Season: 2012-13

Arbroath v Alloa Athletic

The Wasps bounced back in the best possible way ay Gayfield, winning their first game at the ground since October, 2004. Manager Paul Hartley made four changes from the weekend and was able to give a debut to former Hearts striker, Calum Elliot, who had spent the last 12 months playing for Lithuanian cup winners Zalgiris Vilnius where he scored 17 goals in 39 appearances. The Wasps started the more positive team and went ahead after 19 minutes after Ryan McCord had been fouled in the box, he slotted the penalty home for his eigth goal of the season. Ex Alloa centre half Stuart Malcolm equalised, heading home a corner just after the hour mark, but back came Alloa and it was substitute Kevin Cawley who scored the important winning goal two minutes from the end which was no more than “The Wasps” deserved.

PAUL HARTLEY AT GAYFIELD

I thought we were terrific and played really well. For the first half hour we were excellent. They came into it a wee bit and got their goal at the start of the second half but other than that they never really threatened us. But I thought our overall play was absolutely terrific. Some of the football in the second half was great and we created a lot of chances. Maybe we need to start taking more of our chances, but I tell you what, that is a great response after Saturday’s defeat. That shows you the character we have in that dressing room. It is an important win for us because Arbroath are a difficult team to beat at home. Not many teams come here and win but we were well worthy of the points. Some of our football at times was excellent with the likes of Ryan McCord back on his game, Calum Elliot giving us that presence up front along with Martin Grehan. The players were great and their work rate was first class. Calum Elliot was great and he could’ve maybe scored but he has real presence, He is clever and he links the play well. So it was a good debut for him and he can only get better. I think the winner was Kevin’s goal and Calum is unlucky not to get a touch on it but it doesn’t matter who scored it as long as the ball goes in the net that’s all we are worried about. Looking at Brechin City, the gap is now ten points again and we would much rather have the points on the board at this stage of the season. We know they have games in hand but they have to win them, but I am only concerned what Alloa Athletic do and my players and how good they were tonight. We have another tough game against Albion Rovers on Saturday, so we will rest up and be ready to go again. Meggatt being back was a huge factor for us, I thought he was excellent and played really well for us, it was a great response after Saturday.
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Alloa Athletic v Arbroath

“The Wasps” lost their first game at Recreation Park yesterday since 15th September, 2012, losing 1-0 to Arboath, who also defeated Alloa 3-2 on their last visit on 25th August, 2012. Paul Hartley’s team were disappointing yesterday and will need to bounce back on Wednesday night at Gayfield Park in the rearranged fixture against Arbroath which was postponed from 12th January, 2013. Kevin Moon and Gavin Stokes made their home debuts but it was the lack of firepower up front which was the biggest concern.

PAUL HARTLEY AFTER HOME DEFEAT

It was a poor result we didn’t play like we can play, we just didn’t get going at all today we were just slow and pedestrian in our play, our passing and our tempo – no excuses we just played poor today. We have a chance to re-dress that on Wednesday night and we need to move on quickly, we need to roll our sleeves up on Wednesday – and try and get back to playing the basic stuff that we can do well. It is disappointing to lose our unbeaten home record which we have had since last September, but it was the manner of the performance today which was poor, I can accept getting beaten but I will not accept that type of performance which was unacceptable. We had no spark or energy about us – it happens to all teams that you have bad days –but the players have to be better on Wednesday night to get a result . Kevin Moon did okay today on his debut, but he hasn’t played for a while, I didn’t expect him to play the full game, but we need more from the front guys – they were poor, I will need to re-dress that even if it means looking to bring someone else into the club again before Wednesday if possible. The players are not giving us enough in the final third of the park, we can’t expect our centre backs to pull us out and win us points with goals we need more from the front players – their goal keeper didn’t have anything to do today – we need to look at working the opposition goal keeper much more, but we need more from our front players. Arbroath started the match with Derek Holmes up front and he did well and they played one off him – Holmes held the ball in well but we need to be better than that. I am looking for someone that can hopefully score us a goal – a penalty box player that will sniff a chance – we work on things but we just haven’t had that cutting edge in the last couple of games and I need to look at that situation before the end of the season. We will train on Monday night and see who we have that is fit and see if there is any player who didn’t play today that might be available again for Wednesday night but we will have to be a lot better.
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Forfar Athletic v Alloa Athletic

