Published: Wednesday, 27th January, 2010 10:14am
Home wins are vital in title challenge
by Iain Robertson
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Bryan Prunty hit the net on his debut against Stenhousemuir.
ALLOA Athletic manager Allan Maitland insists his side must win their home games if they want to win the title.
Arbroath visit Recreation Park on Saturday, and with the top two sides - Cowdenbeath and Stirling - playing on the same day, it is a big chance for Alloa to pile the pressure on.
Maitland told the Advertiser Sport, "If we have ambitions to win this league we must try and win our home games.
"Cowdenbeath play Stirling at the weekend and something has to give there, so three points against Arbroath could potentially see us sitting in second place come Saturday night."
Alloa have struggled against teams below them this season.
Home defeats to Stenhousemuir, Arbroath and Dumbarton have left them struggling to keep in touch with the top two sides at times.
The Wasps will hope they can put that right and build on Saturday's win at Stenhousemuir by beating the Red Lichties for the first time this season.
Arbroath left Recreation Park with the spoils last September when John Grant's hand ball inside the area saw the Alloa man sent off and Brian Scott dispatch the resultant penalty, while the Wasps blew a two goal lead at Gayfield last month in a 2-2 draw.
Just like the Stenny game then, it is case of trying to get the three points at the third time of asking, and Maitland believes his new signings could be key.
He added, "Bryan Prunty, James Bloom and David Gormley have given the whole place a real lift and bringing them in shows that we are trying to win this division."
Arbroath will be just as desperate to pick up the points, though.
They are sitting second bottom of the league and manager Jim Weir knows his side must start winning games if they are to avoid relegation, and quickly.
Weir's side lost at home to Peterhead in the league on Saturday 4-1, but will hope they can continue their good form against Alloa when they make the long trip south.
But they will be up against a new look Alloa front line this time around who will be confident they can breach the division's leakiest defence.
Wasps fans will hope hit-man Bryan Prunty, who made a goalscoring league debut against Stenny, will continue his flying start and help the side to an important three points.
