Alloa Athletic 3 Stirling Albion 0

Last updated : 23 April 2005 By Footymad Previewer
Alloa's resounding victory over arch-rivals Stirling Albion secured their place in the second division for next season.

The match started with Albion in total control, and they came very close to opening the scoring in the 13th minute, but only some outstanding goalkeepng by Alloa's Gary McGlynn, diving at the feet of Albion striker Paul Di Giacomo, prevented the Stirling side taking the lead.

Alloa came back into the match slowly, and in the 20th minute the home fans in the 921 crowd were astonished when the stand side linesman ruled offside what seemed to everyone else to be a perfectly good goal when Michael Bolochoweckyj was on hand to fire home from close range.

Alloa began to dominate the play against a Stirling side who were slow to the ball and seemed to be lacking enthusiasm, and Ross Hamilton scored a deserved opener for Alloa inthe 44th minute when he connected with a Graeme Brown cross and volleyed home from seven yards pst Myles Hogarth in the Albion goal.

From the start of the second half Alloa were in control and had opportunities to extend their lead in the 51st and 56th minutes. Then Jose Quitongo did just that in the 61st minute when he rounded two defenders inside the penalty box and fired home.

Stirling boss Allan Moore made two changes in a bid to freshen up his side, but neither could prevent Alloa extending their lead to three in the 70th minute when Brown touched on a James Stevenson corner to the feet of Bolochoweckyj, who was standing eight yards from goal and had no difficulty in beating a helpless Hogarth.

Alloa's manager Tom Hendrie was delighed with the result and said at the end: "It's been a long hard season, but I am delighted that we are now safe for next season' s football."