BINOS HIT THE ROAD
Season kicks-off with trip to Shielfield
Stirling Albion begin their Ladbrokes League 2 campaign with a trip to play Berwick Rangers at Shielfield tomorrow.
The Binos are setting out on their fourth consecutive season in the basement, having lost to Peterhead in the semi-finals of the play-offs in May.
Dave Mackay’s men are one of several sides hoping to be involved in the promotion battle although Clyde and Peterhead are firm favourites with the bookies.
Stirling completed their Betfred Cup campaign with a 3-1 defeat at Dunfermline on Saturday but will take encouragement from their performance and the 2-0 success at Peterhead the previous week.
Berwick failed to pick up any points in their section, losing to Airdrieonians, Annan, Hamilton Accies and Livingston, and have yet to score a goal this season. Robbie Horn’s men were eighth in Ladbrokes League 2 last time out but had a reasonable home record.
Mackay’s small squad is stretched for the trip across the border – defender Kyle Banner and midfielder Kevin Moon are both suspended while Darren Barr and Darren Smith remain on the sidelines through injury and Lee Hamilton has been struggling with a foot problem.
The Binos boss is still hoping to add two players to his squad but it looks unlikely anything will happen ahead of the weekend, although on-loan Dundee keeper Calum Ferrie may be added to the 18 for the Berwick match after sitting out the Betfred Cup ties.
Mackay said: “It’s not ideal starting the league season with so many players missing but the guys have done very well in the last couple of games.
“Darren Barr’s knee surgery went well and hopefully he’ll be back about the end of August. Darren Smith is still struggling with a back problem but we are hoping that an injection might ease the pain and discomfort he is feeling.
“Kevin Moon’s suspension is carried over from the end of last season, which is fair enough, but it’s frustrating that Kyle Banner is out. He was sent off in the Youth Cup back in February but because he is now too old for that tournament the suspension has been applied to the league games.
“Hopefully we can get off to a good start but the important thing is to show more consistency over the season. We couldn’t have started better last year but two bad spells cost us the chance of challenging for the title at the end of the season. There were plenty of positives in the Betfred Cup but it’s all about how we do in the league – the aim is to be right up there.”
Albion won 1-0 on their last visit to Shielfield in March, thanks to a goal from Andy Little, but went down 1-0 to the Borderers in December. Kick-off tomorrow is 3pm and the referee is Chris Graham.