Season: 2021-22

Airdrieonians v Alloa Athletic

Alloa have definitely had better afternoons.

Two former Wasps struck early with Callum Smith making a tidy run in behind, which was well picked out by McInroy, slotting underneath David Hutton to give the Diamonds the lead in just the second minute.

Calum Gallagher would prove tenacious enough to overcome Mark Durnan as both raced to the right channel from a hopeful long ball – but the Alloa goalkeeper, ill advisedly, charged out to leave himself in no mans land and Gallagher netted from a wide angle into the open goal.

Alloa’s best chance of the half would fall to Henderson. Gilmour picked out the advancing full-back Taggart, and he pinpointedly crossed to the on-loan Hearts striker. However, leaning back, he could only blaze over from inside the 18 yard box.

At half time, changes were necessary and they were delivered. Cameron O’Donnell was sacrificed for Conor Sammon while Fernandy Mendy replaced Andy Graham.

Hutton was called into action early by Gallagher with a low save but the loudest shout came from the Airdrie fans calling for an indirect free-kick after Hutton collected the awkward touch of Mendy.

But ignoring that early blip the changes were creating uncertainty for the Diamonds. With Sammon and Henderson, playing up front together. Sammon  was free to exploit the channel, and with a stepover drive towards the Airdrieonian’s goal. But even with the brilliant  build-up he could only screw his finish past the 6 yard box past the relieved Curry.

On 50 minutes, Durnan headed what looked to be a lifeline goal, but he strayed a yard offside in the build-up and accurately had his effort chalked off. Just 10 minutes later Alloa would kick themselves for not scoring when on top.

On the boundary of the 18 yard box, Kerr McInroy unleashed a piledriver through a crowd of Alloa players. The precision finish smashed the top corner of the net and added to the increasing mountain that Alloa found themselves under.

4 minutes later, Euan Henderson returned to goals via Church’s deep free-kick and Durnan’s aerial ability. He tapped home at the back post to give Alloa a possible foothold to bring themselves back in the game.

However, things looked grim minutes later, as Easton tripped over Cawley’s leg and was duly awarded a penalty. McCabe stepped up to spot kick duty. Although Hutton guessed correctly, he was beaten but the CB could not beat the bar and it ricocheted back and out of danger.

Easton was again a menace as he collected from a corner on the edge of the box. His first effort was blocked but the second attempt on his left foot was wickedly dipping towards Hutton’s goal. It rattled to post and bounced to safety as Airdrie threatened from a series of dangerous corners.

Easton would again strike the woodwork after a quick Airdrie counterattack culminated in two quick feints opening the space for a daisy cutter but the number 10 failed to convert again.

Alloa did land a golden opportunity after Adam King’s cross was fumbled by Currie after colliding with one of his own defenders. Senna was first to the ball although a myriad of Airdrieonian’s defenders blocked his route to goal he dinked it up and over for Sammon to finish. The Irishman couldn’t direct the effort goallwards with the ball harmlessly landing on the roof of the net.

Henderson would almost half the deficit with a late consolation after Mendy’s terrific dink  but Currie just managed to slap away the chance of the brace and the unlikely Alloa fightback.

After results elsewhere, we drop to 8th, picking up just two points of a possible eighteen and eight points in the last ten games.
3 - 1
Full Time

Cove Rangers v Alloa Athletic

Today’s game seemed in doubt just 15 minutes before kick-off due to the heavy fog but Alloa and Cove played out the contest despite the conditions.

Alloa’s best period came early in the heavily compromised period of visibility with Mouhamed “Sena” Niang testing McKenzie from the edge of the Cove box. Cove set up in a very narrow formation and it seemed to suit Alloa who constantly could support through their full backs. But Vigurs injury and the introduction of McIntosh appeared to widen the Cove threat and blunt the Wasps rampaging wing backs as the half wore on. They did however deal well with the intelligent interplay of Megginson and McAllister who received no change out of the centre back pairing of Graham and Durnan. But again as the opener remained elusive for the Wasps, 5 minutes before half time, they were again pegged back by a rocket. Jamie Masson who scored in the Wasps’ last encounter against Paul Hartley’s side, fired another in to rival his last minute winner in the Wee County. This time it was a deft side footer which perfectly found the top corner past the outstretched Hutton from 20 yards.

Alloa’s second half went from bad to worse as just before the hour mark, a Durnan non-challenge elicited a penalty on McIntosh, which seemed especially harsh on replay. The referee consulted and awarded for Rory McAllister who’s been imperious from the spot to step up and solidify the blues’ lead. Mitch Megginson would add late insult to injury too with a pinpoint curling finish finding the top corner and condemning Alloa to a dour 3-0 defeat on the road.

