Season: 2013-14

Alloa Athletic v Hamilton Academical

“The Wasps” defeated league leaders Hamilton Accies to gain a vital three points, proving on their day they are a match for any of the sides we have played already this season in the new SPFL Championship. Hamilton in the first half, showed just how good a team they are and Paul Hartley’s men had to show great concentration to keep the league leaders from scoring. The incident which was to change the game all appeared to be in slow motion, Jason Marr’s netbound header went past the keeper and Alex Neil, instinctively saved the ball, preventing a goal, which was missed by the referee and far side linesman, after the Alloa players appealed and the referee took a tumble, the standside linesman confirmed what had happened – Alex Neil was then sent off and Ryan McCord scored the resultant penalty. In the second half the ten men of Hamilton still had their fair share of possession but “The Wasps” used the extra width and space and took the game when possible to the visitors but were denied a cushion of a second goal, Kevin Cawley came closest but headed over from a good position. Iain Flannigan made his Alloa debut and fitted in well, Paul Hartley’s side played football and defended well when required.

 

paul hartley after defeating league leaders

This is a great three points for us because they are the league leaders and they had been unbeaten until now so we are pleased about it. A clean sheet for us as well was a nice bonus for us. Obviously, the sending off changes the game but I thought we defended really well, we were resolute and then we hit them on the break in numbers at times. Those three points were vital for us. We were pleased to get back on track after two league defeats in a row but we know things are going to be a little bit up and down this year for us in the league. We just need to try and show a little bit more consistency now. I thought overall we were worthy winners and I am delighted because they are a good team, they pass the ball well and they are at the top of the league for a reason. So it is pleasing to be the first team to beat them in the league this season, we know we are hard to beat here at Recreation Park. I praised the guys in the dressing for how well we limited them in terms of chances. They tested us with a lot of cross balls and played from back to front a lot but I thought the back four and especially the two centre backs stood up to the threat well. When you then have a keeper like Scott Bain behind you just mop things up, then it was very comfortable. This win sums everything up about our team, it is all about how well we have done so far and I have to give the players credit. They work hard every week and they thoroughly deserved the three points. Bouncing back from the Raith Rovers game was hard having played so well at Starks Park, but that’s what happens in football. No one gave us a chance in this match but I always felt with the group of players that I have here that we had a chance of winning and that’s exactly what we did. Luckily for us, the linesman on the near side had seen the penalty incident because the referee missed it. It was a stonewall penalty and a sending off as the ball was going in anyway.
1 - 0
Full Time

Raith Rovers v Alloa Athletic

Football can be a very unforgiving sport and in the new SPFL Championship, Alloa Athletic know they will need to take their chances as they strive to consolate their position this season in a higher division. This was a very open, hard fought game which turned in the home sides favour after Alloa striker Andy Kirk, missed a great opportunity with 16 minutes of the game remaining which would have put “The Wasps” back in front at a stage in the game when they were looking the more likely side to go on and win the points. There will be no easy games in this league and Raith Rovers will have known they were in a game, but the players once again could not be faulted for effort and will need to pick themselves up for the visit next Saturday of league leaders Hamilton Accies to Recreation Park.

 

paul hartley at starks park

Andy Kirk’s chance is a big moment in the game and it looks easier to score but there is nothing you can say about it. The lad was distraught about it in the dressing room after the game – he knows he should score – but that’s the way it goes sometimes. You go through your career and that is what life is like for a striker. You miss chances your a villain but if you score you’re a hero. Andy has been in the game long enough to know that but he is still very disappointed and I am not going to criticise him. I think the game turned on that moment a wee bit and gives Raith a lift. We done well to get back into things at various points throughout the match. I thought it was a really good game of football. We came here, tried to have a go and were positive. We score a really good first goal and they come back into it and get their goal when we fail to stop the cross. I am disappointed with that because we had worked on it all week to deal with Cardle when he comes inside to keep him in his left foot but he got inside and puts in a good ball which evades everyone and goes straight in. We then started the second half sloppy and then we fought back again and get our rewards with the penalty. We were on the ascendency when they got their goal and then they hit us on the break when we are trying to chase the game. It comes down to stopping crosses again so we have to go away now and analyse the goals that we conceded and see what we can do better. With their fourth goal, we got caught out trying to go for it – yes we must do better –  but I have no regrets because we’ve got to have a go and that’s the way that we play. Every one game is a tough one in this division and obviously Hamilton next up will be no different. We have to just keep at it, we have a squad of players and that’s what we have to work with and I cannot fault them for their effort or attitude. We maybe just have to be a little bit more street wise at times. Calum Elliot is a good player and we knew he would be a handful in the game having had him in our squad last year. We know his qualities – he holds the ball up well and brings other players into the game – he scores a terrific goal from his point of view but for us it is poor defensively. On the other hand there is loads of positives to take into the next game. We have come to a tough venue, scored two goals and we try and play the right way. We have created loads of chances so we will try to keep that going next week.
4 - 2
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Dumbarton

