Competition: League 2

Alloa Athletic v Montrose

This was another huge result for the club, Montrose once again proved to be very difficult opponents and grew in strenth after being able to survive Alloa’s early onslaught which on another day Alloa could have been two or three ahead at the interval. The goals when they came were worthy of winning any match – Ross McKinnon’s strike breaking the deadlock with only three minutes to go, and with Montose in the final three minutes pushing men forward, Armand One threaded a great through ball allowing Stevie May to extend his run of goals to eight goals in seven matches.

paul hartley after montrose victory

I am delighted with the result – we know we can do a lot better, we are a better team than that but sometimes you just have to grind the result out and we did that today – two good goals and obviously a great finish by Ross McKinnon to break the dead lock and then Stevie May had good composure at the end – it was looking like it was heading for a draw but thankfully we got a goal at the right time and then we got the second goal soon after. Delighted with the three points that is what it is about. Ross McKinnon had a great day and scored the goal with his right foot which he calls his bad foot – he stuck to his task, was good going forward, and was very composed with the ball. Stevie May and Kevin Cawley are a handful up front, but bringing Armand One and Robbie Winters on – we just had to change it, we took the two mid fielders off – to try and push to win the game we didn’t want to sit back and go for a point we wanted to try and win. I am delighted with the result and anther three points. Stevie May runs all day – he is on fire for us just now. I am thankful that St Johnstone have let us have him until the end of the season, he is scoring goals for us and we are getting the rewards for it he is a good team player, he is good for his team mates . There is a great atmosphere at the club at the moment – I have tried to get the team playing attractive football – we all get on well at the club I have a good relationship with my chairman and the players so there is a good spirit amongst everyone just now at the club. It was a bit of a disaster for the club being relegated to the third division at the end of last season . We are all in it together – everybody right down to the back room men – the kit men – we all stick together here and try to create a good team spirit among the players.
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Stranraer v Alloa Athletic

Paul Hartley’s “Wasps” produced their best team performance of the season so far at Stair Park against promotion rivals Stranraer. The team produced some of the best football by an Alloa Athletic side in a long while, great confidence on the ball, their passing football a joy to watch and four great goals in a match which really mattered. Certainly know one at the club is getting carried away, there is still an awful lot of football still to be played this season yet, but this was a game to remember. Alloa attacked straight from the kick off with the help of a very strong wind, it was important to get ahead and score goals with the home side likely to bombard the Alloa box in the second half. Although “The Wasps” went in 2-0 ahead at half-time the scoreline could easily have read 6-0 such were the chances on offer – Ryan McCord through, Stevie May shot, Ryan Harding shot, Stevie May cleared off the line, Stevie May/Kevin Cawley double save, Alloa’s football on the day won the game. Stranraer introduced the physical Michael Moore for the second half, but Alloa continued to play football and were still creating chances. The third goal by Stevie Masterton had class written all over it and how he celebrated with the travelling Alloa support who were rewarded for their loyalty with a “Game to remember” performance from every one of the Alloa Athletic players. Stevie May then added the fourth goal, his seventh goal in six starts for the club, extending Alloa’s unbeaten run to twelve league games. Special mention to Kevin McHattie who after the match returns to Hearts with the best wishes from everyone at Recreation Park after his loan period could not be extended.

