ALLOA ATHLETIC

Alloa boss Andy Graham reacts to Queen of the South win

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Queen of the South 0 Alloa Athletic 2

Andy Graham was delighted that Alloa followed up an "excellent" first League One victory of the campaign with a second at Queen of the South.

After a draw against East Fife, and a narrow defeat at Hamilton Academical, the Wasps picked up their first maximum points haul at home to Montrose, before travelling to Dumfries on Saturday.

They then proceeded to plunder all three from Palmerston, thanks to two goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half, from Josh Walker and Kyle Glasgow.

Graham described his team's display as "professional" and lauded their defensive efforts, which secured a third clean sheet in their four league games so far, and the chances created in the final third.

"The boys played well and deserved to win," he told Advertiser Sport.

"It's not often you go to Queens and that's the case, so, I was really pleased.

"They did really well, so, it's just about keeping building on that momentum now.

Alloa Athletic – Stranraer 11-8-26 (Photo by David Wardle)Boss Andy Graham described his team's display as (Image: David Wardle.)

"The week before against Montrose, I thought we were excellent. I didn't think we hit those heights against Queen of the South, but, it was a really professional performance.

"To go there and concede as few chances as we did - they had one chance in the first half I think that Ross Stewart's made a good save from - but, apart from that, there was not many chances for Queen of the South.

"Whereas, I felt we created quite a few chances throughout the game, particularly in the second half.

"So, lots to be pleased about, and the most important thing for me was following up that really good performance the week before at home to Montrose.

"That's something I felt we didn't do enough of last year. We would have a really good performance, but then not follow it up the next week, so I was really pleased with that.

"Like I say, you don't often go to Queens and come away with a 2-0, and having given up very few chances in the game, so that's the most pleasing thing."

Although the Wasps were without Stefan Scougall, who picked up a knock in training, Calum Waters, and Calum Gallagher, they had more than enough to see off Nicky Clark's men.

Skipper Scott Taggart nodded narrowly wide of the far post early on, before Luke Rankin was denied by home goalkeeper, Deniz Mehmet.

Ross Stewart saved from Brodie Dair at the other end, in a rare first half foray from Queens into Alloa's penalty area, and soon play was back in home territory.

Glasgow had an attempt headed away from goal, before moments later he slipped a lovely ball through for Rankin, who could only watch his clipped effort over Mehmet hit the inside of the far post, and be cleared to safety.

Alloa Athletic – Stranraer 11-8-26 (Photo by David Wardle)Luke Rankin had opportunities to add to Alloa's tally. (Image: David Wardle.)

The opener, though, did arrive for the Wasps two minutes into the second period.

Glasgow provided the assist, holding the ball up and laying it off for Walker, who sent a fine first-time effort beyond Mehmet from inside the penalty area.

The same man came close to a second with a free-kick that narrowly missed the target, but the visitors doubled their advantage in the 55th minute.

Ruari Ellis got an attempted pass outside his own box wrong, under hitting it, allowing Glasgow to pounce and steal the ball.

The talented 16-year-old then kept his composure to take the ball around Mehmet, who had raced off his line, and put the ball into the net for his second goal in as many games.

Glasgow thought he hand another, netting from Walker's cross to the far post, only to be penalised for a foul on Taylor Charters.

Mehmet prevented further damage for the Doonhamers, blocking from Grant Marchant, as did Ellis, who produced a fine challenge to stop Rankin, but two goals were enough for Graham's side.

"We've only conceded one goal in the league, away to Hamilton. Apart from that, we've had three clean sheets," he observed.

"That's the platform, because we know we've got attacking players that can make a difference. We know we've got attacking players sitting there on the bench, waiting to come on and help us impact games.

"We know we're going to have that opportunity to get chances and get goals, but, the platform is having a really strong backline, or not even backline, a truly strong defensive team, and that's what we've got.

Alloa Athletic – Stranraer 11-8-26 (Photo by David Wardle)Alloa have recorded three clean sheets from four matches in League One. (Image: David Wardle.)

"We've got guys that are willing to go and put in the work at the top end of the pitch to stop teams getting territory on us. I think we've done that really well over the four games, is limit teams to not a lot of chances in the games.

"I think that's testament to the group and the way that they're working."

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