“The Wasps” lost their unbeaten home record in the league this season, going down to another penalty kick. not for the first time the season Alloa have lost a game by the tightest of margins, having conceded at penalty after gaining the initiative in the second half of this match. Dumbarton had opened the scoring in time added on in the first half, but in the second period, Alloa took a strong hod in the game for the first time and derservedly equalised through Stephen Simmons, at this stage in the game it was the home side who were calling the tune, but ex Alloa keeper Jamie Ewings was to make vital saves which keep his side in the game before they snatched the vital winning goal after Jason Marr had fouled Andy Graham in the box. Alloa again pushed for an equaliser, but found Jamie Ewings in top form dening his old club.

 

paul hartley after defeat to dumbarton

I was happy with our second half performance, but I didn’t think we got going in the first half, the second half we did put them under pressure far more pressure especially their back four and we got our rewards with a great set piece and a great finish, I thought we were on top at that time but we gave away a penalty, you just can’t make tackles in the box, we have conceded three penalties already this season – by diving into challenges, that we shouldn’t be making and we were punished. We then had to chase the game a bit after that, but I thought we came out strong in the second half and were on top for large spells. The lead up to the winning goal it was never a free kick on this side but sometimes you don’t get these decisions, but Jason Marr went into a challenge in the box which was punished, you cannot make these challenges unless you are going to win the ball, but we just need to move on. James Creaney had to go off with a badly bruised ankle – so we will have to assess him over the next couple of days and see how he is but we have a fairly strong squad and we have an equal replacement in Jason Marr.  Every game is tough in this division there is no easy game but we knew that when we came into the league so we will be well prepared and go again on Tuesday when we train and will look forward to the game on Saturday against Raith Rovers at Kirkcaldy, where we will look to be back on our game.
1 - 2
Full Time

Queen of the South v Alloa Athletic

“The Wasps” gained their first point on the road this season, but it was at a cost, with Eddie Ferns likely to be sidelined for a couple months after fracturing his jaw in a collision with Queen’s keeper Calum Antell. In a game where there was little direct saves for either keeper to make, the visitors, Alloa Athletic came the closest to scoring in a game where one goal was likely to be enough to secure the victory. Andy Kirk was the man who went closest to scoring, firstly with a header in early in the game and later he had a net bound shot which needed to be tipped round the post. Paul Hartley gave a debut in the second half to 19 year old Alex Salmon who has joined the club on loan from Carlisle United, the youngster showed flashes and good speed in a game he only met his new team mates prior to kick-off at Dumfries.

 

paul hartley at dumfries

Is it a good away point or an opportunity missed? A bit of both, we got no shortage of effort but chances were limited. It was not a classic game, we did well, being away from home, and it was another clean sheet for us, we have a real strong mentality at the way we defend as a team, there was not many clear cut chances today, but we probably had the best of them, however I think it was a better away point for us and our first point on the road this season.  I think we have started the season pretty well.  Following the mid-week game against Aberdeen which went to extra time and penalties I think our players kept going and their attitude was again fantastic, to not get beaten, which we showed again today, we defended really well, we tried to break in numbers and we tried to pass the ball even though it was not a classic game it was probably a better point for us than Queen of the South being the home team. Unfortunately I think Eddie Ferns will need to go to hospital as he possibly has a broken jaw, young Alex Salmon, the young lad that came in did well.  I think we have a strong enough squad at the moment and will look to get more players in January time if necessary.  We have a great group of players there that work so hard for each other- to go to Aberdeen through the week play 90 minutes and then extra time we had a clean sheet and that is what we are calling the clean sheet mentality.  I said to the guys at half time maybe one goal will win the game both teams tried to have a go and get the goal.  I will now give the players plenty of time off as I think they deserve it, they have played well, we will train on Tuesday and then they will be off for a short spell.
0 - 0
Full Time

