Alloa boss Barry Smith was happy to start with a win in pre season but he was even more pleased to get his players vital minutes on the pitch in the 2-1 victory over East Stirling.

The game was won with goals from two trialists and the gaffer was impressed by the desire of those players looking to earn a contract with the club for the coming season.

The Wasps manager says the club will now begin to ramp up the intensity of their play and sees the Oban Tournament this weekend as the perfect chance to experiment with his squad.

Smith told Advertiser sport, “Next Saturday we play in the Oban Tournament, I have never been to it before, I know the club has been quite a few times in the past. I think it is good for the players because they get plenty games and everybody gets a chance to play and I can try different formations and see what works, so it is a good tournament to have in the middle of pre season and get ready for our last two games of our pre season.

“We tried to give everybody 45 minutes for fitness reasons, it is always pleasing when you win but it is more about the fitness at this stage getting the team in shape and match fit. The players did come back in good condition but that is different from match fitness. All the players who come here and play as “trialists” need to be worthy of a contract and I will decide over the next couple of weeks but the boys who played did themselves no harm.

“We were looking at the East Stirling game more in terms of fitness and they all looked as if they were fit in terms of getting up and down the park – it’s just the sharpness we are now looking for – and that will come with more games. It’s pre-season so we don’t read too much into results. While it’s pleasing to get the win, it is more about getting them match fit for the first game of the season.” The 40-year-old former Dundee star is aware that Arbroath will be dangerous opponents after the two sides were