“The Wasps” claimed all three points at Station Park against Forfar Athletic, with Ben Gordon scoring in the final minute in a game which looked to be ending goalless. The players showed great character and determination to win the game, after having Jonathan Tiffoney, Daryll Meggatt and Stephen Simmons all unavailable for selection, while captain Darren Young only lasted the opening 30 minutes. Forfar will feel aggrieved to have lost the game in the final minute but Alloa did have other chances, Kevin Cawley struck the crossbar in the first half, Ryan McCord just missed with a header early in the second half, but the players kept believing. Gavin Stokes who came on for Darren Young rose to the occasion, Michael Doyle playing his first game after being out for six weeks after a double hernia operation looked like he had never been away. The team can play better but no one could fault their commitment.

PAUL HARTLEY AT STATION PARK

I think one goal was going to win the game to be honest with you – and we managed to get that from a set piece. I thought the play was scrappy at times and we didn’t create much today – we had some possession of the ball but I think our passing let us down. When you are away from home it is good to get three points. It was a good delivery into the box for the goal – it was probably one of our first good goals into the box at a vital time – you are settling for a point – good header from Ben Gordon, he has done it umpteen times this season so it was good. We know we can play better but we managed another clean sheet and I thought the back four were good – the goal keeper did well and Jason Marr had a brilliant clearance off the line – in an attacking sense we have got to do better. Gavin Stokes came on today and did very well – it is not easy coming on to a game – he came on and controlled the ball and made some important passes and got his foot in –he has been chapping at the bit for a while and he did well – he came from Dundee United – he then went amateur for a while and we managed to get him – if he keeps his performances like that he will stay in the team. Darren Young had a fitness test prior to the match – he probably shouldn’t have played today but he was determined and sometimes when you make those decisions it backfires but we had a good replacement in Stokes today. Michael Doyle played his first game in six weeks – he has never even had a bounce game – just two training sessions but he is a fit guy and his operation went well so I am pleased.
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Alloa Athletic v Ayr United

Alloa Athletic scored a last minute goal to earn an unlikely draw in a game the team never got going. Ayr United with their new transfer window signing – Liam Buchanan, Chris Smith, Neil MacGregor & Michael Donald were a different team from which “The Wasps” had faced earlier in the season. Ayr did take the lead against the run of play, but after going 2-0 in front it looked a long way back for Paul Hartley’s side with the manager sitting in the stand, starting a four game touchline ban. A mistake in the Ayr defence gave Alloa a lifeline, Mitch Megginson pouncing to claw back the deficit. Ayr were reduced to ten men when Liam Buchanan dived in the box. Alloa pushed everything forward, but after Stephen Simmons and Darren Young had missed gilt edged chances to equalise it looked like ” The Wasps” would lose their first game at Recreation Park since 15th September, 2012. However Ben Gordon’s lopping header in the closing minute clinched a draw. There was one final escape, when Ayr United substitute David Winters was clear through on goal but Scott Bain diverted his shot past the post for a corner.

