Competition: Premier Sports Cup

Ross County v Alloa Athletic

“The Wasps” kicked off the new season with a trip to the Global Energy Stadium, Dingwall to face Ross County, who they had defeated 3-2 last season ending “The Staggies” hold on the trophy as holders. However there was to be no repeat of last season’s victory over Jim McIntyre’s men with the home side being the better team on the day.

The opening goal came five minutes before half-time with a strike from right back Marcus Fraser, a goal out of the blue and a strike noboby could do much about. Alloa started the second half far more brightly but were dealt a huge blow after 60 minutes when centre forward Craig Malcolm, making his competitive debut had to be stretchered from the field.

Ten minutes later the home side scored the decisive second goal after “The Wasps” gave away possession and were punished. Substitute Adam Martin came closest to scoring for Alloa, his goal bound header saved brilliantly by home keeper, Scott Fox.

 

JIM GOODWIN IN DINGWALL

I can’t argue with the result, so be fair Ross County were the better team on the day, I am disappointed because we didn’t play to the levels we are capable of, I couldn’t fault the players commitment or effort they worked really hard, but it will not be a surprise to anyone to see the result, but the disappointing thing for me was that it was a game if we came up and  done things properly when in possession we could have caused a wee upset, but I give great credit to Ross County they were the better team on the day and that is the bottom line.

Ross County were expected to win but we know teams can cause upsets and when we saw the draw we felt it was a game we could go and frustrate them, we tried to do that with our shape, I thought it worked reasonably well but the two goals we lost were disappointing, there was nothing you could do with the first one we defended the box well and it comes out to Marcus Fraser twenty five yards out and he put it in the top bin and you can’t really defend against that, if he tried it another ten times I doubt if he could again put it where he put it, you just have to hold your hands up but the second one is a bit of slackness, to play a blind pass in our own defensive third, against the quality of players we were playing today, you will get punished and we did. So all round disappointed today but with games coming thick on fast we can turn it around on Tuesday, will go again against Arbroath and hopefully get three points to get us back in the mix.

I was disappointed with the challenge which saw Craig Malcolm having to be stretchered off, I didn’t think it was necessary for the kind of challenge which was put in and “Malky” is a big player for us, so the game it is what it is, it would be hypocritical of me if I came out here and started slagging people off for making tackles but he definitely caught him in clearing his lines the big man Davies, I thought he had a great game he was excellent but I am not quite sure the follow through was necessary. I don’t think it is a break, but more likely ligament damage we will just have to wait and see how severe the ligament damage is but hopefully a couple of weeks and he will be back, hopefully for the start of the league campaign but I don’t think he will make it in the next fortnight.
2 - 0
Full Time

Celtic v Alloa Athletic

“The Wasps” can be very proud of their display at Parkhead in the Betfred Cup Quarter-Final tie against Scottish champions Celtic on Wednesday evening.

It was a spirited team performance which contained Celtic for long spells in the match, with keeper Neil Parry in inspired form. Indeed it was the Celtic fans who were showing frustration in the stands and the Alloa Athletic supporters the ones who were enjoying the ocassion.

Alloa did have opportunities themselves an early Greig Spence shot which tested Craig Gordon from distance, before the clash between the same players when Craig Gordon rushed from his goal to foul Greig Spence the biggest talking point of the game.

Then just before half-time Ben Gordon’s header from Calum Water’s free kick nearly going in at the top corner of the net. It had been a fantastic run to the Quarter-Finals stages, the first time the club had reached this stage since season 1965/66 and late into the second half the teams were still level.

However with only seven minutes left Celtic broke the deadlock when James Forrest scored and in the final minute Moussa Dembele won the game with the second goal of the evening.

 
2 - 0
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Alloa Athletic v Inverness Caledonian Thistle

The Alloa Athletic players wrote themselves into the club’s history this evening, as the first Alloa Athletic team to reach the Quarter-Finals of the League Cup since Season 1965-66.
The closest they had come previously had been in Season 1972/73  when after winning their group section, they defeated First Division side Ayr United over two legs, 0-0 at Recreation Park, then winning 1-0 at somerset Park, Willie McCulloch scoring “The Wasps” winner, however it did take a penalty save from keeper Davie McWilliams, keeping out Eric Stevenson’s late penalty. In the next round, the same stage as prior to this evenings victory over Inverness CT, “The Wasps” unfortunately went down 3-0 to St. Johnstone in aggregate.
This evening Jack Ross masterminded a highland double, after defeating both Premier League sides Ross County and Inverness CT. The only down side for “The Wasps” this evening was Jamie Longworth falling awkwardly on his hand and breaking bones, and having to come off at half-time.
The Wasps will now look forward to the draw for the next round of the tournament, which will take place at Parkhead, tomorrow evening after the Celtic v. Motherwell game.