Aberdeen v Alloa Athletic

If fortune is meant to favour the brave then someone forgot to read the script at Pittodrie on Tuesday evening. Paul Hartley’s men performed wonders on the pitch to match Aberdeen for 120 minutes: a side tipped to be ‘the best of the rest’ in the SPFL Premiership this season. But in a cruel twist of fate, the Wasps were to suffer the agony of defeat on penalties after a Michael Doyle miss allowed Mark Reynolds to smash home the winner and send his relieved side through to the next round of Scottish Communities League Cup.

Hartley made one change to the side that beat Cowdenbeath last weekend – Jason Marr replaced the ineligible Declan McManus – as the Wasps switched to three centre backs in a 5-4-1 formation. Aberdeen played a full strength side with Jamie Langfield returning from suspension in goals for Aberdeen.

Alloa started the brighter of the two sides and almost took a shock lead. A combination of some excellent skill and a long searching pass from Stephen Simmons put Kevin Cawley in on goal but Dons defender Mark Reynolds did well to deal with the danger.

The home side had their first chance of the match when McCord tripped the lively Niall McGinn on the edge of the box but Pawlett’s kick was straight at Scott Bain. Aberdeen began to take control and had a sustained period of pressure that led to a double chance.

First from a corner, Russell Anderson headed the ball back across the face of goal and it was met by the onrushing Reynolds but he couldn’t keep his header down. More sustained pressure from the Dons saw the ball break to Pawlett on the edge of the area and his stinging drive produced a cracking one hand save from Bain in the Alloa goal.

The Alloa back three of Ben Gordon, Jason Marr and Daryll Meggatt took it in turns to make some vital blocks and tackles as Aberdeen tried to crank up the heat towards the end of the first half. Alloa then hit their hosts on the counter attack and some great work from Cawley and Simmons produced their first corner of the match on 32 minutes. McCord’s kick found Ben Gordon free in the area 12 yards out and his looping header looked destined for the top corner but Langfield got across to tip onto the crossbar to deny Alloa a glorious lead.
Stephen Simmons and Graeme Holmes then began to win the midfield battle to take the sting out of the home side’s momentum. This restricted them to a few long range Pawlett efforts that were high and wide on both occasions. Pawlett then carved out one final chance for the Dons at the end of the first half when he wriggled free from Doyle down the left but his cut back was brilliantly cut out by the sliding challenge of Marr with Calvin Zola waiting in the box. Aberdeen came out all guns blazing in the second half and they immediately had a penalty claim after McGinn went down under a firm challenge from Marr in the area but the referee correctly waved it away after the Wasps stopper won the ball. Aberdeen huffed and puffed for a spell with loads of possession but they struggled to breakdown a determined Alloa side who grew in confidence as the half went on. Kirk got on the end of another superb long range pass from Simmons and won his side a free kick on the hour mark. McCord took a clever set piece short to Cawley who then dummied the ball to Simmons but his shot whistled just past the post. Former Alloa loanee Nicky Low came on to replace the injured Willo Flood and he managed to test Bain from range on a number of occasions without success. A nasty collision between Daryll Meggatt and Johnny Hayes saw the Dons forward stretchered off after a long delay in the match. This did Alloa no favours as the Dons got their composure back after play resumed and McGinn again threatened Bain’s goal from range but this time was off target. As we entered the final fifteen minutes of the match, surprisingly it was Alloa who looked the more likely to score a winner as Hartley introduced Eddie Ferns in place of Andy Kirk. This allowed Alloa to get further up the pitch and attack Aberdeen at will on the counter attack as the game became stretched. Ferns caused all sorts of problems in behind with his pace and he linked up brilliantly with Holmes to create space but his effort was blocked before Simmons follow up effort was deflected clear for a corner. Alloa ended the ninety minutes on top with a trio of chances firstly Meggatt’s 20-yard free kick was blocked before Cawley burst through but his cutback went harmlessly across goal. That man Ferns threatened once again when he beat Reynolds down the right and whipped in a great cross but Anderson did well to cut out the ball. The game went to extra time and it was the very least the Wasps deserved. Derek McInnes must have had a few choice words for his players at full time because they looked a different proposition in the first half of extra time. Low stung the palms of Bain from long range and he could only spill the ball straight out in front of him but Ben Gordon spared his blushes with a brilliant clearance as Zola followed up. The Alloa back line were put under incredible scrutiny throughout extra time but first Meggatt then Marr both denied the home fans a late winner with superb last ditch tackles. Alloa had the final chance in open play when Ferns got inside Anderson on the right wing but his vicious cross was just too high for the onrushing Kevin Cawley. So to penalties and the first ten spot kicks were all converted as Holmes, Ferns, McCord, Gordon and then former Dons star Darren Young all scored to take the shootout to sudden death. But there was to be no fairytale ending for the Wasps when Michael Doyle’s kick was brilliantly saved by Langfield down to his left before Reynolds followed up with the winner to break Alloa hearts. A heroic display from Paul Hartley’s men and one that will stand them in good stead for the remainder of the season in the SPFL Championship.
Match Report – Graeme Lafferty, Alloa Advertiser