PAUL HARTLEY AFTER FIGHTBACK FOR DRAW

We were very poor today, we could not get going, our passing intensity just wasn’t there today but 2-0 down and to take a point considering the way we played today and it’s not like us – I am happy with the point but not with the performance. Ben Gordon has scored a few goals this season, but he needs to do better especially with their second goal when he should have got closer and made a challenge – Ayr United scored a fantastic header. It was really frustrating being in the stand and it’s not good for your health! But I was disappointed in the way that we played considering how well we did last week down at Palmerston but it could be a good point at the end of the season. Towards the end of the game we went for it and threw everybody forward even when they went down to ten men, we threw the two full backs forward and the centre back as well – so we had to go for it and not sit back!
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Queen of the South v Alloa Athletic

Alloa Athletic collected a deserved point from league leaders Queen of the South, in a game which ended 0-0, with both sides having chances to win the match. Ben Gordon’s header in the first half which came back off the crossbar the nearest either side came to scoring. Paul Hartley was pleased with the result against a good Queen of the South side, however “The Wasps” created the best chances.

PAUL HARTLEY AT DUMFRIES

On chances I thought we probably had the better chances, I thought the players were great today, we played really well, throwing our bodies on the line when required, but always looking a threat on the break. It is a good point because Queen of the South are a good team, they are at the top of the league for a reason, so I’m happy with the point. We had some great chances and were unlucky when Ben Gordon’s header in the first half came back off the cross bar and in the second half Mitch had a great chance and their keeper did great to keep out Daryll Meggatt’s shot, I thought we always looked a threat on the counter, when we had quick breaks. As a team we were great, the team showed great spirit and determination. We can only concentrate on each fixture and see where it takes us. I don’t know if we can still catch Queen of the South, they are a good team with quality throughout their side, they deserve to be at the top because they have been the most consistent – the league is there for them to lose. We are new to this league, we’re probably punching above our weight but we’ve already shown this season that on our day we can match anyone, I think we have been terrific all season, if we are still in the same position at the end of the season it will be great for us.
It’s always nice to get mentioned when other clubs need a manager. It reflects how well your team is doing and credit to the players for the position we are in, but all my focus is on Alloa. I was proud of my players today, they are a great bunch of lads, they have good quality about them, they give me everything every week, you could see that by some of the efforts which were blocked on the line, they have good spirit and I think a lot of them, they have been great for me since day one, so we just need to keep it going and see where it takes us by the end of the season. That’s the last two games against Queen of the South they have failed to score against us, there will not be too many defences who can do that against forwards like Clark, Lyle, and Reilly and the firepower they have, so credit to my back four and our goalkeeper who had a couple of good saves but we have looked solid all season, we have the second best defensive record in the league so that shows you we are doing ok.
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Alloa Athletic v Stranraer

“The Wasps” were rewarded for their toils in making sure this game went ahead, from club chairman to supporters lending their hands to clear the pitch of snow. With Brechin City and Queen of the South not playing Paul Hartley’s men were keen to keep their home record intact, which now goes back over 4 months to 15th September, 2012 when they last lost a league match at Recreation Park. However they didn’t kick into first gear until Stranraer equalised, then in the final 30 minutes played some of their best football of the season, Graeme Holmes scored his first senior double and might have had a hat-trick, after hitting the post in the first half.

PAUL HARTLEY AFTER STRANRAER DEMOLITION

Very good three points, it was a good last half hour in the game – in the first half we were a wee bit pedestrian at times but I thought overall some good goals that we scored. It will boost Megginson’s confidence a little bit scoring a goal he has not played for a while and is still not 100% fit having not played a lot of match time but it was nice for him to get the goal – a good finish with a very good ball from Darren Young – pleasing for the strikers to score – Holmes gets 2 goals and McCord gets a goal so it was good. I think it was important to get three points with Brechin City and Queen of the South not playing, so we have now created a little gap which is good, our home form is terrific, we are undefeated in five months here so it is good to go into next week’s game with a bit of confidence.
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Alloa Athletic v East Fife

For the second time this season “The Wasps” have drawn 1-1 against East Fife at Recreation Park, but under Billy Brown this is a far better team than we faced in the opening league game of the season. East Fife started the game better and deserved their goal after 23 minutes which was set up by Collin Samuel and converted by Paul McManus. This set back only made Alloa more positive and Jason Marr powered home Ryan McCord’s corner. Mitch Megginson was brought down by Scott Durie as he bore down on goal then Calum Gallagher out paced the East Fife defence but his cut back was blasted over the bar by Stephen Simmons. East Fife again started the second period well and Paul McManus had a great chance at the back post just before the hour mark. Alloa again took over and had the best of the final half hour, but could not find a winner. Calum Gallagher was put through but keeper Antell got down well to thwart, Craig Johnstone cleared a Mitch Megginson effort off the line, but for all chances Paul hartley’s team had to settle for a draw.