paul hartley after emphatic win in stranraer

We were great today, outstanding, I thought in the first half we could have been five or six goals up. Some say the wind was a key factor in the first half but even in the second half I knew we would get more chances, but it was an outstanding performance throughout the game. The players deserve a lot of credit, it was a real team performance today, wonderful to watch, great work ethic in my team, but we need to keep going – Stranraer is a hard place to come to and a lot of people didn’t give us a chance today, a lot of people fancied Stranraer, but we showed what we are about we have got good players – May, Cawley , Masterton and Young, all good footballers and we try and play football that is for sure. We are delighted with the result we just have to keep our feet on the ground and keep going. We felt in the first 15/20 minutes just to get the ball down the sides and feed in some quality passes – which is what we had been working at in training all week – we knew the pitch would be heavy but we thought the game would settle down after the opening 15 minutes. I thought we played all the football today we were at it right from the off and I am really proud of my team we worked terrific today. The goal at the start of the second half by Stevie Masterton was a touch of class and really killed off Stranraer, Stevie May’s second goal was the icing on the cake – Stevie has scored seven goals in his last six games for the club and that is why he is here, we are delighted we have got him, we thank St Johnstone and hopefully his period here will give him great confidence when he goes back to St Johnstone at the end of the season. He is a young lad, he is still only 19 – he strikes a lovely ball. Stevie and Kevin Cawley up front are a handful for anybody. As I said it was a real team performance today and it was another clean sheet, we have lost only 1 goal in the last 4 games and I think overall the back 4 were outstanding, the goal keeper and young McHattie – it’s a pity he is going back to Hearts because he has been terrific for me since he has been here but it will give someone else the opportunity to come in and fill that slot. Overall the team performance was excellent. The score line certainly didn’t flatter us I thought we could have scored more goals but that’s me being a bit greedy. Some of the chances we had especially in the first half if we had shown a little bit more composure in front of goal we could have went in by a greater margin than 2-0. I said to the players at half time we would have to be warey of Stranraer in the second half as they would have the benefit of the wind. However, we coped well and our goal keeper did not have a lot to do. There was a flash point in the second half when Michael Moore fouled Kevin McHattie and I had a disagreement with the Stranraer bench at the touch line – you kick every ball when you have been a former player I think that is only natural but we will have a beer after the game and have a chat about the game. We are in a good position – Stranraer, Annan and Queens Park are all still real threats so we will not get complacent that is for sure. We do have a game in hand against Peterhead but you still have to win them – we have to recover now and I will give the boys a break this week and I will see them next Thursday because they deserve it and we go again next Saturday. It’s still a long, long way to go but we are enjoying it. We are trying to give the players time off because they deserve it – the pitch takes a lot of energy out of you so we said to the players we will see you next Thursday, it’s time to recover again and then we go again against Montrose next Saturday and then Peterhead on the Tuesday, our game in hand.
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Alloa Athletic v Annan Athletic

Ysterday’s Third Division “Match of the Day” certainly lived up to its expectations in game that both sided were on top at times but Alloa Athletic finally getting their first victory over the Galabank side to move back to the top of the division on merit. Stevie May was to score the all important Alloa goal but on the day there would have been many a candidate for the “Man of the Match” award and manager Paul Hartley rightly praised his whole team. Annan had a lot of possession, especially at the start of the second half but lacked a cutting edge in front of goal, although Alloa only won the goal by a single goal Annan have to thank their goalkeeper Alex Mitchell after he made saves from Kevin Cawley, Mark Docherty, Graeme Holmes and Stevie May in the second period to keep the visitors in the game. This is “The Wasps” first victory over Annan Athletic which was very significant but even more important was the a healthy crowd of 635 who must have been impressed by the football on show, lets hope they will return to watch Alloa Athletic look to consolidate their position at the top of the division.

paul hartley after annan victory

It was a tough game for us we always knew it was going to be hard as Annan are a difficult side to play against but I am delighted with the result it’s brought the monkey of our back as it’s the first win against them which is pleasing for us and it keeps our good run going and it gives us a little bit of leeway between us and Annan now – 5 points and we have still got a game in hand so I am delighted with the effort of the players – we can play a lot better but I think on chances, we created the better chances especially in the second half with Stevie May up front – he scored a really good goal – he was outstanding again today – he just gets on with it – his movement was excellent his work rate and his overall effort for the team was first class. I don’t want to see him leave but it is out with my hands it’s in the hands of St Johnstone – we are hoping that St Johnstone can keep Sandaza and bring a couple of strikers in so that we can keep Stevie because I think it is important that he gets to play first team football and he is getting the opportunity and he is enjoying it and scoring goals, he is playing with a smile on his face. Kevin Cawley and Stevie May work well together – they are a handful for any defence in the league so we are hopeful that we can keep Stevie but if we don’t keep him we will just have to try hard to find someone else – we have got him for next week and hopefully we can keep him to the end of the season. Being undefeated in the last eleven games has given the players a positive reaction, they are enjoying it, the more games they go unbeaten the more confident they get so it’s a great thing in football when you win and don’t lose games the amount of confidence you get – if you lose games the amount of confident it drains from you so we are going in the right direction, we have to keep it going we had two defeats in 19 games and have to keep it going. We are pleased with the progress but there is a lot more to come from the team. It’s hard work to try and stay at the top of the table but it’s not just up to me it’s up to the back team as well if it wasn’t for them we wouldn’t be in this position – it’s about everybody working hard together and the players have been brilliant they have given me a great response since I took the job in the summer but we have to keep it going there is a long way to go – we are half way through the season but nothing is ever decided in January time so we have to keep the hard work up and see how it goes. There is a long way to go but we won’t get carried away as long as we are in the mix at the end of the season that’s all I have said to the players.
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East Stirlingshire v Alloa Athletic