Alloa’s poor run of form continues – Cove stretch their lead at the top – but Alloa need a Christmas pick me up before a tough two weeks on Boxing Day and the 2nd January.
3 - 0
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Clyde

Alloa stuttered against lowly opposition again, despite doing everything but scoring.

We were looking to arrest a run of just a single win in 5 while Clyde were looking to add to what has been fairly good recent form.

The Wasps were the early creators with Boyd firing wildly wide after gathering a deep free kick. Henderson was almost worked in for the opener but could only rebound his shot off Page in the heart of the Clyde box.

David Goodwillie reaffirmed his credentials as the Clyde dangerman with a winding run but as he worked the opening in the 18 yard box he could only muster a tame effort into David Hutton.

Alloa would have a couple stramashes in the box with set pieces looking like they might break the deadlock but nothing would fall cleanly. Durnan, late into the half, passed up a glancing header from a corner, which was as close as either team came to opening the scoring in a fairly quiet forty-five, albeit one where Alloa looked to start turning the screw on Clyde.

In the second half, Jones, Mortimer and Goodwillie made a rare breakthrough but again the Clyde forward could only roll home straight at the Alloa goalkeeper. Barring the early scare, Alloa did indeed pick up where they left off and were soon battering the Clyde goal.

Parry made a point blank save from Steven Boyd after Robertson’s cross met him outside the 6 yard box. The winger only managed to hit the former Wasp in the chest which was enough to divert the ball wide for a corner. From the resulting set piece Boyd almost whipped the ball straight in but for the intervention of another former Alloa hero Mark ‘Sparky’ Docherty heading away. A neat bit of interplay between ‘Sena’, Boyd and Henderson almost worked the opening for a shot from the on-loan Hearts forward but his touch just nudged too close to his Clyde markers who made the intervention.

Mouhamed ‘Sena’ Niang then exchanged a fantastic one-two-pass with Boyd to free himself in the box but whether the midfielder screwed his shot wide or went for a cutback to the onrushing Henderson the golden opportunity was wasted. Clyde promptly counter attacked and while Alloa seemed to have gathered their numbers, a ridiculous driven effort by Ally Love found the bottom corner from 25 yards. Hutton was at full stretch but the ball nestled squarely in the side-netting. Despite the deficit of possession and opportunities Clyde had the lead.

It would hold for the remainder of the game. Scougall would be the only man to beat the Clyde stopper although he failed to defeat the post and Alloa would test Parry through Gilmour and later Cawley but in all honesty struggled to work a golden opportunity. Seemingly cursed to never connect with the frequent flashed balls across the Bully Wee box, Clyde draw level with the Wasps on points with only goal difference favouring the Wee County’s finest to hold 6th position.
0 - 1
Full Time

East Fife v Alloa Athletic

Alloa limped home from a freezing day in Methil with just a point after a 1-1 draw and another red card.

The Wasps almost were ahead after 5 minutes when Scougall sliced wide of the target. Alloa captain Andy Graham had flicked it goalward from a long throw but the diminutive midfielder couldn’t direct his effort.

Alloa again threatened 13 minutes in as Cawley smashed high over the bar. King had made a brilliant run into the channel and found Henderson with his first-time cross. The on-form forward controlled and rolled into the path of the Wasps legend but a bounce just before contact thwarted the potential opener.

East Fife did cause plenty of problems in the box as they won a succession of corners from the 17th minute. Higgins connected with the corner and sent a strong effort on it’s way toward goal but for the intervention of Jon Robertson. It would break for Davidson on the edge of the box but he scooped a long strike well over the bar.

Stefan Scougall almost produced the opener as his quick-thinking free-kick smashed the post from a wide angle. Seeing the East Fife goalkeeper leaving his front post for what seemed more likely to be a cross. Scougall curled almost to perfection but could only find the outside curve of the woodwork.

Adam King won the ball back just inside his half and found himself charging down the right as Alloa’s furthest forward attacker. He pinpointedly found Cawley with a cross field switch. Cawley laid off Mouhamed ‘Sena’ Niang but his attempt to place it in the bottom corner and emulate his excellent finish against Bonnyrigg, only swept wide of the East Fife goal.

That was the sum total of chances in the first half – which undoubtedly was a disappointing return after the high quality display the Wasps produced in last week’s Scottish Cup exploits. But, the Wasps reacted well after the break.

Henderson started the injection of pace with a driving effort from outside the box turned away by only the fingertips of Jude Smith. Andy Graham would almost loop the resulting corner beyond Smith and Sena would desperately attempt to prod home but to no avail. With the concerted Alloa pressure it would only take a minute for the visitors to break the deadlock.