PAUL HARTLEY AFTER DRAW AGAINST EAST FIFE

On chances there is no doubt we edged the game, on our fluency of our play, I have seen us play better but on chances we had the best of them. Our problem today is we never got started – we never got the ball under control and past it as well as we can, it took for East Fife to score the opening goal for us to sit up and get playing as we can, but we just didn’t play as well as we can normally play. Calum played well on his first start for us since joining on loan from Rangers, he played well and looked a threat, he has got good pace and was very positive in his play. His work rate was also terrific, he is new to the team and the longer he is with us he will get better knowing the way each other can play. I’m hopeful the run in first team football will benefit us both, that’s why we brought him in, but you can never tell if it is going to work out, but I hope he can come in and do well, he is only 18, that’s his first senior start and his work rate was terrific, but I knew that after having had him watched , his overall build up play and general play was really good, his touch and he was always a threat giving their back four problems. Glad to get Mitch back as well, he has not had enough games but he had a couple of good chances and I’m sure he will come good as well – he just needs to play and with the two of them up front hopefully it will work and be a good partnership for us. Jonathan did well in his first game since August, he defended well, going forward he was positive but he defended well as a defender should defend – its not just about getting forward, defenders still need to be defenders first and foremost.
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Brechin City v Alloa Athletic

This game was one not to be missed with Alloa fighting back after losing an early goal to play some of their best attacking football, in the first half Kevin Cawley, Nicky Low and Eddie Ferns were at their best and “The Wasps” should have went in at half-time more than 2-1 ahead, Graeme Holmes hitting the post and goals from Eddie Ferns & Stephen Simmons ruled out for offside. However in the second period the introduction of Alan Trouten from the bench changed the game and for the second time within a month “The Wasps” had lost out in a five goal thriller.

PAUL HARTLEY AFTER DEFEAT AT BRECHIN

I thought we played really well in the first half, we lost an early goal, but the response of the players was different class. The game could have been out of sight in the first half but that is what happens in football you have got to play for the full 90 minutes. In the second half we didn’t really get going, it was a wee bit scrappy, they dug in and got their goals, it was bad goals from our point of view but I thought the first half was terrific – the players gave it everything they kept going until the end – I thought it was a terrific game of football, I thought it was end to end, both teams tried to win the game and there was some great football considering the condition of the pitch. So we have to regroup again and it means that Brechin are a little bit closer to us – the players always respond well after a defeat and we have to make sure they are ready for next week. I thought our players were terrific, their attitude is first class and they have great desire and determination not to get beaten but it was just one of those days, that is what happens in football – there are periods throughout the season when they will lose games – they work hard and put a lot of effort into it and a lot of quality and they will go again they are a great bunch of boys. Our first goal was a great strike from Kevin Cawley who was terrific in the first half – I have told him to be a bit more positive and get more shots on goal. Eddie Ferns done well down the left hand side as did Nicky Low , who again did well, these three players were excellent today and caused Brechin all sorts of problems. To the extent that Brechin had to make a substitution at half time because of the problems we caused down their right hand side. We had them on the back foot in the first half and then they changed it in the second half and became a bit more solid down that side and we didn’t have as much penetration – Eddie Ferns has came from amateur football and he has not played a lot of senior football, he is still very raw and he gets tired but he has great pace – there are players out there and we are always willing to give players a chance. I thought it was a terrific game of football – one week you can be up and the next week you are down. However we will regroup we look forward to the game against Arbroath next Saturday.
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Alloa Athletic v Stenhousemuir

Another hard fought victory, which secured another three valuable league points, the only goal of the game by Ryan McCord, was a goal worthy of winning any game. The manager had to shuffle his squad with Graeme Holmes, Michael Doyle and Darren Young all missing, indeed Michael Doyle, who is requiring a double hernia operation will be operated on later this week and could be out for five or six weeks.

