Alloa Advertiser | Sport | Alloa right back in play-off fight

Saturday, 5th July, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 23rd April, 2008 12:00

Alloa right back in play-off fight

By John Simpson

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Kyle MacAulay opened the scoring for the Wasps in the hard-fought match.

Airdrie 1 v 1 Alloa

THIS commendable performance at Airdrie on Saturday projected Alloa right back among the promotion hopefuls.

When you consider that Airdrie have beaten the Wasps three times earlier this season this was an excellent show from Allan Maitland's boys.

An early goal from Kyle MacAulay was the perfect inventive and, in the ensuing exchanges Alloa refused to give in to a side already secure in a play-off spot. Even when Kenny Black’s side pulled level in 59 minutes Alloa fought like tigers to hold on to a point.

A happy manager Maitland summed up his feelings at the finish when he said, “Our workrate was magnificent and when Airdrie scored this gave us the incentive to get a result.

“Both teams had scoring chances but this was really a great day for us. We are all hoping we can beat Berwick on Saturday to give us a play-off place.”

With Sandy Hodge brought in to replace suspended captain Derek Fleming the Alloa boys found themselves having to defend early as the hosts pushed strongly for an early goal.

Stuart Holmes and Marco Andreoni had close-range shots before Alloa keeper Ray Jellema rose high to punch a dangerous cross clear.

Hodge lobbed on a promising ball forward to the Airdrie box in five minutes but before MacAulay could reach it, keeper Stephen Robertson dashed out to gather.

Jellema sprang to action against saving a low shot from Stuart Noble with the Diamonds looking the livelier side at this point.

But Alloa should have been in front after 18 minutes from a lovely through ball by Fraser Forrest but Scott Agnew headed just past the right post.

The home fans were silenced however in 24 minutes, Agnew’s free kick to the box nodded on b y Forrest for MacAulay to head out of Robertson’s reach and into the net from six yards.

John Grant’s 22 yard drive two minutes later looked like doubling Alloa’s advantage but Robert Donnelly managed to block the effort.

Alloa should really have scored again but Agnew sent wide of the right post after pouncing on a long ball from Jellema.

Now moving well, Alloa tried once more but Brown Ferguson shot wide of the right post with Agnew then heading wide of the upright.

The pie and Bovril stalls were well patronised during the interval as the fans sought warmth on a bitterly cold afternoon then it was back to the second half action.

Forrest did well to clear from Holmes in an early Airdrie raid then Chris Townsley knocked a Rikki Waddle effort for a corner. Holmes took the kick but Noble turned the ball over the top.

Andreoni thought he had equalised in 53 minutes b but down went Jellema to save near the post.

Equaliser

But the home boys did go level three minutes later, Bryan Prunty driving strongly past Jellema from 12 yards. Andreoni was then a shade unlucky with a well hit 23 yard drive which flashed wide.

Airdrie were in top gear now as Prunty crashed a well-hit shot off the left post from just outside the area.

But Alloa were by no means finished – substitute Andy Ferguson’s shot was blocked and a strong shot from Grant sneaked past the right post in 65 minutes.

When the home boys regained their earlier sharpness a Noble cross was turned for a corner by Townsley. Grant post possession to Andreoni in 78 minutes but fortunately for the Wasps he drove too high from 25 yards.

Five minutes later Jellema produced his best save, throwing himself over to deny Noble the winner near the right post. Defender Paul Lovering was now looking dangerous down the left but he did not quite get the better of David McClune who was doing very well.

So that was it – a point each, but a well earned one for promotion seeking Alloa.

AIRDRIE. – Robertson, Smith, Lovering (Watt 87),McDonald, Smyth, Donnelly, Andreoni, Prunty, Russell (Waddle 12), Holmes, Noble. Subs. not used: Campbell, Gillies, Hollis.

ALLOA. – Jellema, McClune, Hodge, Forrest, rant, McKeown, B. Ferguson (Buist 86), Brown (A. Ferguson 69), Agnew (Scott 72), MacAulay. Subs. not used: Coakley, Bruce.

Referee. – Mike Tumilty).

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