Season: 2012-13

Alloa Athletic v Forfar Athletic

Alloa Athletic again closed the gap at the top of the table to six points between themselves and leaders Queen of the South after this important victory over third placed Forfar Athletic. Ryan McCord was the Alloa hero with two first half goals which were to help win the game. Forfar did pull a goal back through Chris Templeman, but the 2-1 victory is what mattered. In the last few seconds of the game referee Andrew Dallas red carded Graeme Holmes and Stephen Tulloch for an off the ball tussle.

PAUL HARTLEY ON A GREAT 3 POINTS

Great three points, a wee bit scrappy in the first half, but we still created the best chances in the game, two great goals from Ryan McCord, winning was the most important aspect, sometimes you cannot play at your best and put on a top performance, it was a great start to the game, I didn’t even think we started the game well as a whole but we scored two goals, but we let them back into the game and didn’t defend the set piece properly. I thought in the second half we were never under any real pressure and didn’t look like conceding, I thought we defended really well and the back four had to patch up a little bit with the lads going off. I am disappointed in the way we lost a goal – we had good possession in the middle of the park, we tried to over play and we got caught, we gave away a corner and they scored from the set piece, a free header I thought – you never like losing a goal from a set piece. However overall I must be happy with the three points that was the most important thing. The injuries upset our rhythm but you have to get on with it, we have a strong squad – “Homer” will now miss next week’s game but it gives an opportunity to someone else, Ross McCord did well when he came on, I thought he was excellent, he played some good balls, so I was really pleased. For the sending off I didn’t think there was much in it, I’m disappointed, but that’s what can happen sometimes. On the injury front Martin Grehan will be struggling for next week, Michael Doyle has hurt his thigh, both have been carrying injuries for sometime, but we will patch them up and get on – we will give the boys a couple of days holiday, we will be back in on Wednesday and Thursday, let’s let them enjoy their Christmas they deserve it.
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Stranraer v Alloa Athletic

Confidence going into the Stranraer game was great after midweek victory over league leaders Queen of the South, we started the game well at Stair Park and took the game to the home side and could have been two or three goals ahead, but lacked quality in front of goal  before Stranraer scored the all important first goal, in the opening ten minutes of the second period we again looked to take charge of the game but uncharacterly lost bad goals. Manager Paul Hartley introduced all three substitutes to try and get on the scoresheet, and although we managed two goals the team who never stopped trying just could not find an equaliser in the closing minutes in a game which raged from end to end with Stranraer always looking dangerous on the break.

PAUL HARTLEY AFTER STAIR PARK STUMBLE

Disappointing, after Tuesday night, we played well on Tuesday night, we warned the players it would be a tough game down here, we started ok in the first ten minutes but then they came back into the game and opened the scoring just before half time, with a free header which is disappointing, we then went further behind early in the second half after starting the half well again, we then threw everything at them. We made some basic errors today that we have not been making. I certainly am not looking for excuses – we weren’t tired after our midweek game against Queen of the South, I don’t want to play that card that we were tired from midweek.
We freshened up the team today because we had one or two injuries – we gave it a go, it wasn’t our day, we move on and go again next Saturday. We created many chances which was good, the main thing is to create them and we hope to take them on another day. Overall I am disappointed in the way we lost the goals today. We kept pushing till the end and hoped we could get at least another goal but it was not to be, it the way it goes, we need to dust ourselves down and go again.
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Alloa Athletic v Queen of the South

Alloa Athletic came out top in this first versus second league game, ending Queen’s great unbeaten run in the league this season, the last British team to lose their unbeaten league record this season. This was a tight affair with both sides stricking the woodwork in the first half, Kevin Cawley saw his shot come back off the post into the keepers arms, before “The Wasps” struck the cross bar again, nearer half time Queen’s also struck the cross bar and top scorer Nicky Clark would have been disappointed he didn’t do better with the rebound. The important goal came just before the hour mark when defender, Ryan McGuffie fouled Martin Grehan in the box, Ryan McCord dispatched the important penalty which allowed “The Wasps” to reduce the deficit at the top of the league to six points.

