Published: Thursday, 8th November, 2007 12:30
Wasps bid to extend unbeaten run
By John Simpson
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EVEN if Ayr United should manage to beat Alloa Athletic at Recreation Park on Saturday they would not move above the Wasps near the top of Division Two.
But Alloa are hoping that is an issue they will not have to worry about if they continue their excellent run with a victory over Brian Reid’s side.
The Somerset Park side, who drew 1-1 at Berwick at the weekend will be remembering their 2-0 victory over Alloa on 1 September and hoping to be able to do likewise this weekend.
But manager Reid – a former Rangers player – knows only too well of the improved form shown by Alloa since then, which has now extended their unbeaten run to seven matches.
They nearly took a tumble at Glebe Park at the weekend, however, where Brechin held them to a no scoring draw in an end to end game.
When the home boys piled on the pressure in the second half they looked like taking full points but could not get the ball past Ray Jellema.
The Alloa keeper, who joined up at the Recs at the start of this season from Hamilton, was described in at least one Monday morning paper as having intenational potential.
High praise but not entirely impossible, for the keeper had his best game of the season so far.. His judgement at cross balls, reaction to shots long and short and domination in the box gave his defence confidence as well as leaving Brechin without an answer.
He received praise too from City manager Michael O’Neill who said at the end, “Jellema had four really great saves today to prevent us winning.
“Alloa had been dangerous on the break but I felt we were the only team who looked like winning the game. In the same fixture last season we would have won but there were a lot of positives for us, one of which was our first clean sheet this season.”
So the Wasps, despite not producing their best, did well to take a point.
Their manager Allan Maitland said, “That was a nothing game today against a Brechin team who fought hard.
“I am disappointed by the way we played, showing no real quality at times. But on the positive side our keeper Ray Jellema made three really good saves which helped to keep our good unbeaten run going”
This week the Wasps have been playing Camelon Juniors in a closed-door friendly which gave Maitland the opportunity to test some of his players recovering from injury.
John Grant who missed the Brechin game because of flu should return on Saturday. Ross Clark is also hopeful of a return with Graeme Brown already easing his way back after injury, coming off the bench at Glebe Park.
Striker Andy Ferguson is also improving following a knee injury but not quite ready yet.
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Alloa pick up first away point