Reaction

Kevin Cawley was the Alloa goal hero against Stranraer, his late header was the only goal of the game as the striker notched his 7th goal of the season and his 45th Alloa career goal, a victory which sees “The Wasps” maintain their winning form, which they want to keep going into the end of season play-off games.

Stranraer were never going to make the fixture easy having being on a good run of form and still looking to consolidate their position in the league for next season. Indeed it was the visitors who came closest to opening scoring when Michael Donald’s header was brilliantly saved by Neil Parry.

Graeme Holmes captained the Alloa Athletic side, marking his 200th first team start for “The Wasps”, taking his first team appearances, including substitute appearances to 226 a fantastic achievement.

jim goodwin after late winner

Another good win, that three back to back and two clean sheets as well, so delighted, especially with the second half performance, we were really poor in the first half, I would need to credit to Stranraer who I felt were the better team in the first half. Neil Parry made a brilliant save from Michael Donald header at 0-0 and it proves to be vital in the end, but the boys were much better in the second half, we passed the ball better and looked very dangerous on the break, delighted also for young Adam Martin who came on, a young boy who has come through the academy at the club, he is hopefully only one of the young players coming through the academy system and he is one we have great hopes for, he has great potential, he showed it against Brechin City when we won 6-1 and does great for our goal today, stands off the full back, a jink off the shoulder and a pin point cross for Kevin Cawley to head in the winning goal, Adam is still only 18 but he is only one of two or three players who are progressing through the Academy at present which is good for the club and they are all champing at the bit to be given an opportunity.

Defensively I thought we were great we looked solid, but our frustrations at half-time were due to how sloppy we were in possession – it looked as if Stranraer had something to play for and we didn’t, that’s the impression I got in the first -half . We made a wee change tactically at the start of the second half and demanded a little bit more from each other and you could see that in the second half. Defensively I have to give credit to my two centre backs, defenders and Neil Parry with two back to back clean sheets, at a very important time of the season.

At this stage of the season it is all about keeping the momentum going until the play-off’s, next Saturday we go up to Peterhead and we will go up there and try to win it, trying to keep the confidence high. Delighted for Jordan Kirkpatrick to be nominated in four players short listed for “Player of the Year” for Ladbrokes League One, sixteen goals from midfield is great at any level, there is no doubt “Kirky” has been a fantastic player for us, he can be a match winner on any day, he has scored some important goals for the club, and when Jordan plays well, we tend to play well at the same time. Brilliant for “Holmer” to make his 200 first team start for the team today, in this day and age you don’t always get that type of loyalty from players.