Published: Wednesday, 30th April, 2008 12:00
We have a wonderful opportunity, says Al
By John Simpson
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Graeme Brown will be a key player in tonight's clash.
TONIGHT (Wednesday 30 April) Alloa Athletic will be involved in the first leg of their play-off matches with Clyde hoping to pave the way for a step up to First Division football next season.
The fans are behind them, the directors and management are behind them – in fact the whole town is willing the Wasps to produce their very best form when they battle with First Division Clyde at Recreation Park.
New club chairman Bobby Hopkins, appointed only last week, is extremely excited about the prospect of booking that final place against the winners of the other play-off – Airdrie United or Raith Rovers.
Team manager Allan Maitland had his players in at training on Monday evening in readiness for the big match, giving some last minute instructions before his boys go out to meet Clyde.
He told the Advertiser, “After we got through on Saurday against Berwick Rangers I told our boys in the dressing room if they played like that on Wednesday there would be no chance of us winning.
“But, of course, I will be telling them something quite different before they go into the match.
“I see this as a wonderful opportunity for us to reach the final even although some people say it is too early for us to look at promotion.”
The manager added, “You cannot pick and choose when you go to a higher league – you have got to take your chance when it comes.
“We will be giving this our best shot on Wednesday and on Saturday in the second leg at Broadwood.
“I was with Clyde before so I have no great desire to see them relegated, but if they are, it would be their own doing. My job is to be focussed on Alloa Athletic in these two play-offs.
"My boys suffered badly on Saturday from nerves in the match against Berwick which I feel had an effect on the way they played – but we still won the game.”
Looking over the whole season, the manager said, “We have had six wins, five draws and one defeat in recent matches to bring us 56 points, which is a great return for us. I now want to extend that even further before our season is finished.”
And Maitland knows only too well the value of loyal supporters.
"We have great supporters and I appreciate that. I am sure they will be with us in the two matches against Clyde so we must not let them down."
Meanwhile, injured midfielder Dougie Wilson is to have an operation on his ankle.
The Tillicoultry boy told us this week, “It has been frustrating to be on the sidelines recently but I will be going into King’s Park Hospital in Stirling on 15 May for attention to my knee.”
Speaking about the play-offs, Dougie said, “We will be the underdogs but I know we will have a real go against Clyde because we all want to be promoted.”
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Five will go for next season