’m enjoying working with the players here, I have had no contact from them, I go about my business,  I don’t talk to the press about being involved for jobs, so I need to keep it going here and see what happens.

Derek Riordan was at the game today but he still has a long way to go in terms of his condition, but he is a player I would definitely be interested in because he is a player of real quality, I have seen that in the few training sessions we have had, so he knows how we work and what we do, who knows what can happen. The one thing for Derek just now is he is not playing, he is still a young man at 30 years old – he should be playing football, so we have given him the opportunity to get in a good level of condition, I think the boy just wants to play now, but he needs to get himself proper first, but just now he is unfit to play, so we will give him every opportunity, we have given him the facilities but it is up to him. He needs to work hard, he has not been involved in match action, he is doing his own stuff but it is not the same – I think he is a good 4 – 6 weeks away, but it is up to him if he wants to work hard and if he wants it.

I thought our two centre backs coped very well today, we had a few players out there who could have come back and haunt us, but we knew their threat and I think we coped very well. Our experienced players played a big part, Stephen Simmons  controlled in front of the back four and Andy Kirk scored the winning goal, I was pleased, delighted.
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Cowdenbeath v Alloa Athletic

The Wasps defeated Cowdenbeath 2-0 at Central Park on Saturday, it was a great team performance in which striker Andy Kirk headed in the second goal, after Kevin Cawley had earlier opened the scoring, however Andy might have had a hat-trick in the game, after being denied two goals which were chalked off after the officials flagged for offside. Cowdenbeath looked to have been given a life line at the start of the second half when Scott Bain fouled substitute Marc McKenzie, but he redeemed himself saving the penalty.

 

paul hartley at central park

Really good performance, solid, thought we had good quality, thought we deserved the win, there only looked one winning team today, it was a big game for us and I had stressed that to the players. Some of our play was really good our attacking was good, defending, when required was also good, we changed things a bit today, we tweaked it but overall we were the better team. I brought Jonathan Tiffoney into the team today and he was immense, he has played in that role before, his energy in the middle of the park, adding quality, linking up with the right side of the play, he had a great game today, I had been stressing to get better delivery in the final quarter of the park and we saw that. Pleased for Andy Kirk it was good for him to get a goal but overall a great team performance, with good individual performances also. I think the score line could have been even more, but it could also have changed when they missed the penalty, that could have changed the game. Scott made a bad mistake, he was poor there and that’s not often I would say that but he redeemed himself with the penalty save so pleased with that but overall pleased with the performance because this is a tough venue to come and win, there is teams who have been beaten here likes of Morton going down 5-1 in the last home game, it was nice to get the three points. It was nice to get that bit gap again the way the other results turned out, we are trying to push the teams above us and trying to catch them – we had a pretty decent start to the season, I have to give the players credit their attitude is fantastic, I’ve got a good set of playing in the dressing room.

Derek Riordan is in training, I spoke to him last week, I had tried to bring him in at the start of the season but he had a couple of other options at that time but they haven’t worked out, but he hasn’t played for a year, so the condition he is in in terms of fitness is way behind, but I would be interested in him because he has great quality, we can see that already at training in the past week and it has given other players a lift in the dressing room seeing him training at the club, it is that we can try and attract his type of player at Alloa Athletic an ex International player but we will just have to wait and see in terms of his fitness he is way behind but it is something we will try and work on with him, and not sure if we could play him as a “trialist” in this league I don’t know the rules if they would allow this to play a “trialist” in the Championship there might be a problem so we will just need to see where it takes us in the next couple of weeks – can we get him fit, if we could he would be a fantastic addition to the squad
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Alloa Athletic v Queen of the South

Ex Wasp, Iain Russell returned to Recreation Park and scored two goals for Queen of the South in their 3-0 victory over “The Wasps”. The first goal in games is so important and having started reasonably well in the game Paul Hartley’s side could not find the opening goal. The opening goal gave Queen’s a lift and helped their confidence having started the game second bottom of the league. Alloa fought back into the game but lost a bad second goal at a stage when they were on top in the game having spurned chances in front of goal and seen last ditches clearances keep the visitors goal intact. Queens extended their lead fifteen minutes from the end when Gavin Reilly netted. This was a day when too many Alloa players did not perform to their potential but they will be keen to get back in action and will look forward to their home William Hill Scottish Cup tie at Recreation Park next Saturday against Inverurie Loco Works.

 
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Livingston v Alloa Athletic

Alloa’s poor record at Livingston continues, “The Wasps” having never ever won a league match at Almondvale since the club took Meadowbank Thistle’s place in the Scottish League back in Season 1995/96. Ben Gordon’s late equaliser in the 86th minute looked to have given “The Wasps” a point which would have been against the run of play in the second half with Livingston having by far the better of the game. Then in the final minute Andy Barrowman pounced to give the home side the full points and silence the Alloa fans who saw a point snatched away in the final minute. Scott Bain again had to keep his side in the game, especially in the second half, the Alloa players kept going until the final minute but on the day didn’t create many chances in front of goal.

 

paul hartley after defeat at livingston

The better team won on the day, plain and simple, we could have got a point but I think overall they were better than us today, it’s not often I’ve said that. We were out passed today, and out thought, their movement was too good for us – so we have to regroup again and move on to next week. We now need to be focused on our next game, we will need to look at what we didn’t do well here today and start working on it on Tuesday night, we need to dust ourselves down and be ready for our next challenge. It was disappointing to lose an early goal but it gave us plenty of time to get back into the game and we did, we scored a good goal – but they deserved to win the game today. The boys kept going and we ended the game with five players up front, we needed to have a real go after losing the second goal, but in terms of our possession and how we dealt with the ball, we didn’t do well today. We have been really good in the first quarter – we just need to go again.
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