PAUL HARTLEY AFTER WIN OVER LEAGUE LEADERS

We had a great desire to win the game, we can play better in possession of the ball but our commitment was different class for not to get beat our back four, midfield four and two forwards all had to work their socks off, I said that tonight to stand any chance of winning the game we would have to work harder than them, and we did. We had the two best chances in the first half, they had a lot of possession but I thought we dealt with it properly. We are happy with the win, the players are excellent, great commitment, they keep going, they never give up – great result. Darren was struggling with his groin tonight, it was touch and go to play him tonight, he pulled up in training last week and I was in two minds wither to start him tonight but he is a good captain to have in our team, he has great work ethic and people look up to him and his good attitude for the game, but the players were excellent from start to finish this evening. Ryan McCord “Pongo” took the penalty well, he is good at it he has done it before, he has the quality and the ability, calm under pressure, pleased with the win. Queen’s are a good team, they have good players but it was nice for us to try to keep in touch and we have shown we are good enough to beat anybody on our day. Our two centre halves were different class, they has good experience, they were strong, aggressive and know how to defend – that’s what back fours are, not guys who go forward all the time but as a back four the need to defend first and foremost, it is great for them to get a clean sheet , that’s just as good as scoring a goal for them at the other end.

 
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Stenhousemuir v Alloa Athletic

The Wasps took revenge at Ochilview today defeating “The Warriors” 2-0, a reverse of the score earlier in the season at Recreation Park, Paul Hartley’s team produced a polished, professional performance in a game Stenhousemuir can thank their keeper, Robbie Thomson, currently on loan to the club for some outstanding saves to keep the margin only to two goals. Prior to kick-off striker Martin Grehan had to pull out after feeling his calf muscle tighten and could not take place, also earlier in the day both Daryll Meggatt & Ryan McCord were ruled out with injury. The two goals were scored by Kevin Cawley who was a torn to the Warriors defence all day and a spectacular overhead kick by Stephen Simmons to give “The Wasps” a 2-0 interval lead. In the second half the home side rallied but Alloa always looked the more likely side to score, with quick attacks on the break.

PAUL HARTLEY AFTER DERBY VICTORY

I am pleased with the performance, in the first half we were outstanding, the whole team were great we didn’t have a failure today – it was a magnificent performance and the game should have been dead at half time – their goal keeper made some great saves but overall a magnificent three points.

We are a passing team and like to pass and move the ball quickly, we have got some talented players here. I had to warn the players that 2-0 is a bit of a dodgy score – we had it last week and couldn’t hold on to it. I thought the second half was a very professional performance and we were able to see the game out. Stephen’s strike was a great goal and proved there is life in the old dog yet – to manage to do an overhead kick at his age was fantastic! I think the team played very well , Kevin scored the opening goal albeit with the help of a deflection but overall I have to be pleased with how the team performed and the end result. We are on a good run of form just now; but we have to keep it going.

It was good to see our full backs getting forward with Michael Doyle and Mark Docherty who were excellent , I thought the back four were outstanding, we have great pace and break quickly on teams and this is a good threat. It is good to get a victory going into a break now – it is always important to win, because if you don’t get a good result you have to wait for two weeks to rectify it – but the players have been magnificent – I cannot ask for anymore from them and they keep producing the goods every week so we are in a good run of form and have to keep winning as many games as we can and see where it takes us. We have a good squad of players and some good loan players at the club which helps. I think we need a good strong squad, today we had the situation where three players failed fitness tests prior to the kick off – Martin Grehan, who pulled up in the warm up with a sore calf – he was never going to come on after this because we could not risk him but he knew that and had to just sit on the bench, Ryan McCord and Daryll Meggatt both pulled out this morning due to injuries. We are not going to moan about injuries we just get on with the game and see where it takes us. Nicky Low looked good today and we are delighted he has extended his loan period with us to the end of December , however I am pleased with all my players, the guys who have came in have done a great job.
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Alloa Athletic v Brechin City

Alloa Athletic manager Paul Hartley was disappointed to drop two points at home against a rejuvenated Brechin City side under new manager Ray McKinnon, after having gone 2-0 ahead after 62 minutes “The Wasps” looked to have secured another league victory to keep close on the tail on leaders Queen of the South, but a speculative ball into the box was missed by the defenders and sailed past keeper Scott Bain to allow Brechin City back into the game. Thereafter Brechin City pushed for an equaliser and were rewarded seven minutes from the end when top scorer Andy Jackson headed home, Alloa lost the momentum in the game after playing some great football but were punished for switching off when the game had not been won. All credit to Brechin City for fighting back after being given hope after Johnny Brown’s goal had given them hope, “The Wasps” left the field of play at the end of the game knowing they had thrown two points away.

