Match Report

Annan travelled to Forthbank on Saturday, a ground traditionally where their record is poor and on the back of three successive defeats, but the re-arranged Annan team won to end a miserable run of results.

Annan always looked to be in control of this match against a disjointed Stirling Albion side and once Annan went ahead in the 11th minute they always looked in capable of grinding out the victory against a Stirling side who conceded again in the 69th minute but an injury time consolation goal from Dominic Docherty took the polish out of a good Annan performance.

It was a re-arranged Annan line up with manager Peter Murphy dropping Ayrton Sonkur to the bench and slipping Ryan Sinnamon into the back four at right back with Scott Hooper taking up the central defensive role. After conceding an early corner kick Annan started the half on the front foot and they were rewarded in the 11th minute when Scott Roberts well struck shot was deflected into the net by the Stirling Trialist. It was just the start Annan needed after their recent run of defeats. The promising start continued and Ryan Sinnamons free kick from 20 yards went narrowly past the target.

Stirling forced a couple of corner kicks and Ross McGeachie’s effort in the 18th minute narrowly missed the target. It was however a good period from Annan and when Tommy Muir made a good run on the edge of the box the danger was averted with a poor cross.

Stirling tried hard to break down the Annan defense forcing a couple of corners and it took a brilliant save from Jonny Jamieson to deny Cameron Thomson in the 30th minute. Minutes later Tommy Muirs attempted effort narrowly missed the target.

Annan started the second half forcing a couple of corners, the second of which fell invitingly for Muir whos header was saved by Callum Ferrie.  Moments later Ryan Sinamon went close with a well struck shot.

Stirling made a couple of changes in an effort to get back into the game. Kyle Bradley conceded a corner and from the resultant corner Annan once again had to rely on Jamieson who saved Kyle Banner’s header.

At the other end of the park shots from Muir and Wallace tested Callum Ferrie in the Stirling goal. It was a good period from Annan and in the 69th minute they scored the important second goal. Chris Johnston ended a good run with a ball into the path of Tommy Muir who slipped the ball into the path of Tony Wallace whos low left footed shot gave Ferrie no chance.

Stirling made their last change moments later bringing on Reg McClaren for Kevin Moon, Annan brought on Ross Fergusson for Tommy Muir in the 82nd minute and Fergusson was unlucky to see his header from Scott Hoopers cross tipped over the bar by Ferrie.

Minutes later Max Wright replaced Tony Roberts as Annan looked to see the game out and with 2 minutes remaining Aidan Smith replaced Scott Roberts.

Stirling had the last say however in the second minute of injury time when Dominic Docherty found the corner of the net with a low right footed shot which beat Jamieson low down.

Stirling Albion –Callum Ferrie, Ross McGeachie, Jordan Allen, Jason Marr (Mark Stewart 54 min),Trialist, Kevin Moon ( RegMcLaren 70 min), Danny Jardine, , Peter Macdonald (Kyle Banner 54 min), Kevin Fell, Cameron Thomson, Dominic Docherty Subs not used Cameron Binnie, Ronan Hughes, Neil McLaughlin..

Annan Athletic – John Jamieson, Scott Hooper, James Creaney, David Wilson, Owen Moxon, Kyle Bradley, Chris Johnston, Ryan Sinamon, Scott Roberts ( Aidan Smith 87 min)Tommy Muir (Ross Fergusson 81 min), Tony Wallace ( Max Wright 85 min). Subs not used Trialist GK, Ayrton Sonkur, Peter Murphy .

Referee – Chris Fordyce ​Assistants – David McGeachie and Paul Timmons.         Crowd 502

In the other SPFL2 matches Edinburgh City maintained their impressive form with a 2-0 victory over Queens Park at Hamden a result which keeps them at the top of the table, Peterhead remained hard on their heels with a single goal victory over Berwick Rangers and Clyde defeated Elgin City 4-1, Albion Rovers recorded their first point of the season away from home at Cowdenbeath.