Match Report

After a disappointing start to their Cinch League Campaign Annan recorded their second league win of the season with an impressive  victory over Stirling Albion at Galabank on Saturday.

Man of the Match Steven Swinglehurst 

It turned out to be a game of 2 halves with Annan romping into a 2 gaol lead in a 90 second bust midway through the opening half with goals form Chris Johnston and a belter from Iain Anderson.

The second half was different with Stirling taking the game to Annan and managing to pull a goal back from a deflected Kutis Roberts shot before Tommy Goss rounded off a superb victory for the Annan team with an 84th minute stunning finish.

Right from the off Annan took the game to the visitors Dominic Docherty’s 16th minute header for Chris Johnston’s cross never really troubled Blair Currie in the Stirling goal. The came the opening goal in the 21st minute when a through ball from Tony Wallace caught keeper Blair Currie in 2 minds and it presented an opportunity from Johnston to go round the keeper and finish with a cool lob into the net.

90 seconds later Annan right form the kick off capitalised on some slack paly by Stirling when Ian Anderson won the ball and drove into the heart of the Stirling defence to finish with a scintillating left foot shot form the edge of the box with left the Stirling keeper routed to the spot.

Stirling looked rocked and Annan deservedly took a 2 goal advantage at half time.

The visitors took to the field early for the start after what was presumably a half time rollicking for their manager and Annan had to defend the second half as Stiling’s neat play ultimately fell down on the edge of the box against a well organised Annan defence. Aidan Smith’s well struck shot from the edge of the box tested Currie in the Stirling Albion goal.

Keiran Moore’s 55th minute effort went high and wide of the target,Tommy Goss was introduced in the 67th minute and almost immediately he headed narrowly over the bar from an inviting Jordan Lowdon delivery.

Stirling eventually got the goal, although it carried a little luck on the way which saw Kurtis Roberts low shot from the edge of the box getting a deflection which sent keeper Greig Fleming the wrong way. It was now game on as Stirling pressed forward backed by their vociferous fans. It was however Annan who had the last say when the Strilig defence got caught with a ball played over the top which left Jordan McGregor and Tommy Goss to fight for the ball and it was Goss who turned the defender to finish with a glorious strike into the roof of the net to give Currie no chance.

This was an excellent and well deserved victory from Annan, Stirling never really left their mark on the match and could have little complaints about the outcome.