Jack Ross made two changes to his line up from the 4-0 win over Peterhead the previous game. Jim Goodwin returned to the side after missing out through suspension at the weekend, while Jamie Longworth also made the starting line up as Kevin Cawley and Graeme Holmes dropped to the bench.

As expected it was Richie Foran’s men who went on the offensive early on and they created the first glimpse at goal on five minutes when David Raven crossed towards Jake Mulraney in the box, but Jason Marr was alert to cut out the danger. In-form Jordan Kirkpatrick led Alloa’s first venture forward as he collected the ball from Jon Robertson then burst past two players toward the Inverness box, but his shot was blocked well by Raven. Longworth then produced a bit of magic to send Calum Waters in down the left, but he was hauled down by Mulraney as he look to cross and the free kick came to nothing. Inverness were dominating possession at this point and the tricky Greg Tansey burst down the left to cross, but Neil Parry got out to grab the cross. The visitor’s best moment of the first half came on 22 minutes when a brilliant flowing move ended with Iain Vigurs teeing up Liam Polworth on the edge of the box to shoot, but his goal bound effort was brilliantly tipped onto the bar by Parry.

The Wasps stunned the Highlanders on 28 minutes when Waters’ whipped cross was bundled home by Marr to send the home crowd into euphoria.
Inverness tried to respond immediately when Mulraney cut in off the right wing to shoot, but his effort was high over the top. Mulraney was relentless down the right, but Waters stood up well to the threat as the Wasps held onto their lead at the interval. Inverness set the pattern for the second half as they attacked Alloa from the outset as Vigurs threatened to burst through on goal with mazy run, but Scott Taggart got across to make a brilliant block. Alloa weren’t just going to sit back and could have doubled their advantage on 54 minutes when Iain Flannigan got down the right, laid the ball back for Taggart to cross, but as he picked out Greig Spence at the back post, the striker could only blaze over on the volley.
Inverness heaped on more pressure as the game reached the hour mark, but Polworth and substitute both blazed over from long range as frustration began to creep into the highlanders’ play. The pressure almost paid off on 68 minutes for Foran’s side as Tansey’s long diagonal into the box was nodded back by Mark Draper into the path of Vigurs on the penalty spot, but somehow the midfielder fired wide. It was a let off for the Wasps, who were throwing their bodies on the line all over the pitch to stand up to the pressure, but again Inverness continued to come forward in numbers. Vigurs again wriggled his way into the box, but an incredible last ditch block by Jon Robertson denied him, then the impressive Parry gathered the rebound.
The visitors last chance came on 87 minutes when substitute Kevin Cawley was penalised for a high boot on the edge of the Alloa box. Tansey struck the free kick, but the brave wall did its job and Graham completed the clearance as Alloa’s place in the quarter finals was confirmed minutes later. It was a heroic team performance as every player to a man, ran their socks off for the cause.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Calum Waters

Alloa Athletic: Parry, Taggart, Waters, Graham, Marr, Goodwin, Longworth (Cawley 45), Robertson, Spence (Layne 81), Kirkpatrick (Holmes 75), Flannigan. Subs not used: McDowall, Wilson, Hoggan, Hetherington.

Match Report – Graeme Lafferty
1 - 0
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Raith Rovers v Alloa Athletic

The Wasps defeated SPFL Championship side Raith Rovers at Starks Park, Kirkcaldy, 1 – 0, thanks to Greig Spence’s third goal in the tourament so far, against one of his old clubs, to go through unbeaten in the Betfred Group D and be seeded for the last 16 draw on Sunday.

The Wasps recent record against Raith Rovers was good, indeed they also won on their last League visit last season in the Championship 1-0 and won on their last meeing in the League Cup at Starks Park back in Season 2002/03, 3-2 with goals from Gareth Hutchison, Ian Little & Ross Hamilton.
0 - 1
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Alloa Athletic v Ross County

Alloa Athletic this evening recorded another memorable victory to rank along side recent memorable victories at the Indodrill Stadium against Rangers and Hibernian, on this occasion last seasons League Cup winners Ross County lost out in a five goal thriller.