It was heartache for “The Wasps” for the second time last night as Paul Hartley’s side lost out at Pittodrie eventually 6 – 5 on penalties with another “Young Wasps” team having lost earlier in the evening 4 – 2 to East Stirlingshire on penalties in the local Stirlingshire Cup. Paul Hartley’s side pushed their Premier league opponents all the way in the match, gaining confidence as the game went on and having chances to win on the evening. However after ninety minutes and a further 30 minutes extra time the match went to penalties, from which Derek McInnes side progressed to Thursdays Third Round draw.

Penalty Shoot Out
1 – 0 Graeme Holmes
1 – 1 Niall McGinn
2 – 1 Eddie Ferns
2 – 2 Nicky Low
3 – 2 Ryan McCord
3 – 3 Peter Pawlett
4 – 3 Ben Gordon
4 – 4 Ryan Jack
5 – 4 Darren Young
5 – 5 Scott Vernon
5 – 5 Michael Doyle (Miss)
5 – 6 Mark Reynolds

 

paul hartley at pittodrie

We created some good opportunities at times and I was proud of the players. This is the highest level for our guys, we are part time and I only get to work with my players two nights a week. Some of them had to take an afternoon off of their work and will be back there tomorrow morning so that shows you the kind of commitment they have. We pushed Aberdeen all the way and we had a clean sheet again. Our three centre backs were great even although we changed our game plan a little bit. Aberdeen had us watched three or four times in the build up to the game, so we switched to a back three just to nullify that advantage and we matched Aberdeen all the way in terms of fitness and ability at times. I think when it goes to penalties then it is a wee bit of a lottery at times. I can have no complaints though, all the penalties were good then Langfield makes a good save. In penalties we always have a hero and sometimes a villain and it just wasn’t to be for us. I thought overall we were fantastic. The group of players were great as a unit, we defended well and then attacked well. Now we need to keep that going for the rest of the season. We could have had a big upset tonight but it just wasn’t to be. We have to pick ourselves up for Queen of the South on Saturday and do it all over again because we have to do that if we want to stay in the division. The game on Saturday is reason enough for the players to pick themselves back up. This tie is over and done with now and we have to look forward to going there to Palmerston and trying to get three points.
0p - 0
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Cowdenbeath

The Wasps moved to third place in the division after their second home victory of the season with manager Paul Hartley insisting home form this season will be so important in keeping “The Wasps” in the right end of the league table. Having gone ahead early in the second half, Cowdenbeath hit back within five minutes to equalise and later struck the crossbar, showing how difficult all matches will be in the Championship. Alloa fought back and after going close, Andy Kirk put the home side back in front after good work by Kevin Cawley. Eddie Ferns then sealed the victory in the closing minutes, using his great pace to get into position and fire home the winner.