Alloa Athletic started the New Year extending their 10 match unbeaten record in the league after a 3 – 1 victory in a local derby with East Stirlingshire at a very blustry Ochilview. The Wasps couldn’t have started better with Stevie May heading the visitors in front in the opening minute, five minutes later however the home side struck with a bizzare equaliser, Stuart Beveridge’s strike from well inside his own half being carried with the strong wind and bouncing over a surprised Alloa keeper. This gave the home side great heart and they competed very well and had others chances which caused concern. Mark Docherty was unlucky with a shot which struck the crossbar which was Alloa’s closest effort in first half. The second half opened very simalar the first with a stunning Stevie May strike putting “The Wasps” back in front. Alloa then took control of the match and played some great passing football under horrendous condions. Stevie May looked to have put Alloa 3-1 ahead until the standside linesman flagged for offside before he again made no mistake for his hat-trick thundering a blistering shot past the Shire keeper. The result returned Alloa Athletic back to the top of the Division which was their aim at the start of the day, next Saturday “The Wasps” league match against Peterhead has been cancelled due to their involvement in the William Hill Scottish Cup.

paul hartley after rising to the summit again

Delighted to be back at the top of the league, our second half performance was very good today, which included a great hat-trick by Stevie May, who made the difference, that is why he was brought in to score goals and he certainly was on song today, all three goals were top drawer and we could have had more especially in the second half. The East Stirlingshire goal was a miss judgement by our goalkeeper who has been excellent for us on many days this season, but he got caught with the bounce of the ball and the pace of it which was all down to the strong wind. This gave a lift to the home side, we dug in and I had a word with the players at half-time and we then got on top again in the second half, some of our passing and football in the second period was a joy to watch. The three points were the most important statistic today with no game next week – today’s challenge was to see us regaining that top league position and we are fortunate enough to have done that. Stevie May still Has a couple of games left in his loan period, but he is definitely a player I would like to keep longer at the club, I will be speaking to Steve Lomas over the next couple of days just to see where we are at with him, he has good quality, and he works his socks off, him and Kevin Cawley are a handful for any team in this league. However we must keep this run going – we are down unbeaten in our last ten league games which is terrific but there is still a lot of hard work to be done, it’s such a tough league, there are no easy games and we must keep going.
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Alloa Athletic v Elgin City

The Wasps ended 2011 in style by winning 3-0 against a good Elgin City side and taking top spot in the Division on Boxing Day. This was a great result and performance which has put the club where they want to be on 5th May, 2012, however with Annan Athletic playing Stranraer on Hogmanay this might be short lived until we get the chance to consolidate position with victory over East Stirlingshire on 2nd January in New Year derby game. The team played some excellent football and on this ocassion were rewarded with three good goals, Mark Docherty setting the tone with an excellent volley, Kevin Cawley scoring his 9th goal of the season after being denied with the woodwork in the first half, Ryan McCord then added the third after great play from Stevie May. Overall a good game of football which was pleasing to watch, although there was a scare when one of the floodlight pylons lights went out temporarily and the fear the game might be abandoned.

 

paul hartley after boxing day win

The first half we were tremendous today, I said at half time although we were 1-0 in front Elgin City were still very much in the game, then we came out in the second half and were terrific again, some of our football was great today, good goals, pleased with the overall performance, even after going down to ten men again, our goalkeeper makes a great save from the resultant penalty kick. We then seen the game out which is pleasing and more importantly this was a great result for us.
We go top of the league which is good for the club and reward for the players but there is a long way to go, a lot of hard work to be done, the players have worked ever so hard to get to this position – so we must keep it going and maintain the standards which we have set, we are there just now but we know there is a chasing pack and we will hope to stay there.
The players showed great spirit and determination after going down to ten players, we have done it six times already this season, that is now six players sent off this season but we are not a dirty team, far from it, we know we have great spirit and commitment, the players work ever so hard for each other, Stevie May up front was absolutely different class, he ran his socks off, but it was a team performance in which there was not one failure and that was pleasing.
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Berwick Rangers v Alloa Athletic