The Wasps stormed to an early two goal lead after Jordan Kirkpatrick and Jon Robertson had put Jack Ross’s team ahead. Ross County themselves drew level before half-time when Brian Graham and Alex Schalk scored.

In was a very entertaining first half in which the hosts must have been disappointed only to go in level, Kevin Cawley and Greig Spence going closest to putting the home side back ahead. The Wasps always looked dangerous and looked to break into attack at every opportunity and with seventeen minutes left Calum Waters was to drive home the important winning goal.

Indeed only the woodwork stopped Alloa from increasing their lead when substitutes Jamie Longworth and Isaac Layne combined and Scott Fox in the County goal could only watch as Isaac’s shot came back off the far post with the keeper beaten. The Wasps now top Group D with full nine points from 3 games and a goal difference of +7, which puts them in a very strong position and means holders Ross County cannot retain their trophy only won four months ago at Hampden Park.
3 - 2
Full Time

Montrose v Alloa Athletic

The Wasps recorded an excellent 2-0 victory in their first competitive away fixture of the season at Links Park, Montrose, giving them back to back victories in their opening two Betfred Cup Group D matches.

Once again the strikers, Greig Spence and Isaac Layne were on the scoresheet and are adding a threat up front which was absent last season, however the team played with great belief and are building on a succesful unbeaten run which began in the final matches of last season.

Next up on Tuesday night is League Cup holders Ross County in what will be a different challenge for the players against a team who have proven high quality individuals who will be looking to win to help them retain an opportunity to hold on to the trophy they won at Hampden Park in March of this year in the final against Hibernian.

It will give for the Alloa Athletic players an opportunity to record another memorable result, which in recent times they have achieved against teams such as Rangers and Hibernian and add to those memories.
0 - 2
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Alloa Athletic v Cove Rangers

The Wasps started their competitive season with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Highland League side, Cove Rangers in tonight’s Betfred Cup match.

A delighted Alloa Athletic manager, Jack Ross said

“I don’t think we could ask for more in our first competitive game of the season, not conceding and scoring the number of goals we did, I think our overall play in the game was really good, I spoke before hand about keeping the momentum from the last part of last season and our pre season form and we did, I have a lot to be really pleased about and the players deserve a lot of credit for that.

It was good to have four different goalscorers and the players who came off the bench also made a difference in scoring and in the overall game and that is important because if we are to achieve what we want to achieve this season it will be the group of players which will achieve as opposed to just eleven players, you don’t get perfect nights but it was a really good start for us, we will not get carried away but it was as pleasing as could be.”

 

It was unusual conditions for the players because when we normally feel that heat we expect to be on a beach or next to the pool! We spoke about this as soon as the players arrived tonight and told them to hydrate themselves and drink plenty fluids, but the good bunch of professionals I have here at the club knew that anyway, I think the fact we went ahead in the game helped us but the second goal was the important one, because thereafter that I think we were able to control the game. Cove had put a lot into their game against Raith Rovers on Friday night at Station Park, Forfar but the second goal going in tonight floored them.

Great for the strikers to get off the mark, both Greig & Isaac and Jamie had already scored in pre season, Greig was terrific all night and he could have scored more but good goalkeeping kept him at bay, terrific running and turning their defenders, Isaac would have been aggrieved not to start because he has been terrific in pre season , but I will rotate the team in the four Betfred games it is a demanding schedule for any club especially part-time, Cove made four changes tonight and these conditions take a lot out of players, but for strikers it is important to get off the mark and our strikers have certainly done that which gives them great confidence.

We will look at changing things and freshen things up for our visit to Links Park, Montrose on Saturday, we will train Thursday and look forward to Saturday, but it is a really busy schedule for a part-time club, certainly it will be a difficult game on Saturday but we will prepare as we can for it and look forward in a positive frame of mind.”
4 - 0
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Berwick Rangers v Alloa Athletic

Disappointed to be out of the cup, but credit to Berwick Rangers, after going two goals ahead in the first half with two great strikes from Iain Flannigan “The Wasps” put themselves in a great position but Berwick Rangers always looked dangerous and never gave in. Certainly we had chances as well with both Geoff Mitchell heading over from under the bar and later substitute Isaac Layne, unfortunate to see his goal bound header come back off the crossbar. This will be a wake up call for Danny Lennon’s new squad and he wil look for a response in our opening SPFL Championship fixture at Dumfries next Saturday.