 

paul hartley after cowdenbeath victory

I am delighted, it was a good three points, I thought we deserved it.  We took control of the game in the second half but even in the first half we still had good control and lots of possession.  We took the lead early in the second half but they equalised soon after, but it was the reaction of our players which was excellent today.  We are doing okay, I have always said that our home form would be important and that is two wins from two here.  The players are great they are a great bunch of lads – they work ever so hard for each other and were disappointed at conceding a goal today.  We have a tough game on Tuesday night now.  Andy Kirk’s goal to put us back in the lead was a good strikers goal, Kevin Cawley did brilliant to set him up – when Andy Kirk is through on goal you always fancy his chance to score.  We have a good variation of set pieces and teams are struggling to cope with it – it’s hard work in the training ground which is good to see it paying off.  We know set pieces will be vital for us this season – we have good variations we do not just lump it into the box and try and work things to create good situations.  We now have two tough away games, we will look at the Aberdeen game first which is the next game ahead on Tuesday night for us, so I will have the players in for light training on Monday evening and then try to pick a team which will give Aberdeen a tough game.  I will try and set my team up to be as positive as I can and try to win the game – there should be a big crowd at Pittodrie.  Aberdeen had a disappointing result today so I am sure their manager Derek McInnes will be looking for a re-action from them.   It is a good stadium and our players who have not played there, should enjoy he occasion – I am looking forward to it, going there as a manager, but the most important thing is that the players go and express themselves and show that they can play.  Our back four and goal keeper are vital for us and we know this season there will be periods when we come under pressure, but we need to stand up well by blocking things and putting our body on the line, the players were still disappointed to lose a goal today, but the spirit they showed to win the game will be vital this season.
3 - 1
Full Time

Dundee v Alloa Athletic

A last gasp penalty winner for promotion favourites Dundee was a cruel end to a game “The Wasps” certainly deserved a point. Indeed having weathered strong Dundee pressure in the opening 20 minutes of the match, it was Paul Hartley’s team who should have gone ahead, Andy Kirk crossed for Ryan McCord to time a great run into the box, but his header was tipped to safety by the home keeper. At this stage of the game Alloa were dominent and James Creaney went close with long range effort and then the Dundee defender, Iain Davidson was caught trying to play the ball out of play at the byeline and the alert Declan McManus robbed him and passing inside to Andy Kirk but his goal bound shot was deflected over for a corner. In the second period Dundee did come back into the game and Scott Bain produced a great save from Martin Boyle, “The Wasps” were sitting deeper but looked in no danger, until the penalty decission two minutes into stoppage time robbed them of a deserved point.

 

managers at dens park

Our attitude and commitment were tremendous but the penalty at the end just killed us, I’m gutted for the players. The players work ethic towards today’s game was first class,  I can talk about tactics but it is the players, the quality we have, their attitude at not wanting to get beat was first class. Coming away from home we know it is always going to be difficult, Dundee are the favourites, they have a good squad of players, we came here with a game plan to frustrate them in the first twenty minutes and I think we were doing something right when you hear the home supporters booing their players off the pitch at half-time!

 

We knew they would come at us in the second half, we withstood the pressure, our defenders were great, the work ethic by the players was terrific – I’m proud of my players today. I think we will be ok in this division, we are new in the league, we are a wee bit unknown – we have now ran Dundee close twice already this season, if we can play like that every week I think we will have a good season, I know what I get from my players, I know what I get from them – but I am a bit gutted for them today, the way they played I’m proud of them. What we have being trying to do in training, is we work close in shapes that suits us – against Dundee in the Ramsdens Cup in the opening game of the season we played in a different shape, today we played more in a style of play the players have been used to over the past two seasons, it did work and the players looked happy in that system, we were flexible and were able to revert back to match up against them if it wasn’t working, we were under pressure in the second half and Scott Bain pulled off a fantastic save but other than that he had very little to do and that’s good at a place like this. We will need to defend as a team at times over this whole season.