The Wasps will be disappointed after missing the chance to go top of the Division, having taken the lead just prior to half-time when Ryan McCord put the visitors in front, Paul Hartley’s team started the second period well on top and increased their lead when Stevie May scored his first goal for the club. At this stage in the game Alloa were looking more likely to increase their lead and Stevie May and Armand One had great chances to do this. However Berwick never gave in and substitute Michael Deland snatched a lifeline for them, which they grabbed with both hands. The home side now had the accendancy and drew level after a bad defensive lapse, which allowed Damon Gray to score his sixth goal of the season. The result allowed Stranraer to go top on goal difference, The Wasps will now look to bounce back in their Boxing Day encounter against Elgin City, a team who have shown how dangerous they can be, so therefore Paul Hartley’s men will need to be at their best to keep the unbeaten home run going in the league and claim three more vital league points before the end of 2011.

 

paul hartley after draw at berwick

We had the game won but you can never think too far ahead – we were well on top in the second half and looked like we could score more but credit has go to Berwick Rangers in the way they fought back. After they scored their goal we sort of panicked a bit and a mistake killed us – but we don’t blame anybody, although it was a bad decision to make which has cost us, but we have to keep going – we are still undefeated in the last eight league games. I am disappointed as today we had a good opportunity to go top of the league. We started the second half well which we have done for most of the season and Steven May got his first goal for the club which he thoroughly deserved as he had worked his socks off – I was delighted for him and at that stage we looked so comfortable. I felt if anything we could have increased our lead. We then made a couple of substitutions to freshen things up, but it was Berwick who scored which gave them a lift and we were then on the back foot – the players will need to look to bounce back.
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Alloa Athletic v Queen’s Park

“The Wasps” were rewarded on Saturday for the great effort to get the game playable and then to make sure it was not in vain. Alloa maintained their unbeaten home record in the league this season after a 1-0 victory over a Queen’s Park side, who on another day could easily have won this fixture. Alloa had the perfect start, Stevie May broke clear down the left hand side and provided a perfect pass for Michael Doyle to score his second goal of the season, ironically both against Queen’s Park. Stevie May added good pace and was very lively, while other loan signing Kevin McHattie turned in a composed display in a difficult afternoon against a lively Queen’s attack. Queen’s will look to the fact they had lots of possesion but failed miserably in front of goal. Alloa however could not get that important second goal, the closest the came was at the start of the second half when Kevin Cawley was fouled by Ricky Little on the edge of the box. on this occasion a yellow card and free kick was awarded, Stevie May’s goalbound freekick was brilliantly saved by Neil Parry in visitors goal. Alloa did have the ball in the net in the final ten minutes but Craig Campbell was adjudged to have fouled their goalkeeper.This was a professional display by “The Wasps” in holding on to their 1-0 lead and securring all three league points.

 

paul hartley after victory over queen’s park

We were delighted to collect full points as Queen’s Park played very well today, they were probably the better side. We scored a really good goal and stopped playing after that a bit?
One thing for sure is the players attitude was first class, the will to win was great, we seen the game out , we defended really well and kept a clean sheet – so for this we are really pleased.
We know we can play a lot better but sometimes over a season you will need to grind out a victory , and today was such a game but we achieved the three points which was the most important thing.
We can still claim to be the only team in the Division which has an unbeaten home record in league matches, so we will look to keep it going, we know we are strong at home, Queen’s Park try to play a similar game to ourselves. I thought the two players who joined the club in midweek on loan were terrific today, Stevie May worked his socks off, he gave me everything and young Kevin McHattie was different class at left back, he had a really good first half he was strong, he has had a good grounding at Hearts and knows the position well, no I was pleased with both of them. The team as a whole was great and I have to be pleased with that. When the score is only 1-0 it is always a nervy ending that is just the way it is, it always have been like that in football, ideally you always want to get that second goal, which gives you a bit of a cushion but we seen the game out, Queen’s threw everything at us but we coped really well today and the defending was first class.
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Montrose v Alloa Athletic

Saturday again proved that there as certainly no easy games in Division Three, “The Wasps” travelled to Links Park for their 1st competitive game since April, 1998 to visit a ground where Alloa Athletic had not lost since October, 1988. Paul Hartley’s team started well and both Graeme holmes and Kevin Cawley had early chances to put the visitors ahead. However, once again Alloa did not put enough pressure on the opposition keeper with players looking reluctant to shoot at goal. Montrose took the lead with one of their first attacks of the game, after Alloa had failed to clear their lines. In the second period again Alloa had a lot of possesion but only two great saves from Scott Bain kept them in the game. Eleven minutes from the end Ben Gordon scored a deserved equaliser after the team pushed hard for a goal and were rewarded for their never say die spirit. Results elsewhere confirmed just how tight this league can be when bottom club East Stirlingshire moved of the base of the league after defeating league leaders Annan Athletic 1-0.