PAUL HARTLEY AFTER DRAW AGAINST BRECHIN CITY

At two nil up I thought we would go on and win the game, but at two set pieces Brechin got we didn’t defend them well. I thought overall it was a good game, a thoroughly good game of football I thought we played well , attacking wise and going forward we were excellent – just disappointed we couldn’t see the game out. It’s two points dropped there is no doubt of that, when you go two nil up you think you are going to win the game with only around twenty minutes to go – It’s one of these things and a hard lesson and hopefully the players will learn from it. Plenty positives to take from the game, we played some outstanding football, I thought it was a right good game and fair play to Brechin City they came and gave it a go, the football from us was excellent and that was the pleasing thing. A great finish from Martin Grehan for our second goal, it was a great plaY from “Homer” and Ryan a well worked move, Martin was a doubt before the game he had to do a fitness test, good for our two strikers in Cawley & Grehan to score, just disappointed we couldn’t see out the and win the game. The players know themselves, it doesn’t need me to go in and tell them, we just have to defend set pieces that little bit better.
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East Fife v Alloa Athletic

“The Wasps” achieved a solid bounce back victory at Methil after defeat last week at Ibrox in the Scottish Cup. Paul Hartley having recently picked up the “Manager of the Month” award for October, extending “The Wasps” league record to four victories on the bounce against Forfar Athletic, Ayr United, Albion Rovers and now East Fife. The players showed great character and returned to their ususal passing game and after a tentative start played some great football in the first half. Efforts from Grehan, Docherty and Young might have opened the scoring before Graeme Holmes slammed home after 32 minutes which nobody could begrudge the visitors. New East Fife manager Billy Brown would have been happy only to go in 1-0 down at half-time, however in the second period the home came far more into the game and showed good spirit, but “The Wasps” always looked the more likely side to score on the break, home keeper making great saves from Kevin Cawley and Eddie Ferns. The one worrying aspect in the game was an early injury to Mitch Megginson who had just agreed earlier in the week to extend his loan period from Aberdeen by a further month.

paul hartley after win at methil

Great win today – I think everybody always looks at your team after having such a heavy loss last week, they always look for a reaction and how they go and perform. In the first half we were really good, we were excellent, albeit we were a little wasteful at times, our final shot and final pass at times let us down but we moved the way that we can and the tempo was good. We knew that East Fife would come at us, having a new manager in Billy Brown, In the second half they came into the game but we still had good chances on the counter attack, we broke really quickly and should have killed the game– but it was a good three points. It was a make shift back four for us with Marr at right back and Simmons at centre back who was excellent, I think it was a nice day to have a clean sheet and we had to make a few changes due to the fact we were down to 16 players, one or two call offs with illness and suspensions , it was a blow when Mitch Megginson had to go off with an injured ankle after only 14 minutes , we will wait to see how he is when he goes back to Aberdeen on Monday but Kevin Cawley came on we still had a threat. I am really pleased with the result today – I know what we are about, we are in good form in the league, that’s our 4th win on the bounce and are playing well, we are in a nice position, it was always about our reaction today and we knew them having a new manager they would be fired up for it, so the players were well warned. Nicky Low called off due to illness on Friday – we have had this for the last three weeks where players have called off with bugs and I have had to re-shuffle my team but the players that came in did well.
It was good to get back into league business with another, three points – which was today’s aim
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Rangers v Alloa Athletic

Today’s Scottish Cup defeat at Ibrox to a rampant Rangers side was a back lash to their defeat in midweek to SPL side Inverness CT. “The Wasps” got off to the worst possible start losing the opening goal after only a minutes play, this was just the start the home side required and Paul Hartley’s side did not want. This season Alloa have been praised for their style of play but on this occasion they never got started and Rangers confidence and attacking play was rewarded with two more goals before half-time. For a period of time at the start of the second half Alloa tried to take the game to Rangers and had their best period in the match, but after losing two goals in a minute and then having Michael Doyle sent off, the task was becoming a bridge too far and Rangers looking to extend their lead in every attack.

