Youth and experience on show in friendly

Published 7 Jul 2010 12:23 0 Comments

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Bryan Prunty was on target in Alloa's closed door game against Albion Rovers.

THE opening friendly match of the new season at Recreation Park on Monday between Alloa Athletic and Albion Rovers was very encouraging for both sides.

The 1-0 victory for Alloa was probably merited on the evening, considering the sharp attacking play in the second half from Allan Maitland's boys, which left him and his management team smiling at the finish.

A mixture of youth, experience and most of the new signings on show, indicated there could be some good football to be seen at Recreation Park in the new season.

The Alloa directors who watched the match - Ewen Cameron, Mike Mulraney, Martin Ross, Bobby Hopkins, Pat Lawlor and George Ormiston - are all hoping the lads will carry this on at the Oban Tournament on Saturday.

Rovers defender Alan Beaton made a good early clearance from Wasps new boy Aaron Sommerville but home debutant Mike Dunlop had to knock out for a corner when visiting hit man Chris Boyle homed in on goal.

Andy Scott took Alloa off strongly from midfield but could not break into the box. Stuart Noble and David Gormley then looked dangerous but Rovers boy Steve Canning drove just wide of former Airdrie keeper Steve Robertson's post.

John Grant was moving well in the home midfield with Scott Walker, Mark Brown and Kevin Macdonald giving excellent backing.

Gormley almost netted for the Wasps in 26 minutes but his drive was deflected round the post.

But Chris Hamilton was not far out with a looping shot for the visitors which keeper Roberson saved.

Gormley tried once more then with two minutes of the first half remaining Stuart Noble sent in a wide pass from the right but Scott could not finish inside the box.

Howevever, with only two minutes gone in the second half Bryan Prunty moved in for a left wing cross to blast in the only goal.

Alloa second half keeper Jamie Ewings - joining the club from Albion Rovers - prevented his former club from equalising with a lovely save, which was one of three he made before the match finished.

Dougie Wilson, now looking fully recovered from his ankle problems, was moving sweetly, his quick bursts and tidy passing giving Rovers some anxious moments. He came near to netting in 78 minutes but his nice clip from a right wing cross went narrowly over the bar.

Another top game came from young defender Ross Philp who looked sharp, controlled and almost ready for his first team chance soon.

Declan McAvoy, Jamie Hay and Jason Thomson were also catching the eye, so overall this was a good chance to see what Alloa have waiting to break through.

Albion Rovers finished fifth last season in Division 3, just outside a play-off place. Their manager Paul Martin said, "Everyone has done well at pre-season training. We look fitter than last season and I am confident at the way the squad is looking."

ALLOA POOL - Robertson, Ewings, Dunlop, McClune, Philp, Brown, Walker, MacDonald, McAvoy, Sommerville, Grant, Gormley, Hay, Wilson, Prunty, Lister, Kerr, Thomson, Gormley, Scott, Noble.

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