 

paul hartley after draw at montrose

I thought we were the better team in the first half and probably in the second half Montrose shaded it, with the chances they had and our keeper did had two really good saves, but we should have one up early in the match, Kevin Cawley is disappointed that he didn’t make it count but he has been terrific for us all season. Overall it was another point taken away from home, we showed great character after we had lost a goal, not for the first time this season we have came back from going a goal behind, the players showed great spirit and determination.
In the first half we played some really good football and created some good chances but we need to learn to take these chances, if you don’t take the chances you are always vulnerable at the other end and that’s what happened, we didn’t stop the cross and didn’t pick up the forward, which is something that we have to address – cross balls coming in and not been dealt with, it was the same last week so we will work on that but overall I am happy to take a point.
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Alloa Athletic v East Stirlingshire

Saturday’s local derby against East Stirlingshire was frustrating because “The Wasps” couldn’t play football in the way they have this season, conditions in the weather were the worst possible for the game, but full credit to the visitors who were very hard to breakdown, very disciplined and on the day merited their draw, which could have been worse had Scott Bain not do well to save from Bradley Coyne shortly after “The Shire” had taken a shock lead. Another big disappointment was the megre crowd of 421 our lowest league attendance this season, on the day although Alloa had  large periods of possesion they didn’t create enough chances, they lacked shots on goal and need to be more direct. We are not scoring enough goals at present with only 20 in the league, which is less than Stranraer, Berwick, Annan, Elgin and Montrose – however we still maintained our unvbeaten home record in the league and will go to Links Park next Saturday looking to bounce back and keep pressure on Annan Athletlic.

 

paul hartley laments dropped points

Having been 1-0 down, I would then take a draw after that, we tried to push for the winner but credit to East Stirling, especially in the second half there was not a lot between us, in the first half we had most of the play and had three or four good chances but we just couldn’t get that first goal to go in front. I am disappointed because it was two points dropped for us, we had some good chances especially in the first half to go ahead, a victory today would have seen us go joint top of the league but it wasn’t to be today, we just need to move on to next week. Our goal keeper Scott Bain had a very good save at 1-0 which in the end was to gain us a point as we could have went 2-0 behind with a bigger mountain to climb. Craig Campbell did well to score and Michael Doyle also did well at left back, but too many players had an off day today, we didn’t play well as a team so we have to work on it. We are still undefeated at home but it could have been worse. It keeps the home record intact. We have to do better than that it was not a good performance
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Peterhead v Alloa Athletic

Its been a great week for the club picking up seven league points, however it looked like being a maxium nine points until late own goal denied “The Wasps” the chance of closing gap on Annan Athletic at top of table. Alloa were looking for their first victory at Balmoor Stadium since August, 2007 when they won 4-1 thanks to a Graeme Brown hat-trick and Stephen McKeown penalty, in the first half they played some good football and were unfortnate to see Ryan McCord’s effort come back off the cross bar. The home side did come more into things in the second half but substitute Armand One scored with a header from a Ryan McCord cross but three minutes from time Craig McDowall under pressure at a corner kick unfortunately punched the ball into his own net to deny “The Wasps” victory.

 

paul hartley after draw with peterhead

I thought we deserved to win the game as we were terrific today, in the first half we passed the ball well and created chances but just couldn’t score, i was disappointed going in at half time at 0-0, there was always a danger that Peterhead would come back into the game in the second half and they did but our overall play away from home was great, the team effort, the work rate, passing, I was pleased with the team performance.
Armand has had to wait a while for his first competitive goal for us, but he has been patient, it has not quite worked out for him yet, but he is off and running now, he scored 23 goals last season and that’s the reason I brought him to the club, the goal will help his confidence, but our overall play today – the way we passed the ball was outstanding, its been a great week for us, the players have been absolutely terrific their attitude was first class and I’m proud of them again today.
Craig is obviously disappointed at losing the goal we lost, I don’t need to tell him, it was just a bad mistake from him but he has kept us in games last Saturday and again on Tuesday night and had a good save today again near the end , it’s one of those things which happens, he has to pick himself up again, his confidence will be fine – It’s been a good week for us.
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