paul hartley after losing 7 at ibrox

I have no complaints, the best team won on the day, we didn’t get started we go a goal down after a minute and we didn’t play today in the way that we can play. That was the disappointing thing, credit to Rangers they got the perfect start and you could see our heads going down. I have no complaints about the score line I’m just disappointed in the fact we never performed the way we can and have over the last 18 months, that was the big thing for me today. I thought we had a chance today but credit to Rangers, you have to give them it – they were the better team by a mile.
I could scratch my head looking for answers the bottom line is we never turned up, we lost bad goals, we never defended well, when we had the ball we gave it away, we didn’t create enough chances – it is not the case of blaming one individual, it was a team performance which went badly wrong today. We need to bounce back, it’s about character now, I didn’t go through my players I was calm, I don’t think it was the right time to go through them, but I will now look for a reaction from them to show a bit of character and not to feel sorry for themselves, nobody else will, we will need to suffer this result over the next few days, people will question us and say what went wrong , so we have to be big enough to stand up and be ready to go next week – the league is a really important thing for us, we are in a nice position, but I need to make sure now that my players bounce back. The sending off was for a punch and he deserved to go, I spoke to the referee at the end just to see what it was for because I couldn’t see from where I was sitting. He had been playing well, but he shouldn’t be doing that and he must take responsibility, the last thing we needed was to go down to ten men when we were up against it, a rampant Rangers team, we suffered and he will now miss the next couple of games. The opening goal took a deflection, a bit of spin on the ball, but we didn’t start the game well, if we had kept in tight for the opening half hour, we might have given ourselves a chance but when Rangers got that first goal you could see them relaxing a little bit, the pressure was off, cause they have been coming under pressure in the last few weeks but we gave them a brilliant start to the game. I felt sorry for our goalkeeper, cause it is not nice for seven goals to past and I said that to him, but defenders, midfielders or forwards never helped him out.
I couldn’t see that result coming today the way that we have been performing since the start of this season and even previous to that, we have been solid defensively, we have looked good as a team and unit, even after the first goal went in I just wanted us to settle back into the match, but we didn’t get into a rhythm until about 30 minutes into the game and then we were 3-0 down, it was then a question of shutting up shop a little bit, we came out in the second half and had a bit of a go in the opening 20 minutes and then we lost the fourth and looked to damage limitation, I can’t explain it.
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Alloa Athletic v Albion Rovers

“The Wasps” recorded their biggest victory of the season against an Albion Rovers side who had won their previous league fixture against Arbroath 4-0. Alloa  manager Paul Hartley was delighted to collect another three league points, their 3rd league victory in a row. Some of Alloa’s direct attracking play was a joy to watch, with the 5-1 scoreline not flattering his side in a game striker Martin Grehan scored a hat-trick, his first for the club.

paul hartley after rovers victory

The first half was really good, at half time I thought we should have been a few more goals up, we played well, we moved the ball well, midfield and forwards looked really dangerous. It was good for Martin Grehan to get a hat-trick, so I am pleased with the performance – it was a bit sloppy after half time when we let them back into the game but I thought we had total control of the game. I don’t want to speak about next weeks game I just think it is nice that we got three points here today. It was a good all round performance by Martin he has been out of the team for a couple of weeks due to me using player rotation – it was good for him to get his goals, the first one was a magnificent finish I was pleased for him he played well today. Mitch Megginson played well in potentially his last game today, he obviously can’t play next week but we will try to do something to get him on a longer term deal. It was the result that we were looking for today. Darren Young missed today’s game after picking up a sickness bug so we left him out today to get his energy levels back up. We will be trying to win as many games as we can and see where that will take us at the end of the season.
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Alloa Athletic v Ayr United

“The Wasps” continued to strengthen their position in the league promotion race with a 1-0 victory over fellow promotion candidates Ayr United. This was Paul Hartley’s sides first back to back victory in the league this season and one no one could argue about, other than it could have been easier if the team had scored that elusive second goal – there were chances Jason Marr, Graeme Holmes struck the cossbar, Mark Docherty had a decent effort but Ross McCord’s late opportunity should have sealed the points long before the final whistle. Ayr United didn’t create much apart from a late Ross Robertson free kick which Scott Bain dealt with but Paul Hartley’s men can be pleased with the three points.