 

Next week we will take positives into the Cowdenbeath game at home which is one of our “Bread and Butter” fixtures this season – we are at home, I have always said that home form will be important, if we do well at home, we will then give ourselves a chance.

Paul Hartley, Alloa Athletic FC Manager

The main thing today was to get a win, but full credit to Paul Hartley and his players, it was another tough game they gave us, they made it equally as difficult in the Ramsdens Cup – a part time outfit, well organised who made it very difficult for us. We never really created a great deal, I still have a few players getting used to each other and I have to realise everybody’s gunning for us, so to get the win, it was a stonewall penalty kick and the game lasts ninety minutes so as well as we played in the first period, during the first twenty minutes, then we let it go, but came back strong in the second half, made the changes that probably made the difference – Martin Boyle is pretty direct, wee Jamie Reid came on along with Stephen Doris physical presence it caused a problem, he managed to win the penalty and Kevin McBride converted it well. Happy just to get the three points, and it’s a clean sheet, my goalkeeper made a great save in the first half and if that had went the other way it might have been a one goal game – just happy to pick up the three points and get some points on the board.

John Brown, Dundee FC, Manager
1 - 0
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Livingston

Alloa Athletic showed excatly the fighting spirit which will be required as “The Wasps” embarked on their league challenge in the new SPFL, the victory over Livingston was the start Alloa manager, Paul Hartley was looking for, in a season when home form and results will become so important. The game was decided by a solitary goal, Stephen Simmons slotting home after a great cut back from Kevin Cawley had created the space for the “Simmy” to score the all important goal. Andy Kirk did have an early opportunity to open the scoring but struck his shot in a manner it allowed their keeper to block. This is the first time “The Wasps” have defeated Livingston in a league game since they replaced Meadowbank Thistle in the league back in season 1995/96. Livingston came back at “The Wasps” in the second half and even a red card for Ross Docherty for two bookings, did not appear to stop their determination for an equaliser, the woodwork coming to the rescue – but Alloa stood resolute and might have extended their lead late on.

 

paul hartley after defeating livingston

It was a very pleasing win for us in our first game in the Championship. You never know how it is going to go but we were solid with a clean sheet, a 1-0 win and we are off and running. I think our home games are going to be important for us this year and we will try to get as many points as we can. The players were fantastic in terms of effort and they had some good quality about them so we are pleased to get the win. It was a great ball for the goal from Michael Doyle, some great work from Kevin Cawley to get the cut back as he is always on the move and Stephen Simmons is in the right place up supporting, as midfielders should be, to supply a great finish but I think we deserved it in the end. Andy Kirk had a great chance when through on their keeper and showed some good composure to create the chance but he probably hit it too well and gave the keeper the chance to block, but he was excellent for us with his hold up play and his experience for young Declan McManus was beneficial. I thought as a team we had some great moments and there are a lot of positives to take from the game. We find ourselves joint top of the league and if we can stay there for another 35 games that would be great!  All we can do is try to hold our own in this league and hopefully we can surprise a few teams. We are unknown and everyone has us down as the favourites to get relegated and I think that will suit us. The starting eleven was very strong but I had a bench full of kids for this game. If we can get the missing players back fit then we have a strong 18-man squad. I am delighted for the guys because their effort is fantastic and they give it everything every week.

The Dundee game next Saturday is not a worry for me. I don’t fear anybody. We will go and have a go and be as positive as we can. We will set the team out properly and hopefully we can get a result. Three points for us though, today against Livingston, when other teams haven’t picked up any is a boost and we will try to pick up as many as we can. Scott Bain was great for us again, he is the best young keeper in Scotland without a doubt. I keep saying it and he has shown his maturity over the last couple of years with exposure to first team football and he was outstanding again today against Livingston as keepers need to be at this level. We are up another level this season, and he is going to be called upon a lot more. We want to keep our better players at the club but we are not here to stand in their way either. We want our players to progress, we had an offer for Scott Bain in the summer from a SPFL Premiership side which we turned down because we hold him in very high regard and the offer wasn’t good enough. He has a fantastic future ahead of him and I have absolutely no doubt that Scott can go to the very top of the game.
1 - 0
Full Time