Adam King arced a high pass over the East Fife defence after the Fifers’ partial clearance from a signature Andy Graham aimed long throw found him on the end of the box. Euan Henderson was quickest to react and almost in one motion took three successive touches to poke under Smith and set Alloa on the way to victory. An 11th goal of the season for Henderson and his 9th in his last 7 Alloa appearances.

But Alloa seemed to get drawn into a similar pattern of being pinned down in their own half and they struggled to build meaningful attacks into the East Fife half. Kevin Smith would volley straight at Hutton but except the stinging hands of the goalkeeper they would survive. What looked like a shrewd professional foul after a slip by Howie gave away a free-kick and a yellow card but Mercer could only place it comfortably into the hands of Hutton. The Alloa center half, however would pick up a second yellow with a mistimed lunge connecting just outside the box. With Howie given his marching orders for the second time this season, the East Fife onslaught was prepped and five minutes later found the breakthrough.

Substitute Connell looped in a cross and while Taggart, successfully beat his marker to the ball, he could only head back to his own goal. Semple was inside the 6 yard box to pounce on the most fortuitous circumstance and smash into the bottom corner.

Alloa would introduce Sammon and Boyd and the two almost combined in the closing minutes but the flick just ran beyond Boyd and gratefully into the on-rushing East Fife goallie. Boyd almost picked out Sammon after a deft touchline dribble cleared space for a driven cross. Murdoch just managed to meet the delivery ahead of Sammon and Alloa were condemned to a draw against the bottom of the table strugglers.
1 - 1
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Bonnyrigg Rose

Alloa produced their most complete display of the season to dispatch the Lowland League leaders at the Indodrill and advance to the Scottish Cup 4th Round.

Bonnyrigg Rose almost produced a goal from kick-off as the Rose flooded Alloa’s back line and Hunter found space in the middle, but before he could pull the trigger Adam King made a vital interception. It would be as close as the hosts got to the Alloa goal all game.

By the 13th minute Alloa had weathered any early nerves and firmly took control of the game. After neat interplay won a corner, Scougall delivered into the box to be met by an audacious and frankly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic-esque flick which perfectly found the bottom corner. Mouhamed ‘Sena’ Niang delivered what should be at least the goal of the Scottish Cup Third Round if not the competition.

The Wasps continued to pull their visitors from pillar to post and on the 20th minute they freed Henderson with another exquisite link-up between him and Scougall. The loanee fired home to set Alloa firmly on the road to victory.

Alloa weathered any second half rally and took control in the second half but struggled to test the goalkeeper Michael Andrews in the Bonnyrigg goal. That was up until the 62nd minute when Jon Robertson rattled the cross bar and Andrews flapped away from behind his line. Robertson was denied a rare goal but Alloa would not have to wait long to extend their lead.

Robertson turned provider, setting up a race between Horne and Henderson. There was only one winner as Euan Henderson stepped inside and drilled down to the bottom corner, with Andrews fingertips not enough to keep out the Alloa marksman.

We’ve had plenty braces from the youngster as he’s racked up goals in this golden loan spell – but there was time and space for a hat-trick. Scougall found space wide, squared to Henderson and getting a fortuitous break of the ball Henderson slotted into the corner to seal the match-ball and to our knowledge a first senior treble. He would soon be replaced by Connor Sammon to receive the plaudits of the Alloa support.

Connor Sammon was not there for show either as he collected from Cawley’s mazy run, and layed into the path of ‘Sena.’ Apparently he’s grown some ice cold nerves as he produced the coolest of finishes to wrap up the scoring and set Alloa up for a 5 star win. The visitors didn’t even muster a shot on target over the 90 minutes and the gulf between the sides was evident for every one of the 513 in attendance.
5 - 0
Full Time
1 - 2
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Montrose

Alloa faced a stubborn test against Montrose at the Indodrill. Kevin Cawley was the only change from the side who held Falkirk to a 1-1 draw last week. Craig Howie dropped to the bench in his place.

Neither side lit the heather in the first half but one of the biggest shouts was after Terry Masson, who had been carded early in the first half, lunged to wipe out Euan Henderson. Henderson somehow got the talking to and Masson somehow stayed on the park.

It didn’t take long for the second to erupt with Alloa carving out a sustained period of pressure culminating in Mark ‘Vinnie’ Durnan battling through his opponent’s grapple and drilling a header past Lennox in the Montrose goal from a superbly delivered corner by Steven Boyd.

