Alloa 1-1 Edinburgh: Alistair Roy earns point for Wasps

Alloa hosted the struggling Citizens at the Recs on a day that the Wasps controlled from start to finish, forcing Edinburgh’s Aidan McAdams into a number of impressive saves.

The Wasps made a number of changes from the last league game against Annan the previous week.

Tochukwu Ogayi remained in goals behind a back three of Scott Taggart, David Devine and Josh Debayo, with Morgyn Neill dropping out of the starting eleven.

Euan Deveney came in for Cammy O’Donnell on the left wing, while Steven Buchanan kept his place on the right from the SPFL Trust Trophy clash against Rangers B.

Steven Hetherington and Kurtis Roberts started in central midfield, with Taylor Steven dropping a bit deeper in the role normally occupied by the injured Stefan Scougall.

Starting up front for Alloa were the two newest signings Ally Roy and Bobby Wales, who formed a strike partnership leading the attack.

Throughout the first half, the only thing missing from Alloa was a goal, with first-class play from the Wasps giving them plenty of chances.

Edinburgh’s Aidan McAdams similarly put in a first-class performance, denying the Wasps on a number of occasions that they looked certain to score on.

Scott Taggart had a rocket of a strike saved by Edinburgh’s number 25, latching onto a corner from Taylor Steven and launching it towards goal.

McAdams kept Edinburgh in it for a large portion of the first half, on a day where Alloa could have went ahead by two or three before the break.

“We undoubtedly [deserved more today],” Rice told Advertiser Sport. “I thought that was a first-class performance, we created loads of chances and had some really good play.

“Their goalkeeper has had five or six really good saves. I can’t ask any more than that from them.

“Last week, I said that’s not how a team of mine play – today was more like how a team of mine should play.

“On another day, we could go and win that game 5 or 6-2. It wasn’t to be today but the amount of chances we created, the good play we had, that was progression.”

Edinburgh took a lead just after the hour mark, with Robbie Leitch catching onto the ball and sending it for the far corner of Ogayi’s goal.

It had all been against the Citizens throughout especially in the second half where they didn’t have much of the ball but took their chance when it came around.

Alloa came back into the match quickly after, with new signing Alistair Roy glancing a header into the bottom corner to bring the Wasps level.

Roy joins Bobby Wales as Alloa’s latest signing, coming in on loan from East Kilbride and Kilmarnock respectively.

Rice praised them for their performances and link-up play, being a constant threat in front of goal.

Rice added: “Bobby turned up this morning, he hadn’t met any of the lads before and Ally had only had one session.

“The two of them linked really well and the full team played really well today, we played really, really well.

“We made a mistake and it cost us a goal but if we keep playing like that then we’re on the right track.”

Roy and Wales coming in pads out Alloa’s squad to a good size, bringing the total squad number to just shy of 30.

Nathan Cannon, meanwhile, has gone out on loan to Benburb FC in the West of Scotland League, while Luke Rankin spends time at East Stirling.

The bigger squad will provide essential cover for Alloa should they incur injuries or suspensions as they look to move higher up the table.

Rice continued: “It gives us a good squad, it gives us a squad that we need in this league.

“You pick up injuries, you pick up suspensions, people going off of form and you need to fight for your place.

“Like I said, on another day, we could go and win that game handsomely but their goalkeeper gave a first-class performance today.”

The draw against Edinburgh moves Alloa up a space into seventh place, tied with Annan on points but ahead on goal difference.

Next up for the Wasps is a trip to Montrose, who stand in fourth place after suffering a late goal from Falkirk, who sit atop League One.