Peterhead v Alloa Athletic

Alloa Athletic manager Paul Hartley was delighted to break his cup record and progress to the next round of this season’s Scottish Communities League Cup, this was after a 2-0 victory for “The Wasps” at a very windy Balmoor Stadium, Peterhead. The last time the sides met in the League Cup in Season 2001/02, the then CIS Cup, Alloa Athletic had won 4-0 at Recreation Park with goals from Ian Little, Harry Curran, Stevie Thomson and Richard Walker, this game was always going to be closer, however “The Wasps” progressed thanks to goals from Ryan McCord and Andy Kirk in the second half, when Alloa had the wind at their backs.

 

paul hartley after winning 1st cup tie

The main thing was to get through the tie today and I am delighted to have won.  The conditions were very difficult with the strong wind, especially In the first half when we never really got started, we couldn’t get our passing game started in the conditions but credit to Peterhead they pressed us high up the pitch, which we knew they would because we had already played them pre-season.  In the cup you just want to get through and we managed to do that today, it was good for Andy Kirk to get his first competitive goal for the club which clinched the victory after Ryan McCord had put us ahead from the spot. It was a great debut from young Declan McManus he was absolutely terrific and helped us reach the next round.  The monkey is off my back having never won a cup tie with Alloa in the last 7 matches.  We are now looking to get a good home tie in the next round of the cup.  In the first half our strikers had little to feed off but in the second half with the wind behind us we had lots more possession.  Declan was a real handful and he keeps working, he never stops, you can’t teach that to a player.  I am sure he will get his fair share of goals, he was a little unfortunate today.  Personally, I would like a glamour tie at home, one of the big teams where we would get a big crowd and see if we could go out and shock somebody.  Just to get that result today is great as it has been playing on my mind a bit – a run of seven cup games without a win.  We are looking forward to our first game next week in the Scottish Professional Football League Championship and we will work on a few things during the week before we face Livingston, but we are just pleased to be playing in this division and we will give it a real go.  We still have a few players missing, still a couple carrying knocks but I would be hopeful to have a few back for next week.  I am ready to go!
0 - 2
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Dundee

There was little between the sides in this Ramsdens Cup Tie, indeed Alloa could have been ahead in the first half, John Brown’s side I’m sure would have been happy to get to half-time level. In the second half Dundee came back into the game but it took a penalty to separate the teams, certainly not one in the stonewall category. The Wasps battled hard against a team which will be favourites for the new SPFL Championship title for 2013/14, and had to start the game without Jason Marr, Darren Young and Iain Flannigan, while Ryan McCord and Graeme Holmes had only had 45 minutes pre season match play and were still short of match fitness.

 

paul hartley after ramsdens cup tie

I thought in the first half we were excellent, we passed the ball and dominated possession, played in the right manner, played from the back, had a couple of chances, could have went in at half time one or two up but we knew Dundee would come back at us and they pressed us high up the park in the second half and we couldn’t get going, it was a we bit scrappy – but overall for me Dundee are the bench mark this year and we have shown that we can compete and we can play, we won’t be scared of anyone that is for sure. We had set out to match up with them, I have watched them pre season and they play a back three, the games I had seen them they had killed teams because they were playing a different system, and I thought I would match up, I have worked on it all week and our game plan worked well, it stopped their better players and allowed us to cause them problems. We would like to have won the game it took a penalty to separate the teams, our players will compete this year , we will be underdogs every single week in the league campaign. I was pleased with our performance, we have set ourselves a standard and we must keep to that for the full season. Every game is a though game there is no easy games, we have known that, next Saturday we will go to Peterhead – but one thing I want to do as a manager is will a cup game and get the monkey off my back, I haven’t won one yet. No disrespect to the Ramsdens Cup but the League Cup is more prestigious, if we win next week we would what a big tie, we know it will be tough up at Peterhead, we have already played them pre season, but it would be nice to win. Loads of positives to take from today’s game, I am pleased with the attitude of the players , they looked fit, although we are part time we matched them all the way, I’m proud of them.
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