paul hartley after ayr united victory

Very good three points – I am pleased with it. I thought in the first half we passed it well and created a couple of chances. The second half was not as good as the first half but Ayr United are one of the promotion candidates so I am delighted with it. 1-0 clean sheet. We have got a strong squad now as you can see with the players we had on the bench and one or two that were left out – I am pleased with the way things are going but there is a long way to go. That’s the end of he first quarter of the season, 16 points is okay. I don’t look at other results I am only concerned with what I do and what the team does I am pleased with the three points – the players worked very hard today. I know they can play a lot better but in the meantime it’s about winning the game.

I thought we defended pretty well and were not under a lot of pressure – I think Scott Bain had maybe one save to make and that was about it – it was a comfortable day for Scott,which he is pleased with and the back four – I was delighted with the way they performed and the goal keeper – a great three points for us. We try and work on set pieces and the players know what they are doing and they have been doing it for the last year or so – they have not got all their rewards from it – I was pleased that the set piece worked and long may it continue. We need to get focused now for Albion Rovers next week. I know how they try and play and we will be a match for anybody on the day. I am pleased with the overall performance and the three points. I didn’t want to risk Darren today, but he came through ok – I was pleased with the two youngsters today – when they come on – I told them it was a team effort. I think it is important to have contacts –
Nicky Low only joined us on Thursday so he has to get used to the way we play. I have every faith in the players we have, it has been a good day.
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Forfar Athletic v Alloa Athletic

“The Wasps” ended Forfar Athletic’s six game unbeaten record in a five goal thriller at Station Park in a game which was a credit to open attacking football. Both teams were direct and looked to get the ball down and play on Forfar’s new 3G pitch which will be officially opened next Monday in a match against Aberdeen.

Although Alloa opened the scoring in the 7th minute, they could have been two down in the opening minutes such was the pace of this game, Scott Bain making two outstanding saves to keep “The Loons” out. The opening goal came when a ball was played through to Thomson who looked to go round Souter but was hauled down, penalty, but no further action against the keeper. Ryan McCord slotted home the penalty, his first goal of the season, in a game he looked but to his best.

As happens in many football games, an equalising goal came swiftly in the next minute scored by Danny Denhlom. Mitch Megginson on his debut was trying to run at the Forfar defence with Thomson a tireless back up. In 21 minutes Jason Marr scored his first goal for the club rising to head home Docherty’s cross ball. In the second half Forfar had a lot of possession but the Alloa defence looked resolute until Danny Denholm scored his 2nd goal of the day with about ten minutes left. Neither manager looked to settle for a draw and Ben Gordon headed home another set piece to put “The Wasps” back in front in a game which  was a great advert for Scottish football, Forfar again went close with a shot which struck the crossbar and came down on the line and even later Graeme Holmes and Kevin Cawley had great chances to increase “The Wasps” margin in victory.

paul hartley after win at forfar

I thought in the first half we played well – in the second half we knew that they would come at us and they put a lot of high balls into our defence but we coped okay with it – disappointed that we didn’t get back in, great resilience and great desire not to get beaten we were trying to win the game it was good the two centre halves scored, this was due to good deliveries into the box at set pieces – a great three points I think it is important especially going into the break that you like to win. A great three points it is not an easy place to come to, they have been flying high so we are delighted to get the victory. Two goals from corners was pleasing, as I said It is all about the delivery and the movement and hopefully the ball goes in – it is not rocket science, I didn’t introduce anything different I just told them to try and get good delivery into the box, go and attack it see if you can get your head on it, have a bit of desire and we did. I am pleased with the three points. I was pleases with the first half the way we played , we knocked the ball about well and we looked as we could score every time we went up the park , having said that Scott Bain had two brilliant saves right at the start of the match and on another day it could have started differently, but that is what he is there for, we know he is a fantastic young goalkeeper , still learned but has a great future ahead of him. Mitch Megginson came in for his debut and had a fantastic start, he tired in the second half due to the fact he has not played competitive football for a wee bit but he was a bright and sharp up front with “Tommo” and we had great attacking options on the bench, I wanted a victory today and was positive in my team selection.
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