PAUL HARTLEY AFTER VICTORY OVER STENHOUSEMUIR

It was a great goal from Ryan McCord to win the game but we know he is capable of that. In the first half we played pretty well with some good passing in our play and some good movement. In the second half it was a little bit scrappy for us – the back four played really well today they defended the box really well and our goal keeper didn’t have a lot to do – I can’t remember him making many saves today. Any win is important but I think at home we are looking strong now, another clean sheet – I think that is 9 in 18 games we are through the second quarter and are in a nice position , but we want to keep it going because there is a long long way to go. We have had to shuffle the pack a little bit with the back four and with Michael Doyle ruled out for at least five to six weeks – he has a double hernia and will require an operation this week, Jason Marr has came in at right back and Daryll Meggatt played left centre back, with Mark Docherty returning at left back – so special praise for the back four they were excellent. I thought their left back was causing us problems so we brought on Eddie Ferns who then caused him problems with his pace, which we know he has and he produced that again today. He is still raw, he came in from an amateur team but he is learning every game. Nicky Low has great energy, good quality and was unlucky today with a couple of efforts – he is a great kid to work with and hopefully his spell here will do him the world of good when he goes back to Aberdeen whenever that is. We are in good form, we have had eight wins in eleven matches, two draws and a defeat so we are in good form. We go to Brechin on Saturday which will be another tough game, the players will need their rest now to make a full recovery after the game – we know the next game is going to be difficult, Brechin are playing well, highlighted today with a great 4-1 victory at Station Park against derby rivals Forfar Athletic.
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Ayr United v Alloa Athletic

A good point away from home at a venue we have not won since November, 2006, after a bright start by “The Wasps” when they could have taken the lead, the home side gradually had the best of the possession, but never really caused Scott Bain any problems apart from crosses into the box. Alloa never gave in and could have snatched all three points at the end, when Nicky Low, who had a great game, just watched his shot slip by the post.

PAUL HARTLEY AT SOMERSET

Our commitment at Ayr was first class but on the day a draw was probably a fair result, we were missing some players through injury and suspension but I thought we gave it everything, kept it going until the end. The back four were excellent – the centre backs played well and our right back was struggling with an injury but overall a draw was a fair result. Their manager might think differently, they had a couple of chances but so did we, young Nicky Low could have won the game near the end – but it was a good point for us. When you go away from home you expect to be under pressure at times, you have to take the pressure, but then we showed on the counter attack we can cause problems. I thought the players were great – their commitment and spirit was first class, fitness levels, everything that is required. We gave it our all today but just didn’t have that final cross or shot to collect all three points. Queen’s are a good team and rightly lead the league table, but we just need to concentrate on what we do, we have come up a division – we think we are punching above our weight a bit, we look at a club like Ayr who budget wise have more than us, so we think we are doing ok, but we need to keep it going and we will see where it takes us at the end of the season, but my players have been different class since the start of the season we must keep it going. I would like to add one or two if possible in the transfer window, I would like to try and bring in a striker at least, maybe two and we will look at one or two others, but we are always looking to try and improve the squad, we don’t like to sit back but are always looking to be proactive and bring better quality players into the squad, which would help us have a good push in the second half of the season. Doyle and Grehan were struggling to start today, but we patched them up and they don’t complain, we know what we get of them every week, Nicky Low looked to have won it for us right at the end but it sneaked past, he has done great for us again today, he played really well in that position, he did everything required but he is disappointed in there, he keeps his head up he is doing well for us and we have got his loan extended for another couple of weeks.
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