 

danny lennon at berwick

I certainly learned one or two things about our character against Berwick Rangers, and we are now looking for a big reaction this week. What we have to make sure is that we use the experience of that second half. Although we are obviously very disappointed, I am pleased with certain aspects of the first half in terms of going 2-0 up and creating good chances.

Pre-season and the start of the season has been a gradual build-up. We were asked a few more questions today and I think that will be the case again this week. We will certainly come into a few situations where we are tested by a quality Queen of the South side. They play with a high energy so we must learn how to handle that better.

It’s very disappointing having gone 2-0 up, I thought we played a lot of good stuff in the first half. I knew Berwick would come out and get in our faces and you’ve got to give them credit for the way they came out during the second half. They caused us problems and didn’t give us any time to play. We tried a system that we felt could cause problems and that worked well for us in the first half. It didn’t work quite so well in the second half and for that I have got to give a lot of credit to Berwick.

I’m still looking to add to the squad, there are one or two things in the pipeline just now, so we will see where that progresses.
3aet - 2
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Hamilton Academical v Alloa Athletic

There were plenty of positives to take from “The Wasps” display at New Douglas Park in their League Cup 2nd Round tie against Hamilton Accies, the end score line of 4-1 not a true reflection on the evening. Accies took the lead in spectacular style, Tony Andreu putting the home side ahead. Alloa came straight back into the game and had chances to score before Greig Spence scored a wonderful equaliser, it was the home fans who were showing discontent at half-time and it wasn’t until Martin Canning headed home on 66 minutes did the home side start to get back on top.

 

barry smith at new douglas park

I thought the score line was harsh on the boys, I thought in the first half we created good chances, Greig Spence scored another great goal and the team worked extremely hard, we had our way we wanted to play and it worked in the first half, so our dressing room is disappointed. However we must look at the positives and how well we did against a good Hamilton Accies side, we cannot take anything away from Hamilton they had a lot of the ball, but that’s the way we set up to play, was there three goals in the game I’m not sure?

The players showed a great response after going a goal down, but we have good players, we have a good dressing room and they work hard for each other and we scored a good goal, but we also created other chances as well, Greig Spence scored a great goal but he had other chances on the night as did Liam Buchanan. So disappointed but we will focus on the positives. Hamilton Accies shows us a bit of respect by changing formation because they were not getting a lot of joy. The one negative thing was the goals we lost, looking back in know we can do better at the goals we lost but we will focus on the positives because I thought we played well against a good Hamilton Accies team.  We kept our shape well, worked hard and on the evening created chances ourselves especially in the first half, the result on the evening I did not think was a fair score line given the way we played in the first half.
4 - 1
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Stirling Albion

The Wasps progressed to the next round of this seasons League Cup after defeating local rivals Stirling Albion 1-0 thanks to a Greig Spence first half strike, his fourth goal in two games since rejoining the club. The miserable weather, holiday season and admission price saw only 684 spectators at Recreation Park for this early awaited “Local derby”. Barry Smith’s side took the lead in the 26th minute when Greig Spence latched on to a half chance and rounded the Stirling Albion before slotting in his first goal for “The Wasps” against Stirling Albion. The home should have increased their lead before half-time but after having plenty of possession could not add to the scoreline. The closest visitors Stirling Albion came to an equaliser came late in the game from ex Wasp, Willie Robertson, who cracked a shot from 25 yards narrowly over the crossbar. The job had been done, by progressing to the next round of the competion which in cup games is always objective.

 

barry smith after league cup progression

The cup games are about getting into the next round, I thought in the first half we did very well and had good chances, we could maybe have scored one or two more, and in the second half I thought Stirling Albion did extremely well, we were disappointed with our second half but overall I think we deserved to go through. The conditions were poor but they were the same for both teams so I don’t think that comes into it, we should be good enough to take care of the game.

We had a lot of possession of the ball, but we never did enough with it in the second half, in the first half we were far more productive. Greig Spence has brought goals to the team, he only needs that wee half chance and he can score goals, we are happy with that, on another day he would maybe have got another one but he scored the important goal to get us through to the next round. Today’s game was a tough game, Stirling Albion have good forward players who were hard to deal with, credit to Stirling for playing the way they did in the second half. The most important thing is that we are in the next round, we are in the hat and will take whoever comes out.

It is never easy going to Palmerston Park, Jim McIntyre had them playing really good stuff at the end of last season – they had very few defeats from January, 2014 through to May, 2014 we will need to be at our best for the whole of the ninety minutes to make sure that we come away with something from our opening league fixture.
1 - 0
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