Alloa were flying and could have added to their tally as Niang and Boyd both tested the goalkeeper, and again, Steven Boyd really should have gambled on an effort as he dallied on a promising 1v1. Durnan almost doubled his goal tally in the 57th minute as another corner lined up for the captain.
Durnan did deliver the brace with a rerun of the opener, glancing into the bottom corner this time. Boyd, again the provider of the in-swinging corner.

Henderson broke away from an Alloa clearance and almost put the game to bed. However the in-form striker wasn’t pinpoint enough to pick out the top corner and sent his shot a yard over.

Alloa seemed to be cruising but a 77th minute corner was rerouted to Watson who struck on the edge of the box. It seemed to take a wicked deflection off Craig Johnston into the opposite corner anticipated from the stranded David Hutton.

It was a finish that Alloa will curse themselves for as ‘Sena’ Niang conceded possession cheaply, giving away a corner. The delivery was met with a failed clearance, and dropped for Matty Allan. He toe-poked but with Kevin Cawley throwing his body at the ball, he could only inadvertently divert the effort away from Hutton and into the top corner.

No shame in drawing with this strong Montrose side, but a sickening result in the circumstances with Alloa seemingly comfortable for long periods.
2 - 2
Full Time

Falkirk v Alloa Athletic

It was fair to say both teams for the majority of the game effectively cancelled each other at a blustery Falkirk Stadium.

Alloa brought back Robertson at left back allowing Mouhamed Niang to return to midfield in place of Kevin Cawley. While Falkirk showed the early promise the first hair-raising moment of the day was when Henderson burst through and had a low effort palmed wide by Martin. Neither side looked like making the breakthrough as the first half dragged on.

In the second Alloa would get in behind, but Henderson could only scuff a shot off Hetherington’s arm – which noone really batted an eye at. Hetherington cleared straight to Boyd but he miscued and Henderson, while finishing exquisitely, received the ball in an offside position.

Callumn Morrison received a raucous welcome on his return and Alloa seemed to be aware of his pace and sit deeper.

Hetherington almost made the Falkirk breakthrough when he drilled a low effort but the alert Hutton smothered the attempt.

But down the other end, ‘Sena’ Niang and Henderson would exchange the ball releasing the on-fire Hearts forward into a 1v1 with Martin. Aiming high at the net, the Falkirk keeper denied the loanee.

While Falkirk continued to have snapshots, again last ditch defending by Ben Hall denied Sena. Sena was the centre of attention again before the Falkirk substitute Williamson crossed into the box and met Durnan’s barely outstretched arm. Just seconds before the Senegalese was brought down by Hetherington while the ref remained mute but the referee then pointed to the spot much to the chagrin of Alloa and Hutton. Callumn Morrison converted from 12 yards sending Hutton the wrong way and all Alloa’s hard work looked to have slipped away.

Sammon was thrown on for a late intervention and while he didn’t win Durnan’s searching ball, did enough to divert the defender into flicking it into the path of fellow substitute Kevin Cawley. A deft touch onto his left saw Cawley’s effort saved but digging the ball out of his feet and Alloa out of a hole was the in-form Henderson to roll past the outstretched Martin from the rebound.

5 goals in his last 3 for Henderson and Alloa are now 3 games without defeat.
1 - 1
Full Time

Alloa Athletic v Airdrieonians

Alloa bagged another reputable victory over promotion hopefuls Airdrie in a professional performance at the Indodrill.

It was a strange teamsheet with the absence of the incredibly versatile Robertson with Mouhamed ‘Sena’ Niang taking over his jack of all trades title by starting at his left back berth. Henderson came in for Sammon and Hutton returned for Wright from the pleasing win at Firhill over Queen’s Park.

The game took time to come alive with Airdrie shading the early period but Euan Henderson lit up the match after a driving solo run and firm finish broke the deadlock after 33 minutes.

What followed was a ding-dong battle between a probing Airdrie and a counter-attacking Alloa. Craig Watson almost equalising but for an inspired David Hutton while Alloa sliced open the Airdrie back line at the other end and were only denied by the woodwork after Taggart’s missile cross was redirected goal-wards by Kevin Cawley.

Alloa would snap in a second after Boyd headed onto Henderson. The on-loan Hearts striker seemed to waltz into the box, wait and wait but then placed it beyond the Airdrie keeper to double the advantage and add to his impressive League 1 goal haul.

Alloa continued to pass up some cutting attacks but eventually an Alan Trouten misplaced pass on the edge of his own box saw Fordyce smash a deflected effort into the bottom corner. A nervy 5 minutes ensued but Alloa proved no pushovers as Airdrie failed to find the vital goal. Just 4 points from the League leaders now, Alloa are climbing.
2 - 1
Full Time
2 - 3
Full Time