Reaction

A defeat at home is never pleasant, especially when the side had recorded two victories and one draw at home in the league this season, it was not a result which could have been predicted, but Albion Rovers took their chances winning 5-2, the first time “The Wasps” had lost five goals in a league game since losing 5-1 to Rangers in the Championship on 16th August, 2015 and the biggest defeat by Albion Rovers, since they defeated “The Wasps” 6-2 at Recreation Park on 25th November, 1978 in a Second Division match.

Although “The Wasps” played well in spells, poor defending was to cost Alloa in this match. Rovers importantly scored the first goal as early as the fifth minute through a Connor Shields header which gave them the confidence they have shown by winning all their league matches away from home this season. Two down at half-time the next goal would be again important and it was the visitors who scored their third goal of the game. The Alloa players never gave in and goals from Kris Renton and Scott Taggart had them right back in the game at 3-2 down.

But Alan Trouten’s second goal of the game, his 13th already this season only nine minutes later was a killer and worse was to follow ten minutes from the end when substitute Joao Vitoria made it 5-2. Albion Rovers had been solid in defense with their keeper Graham Bowman pulling off some remarkable saves, especially one from a point blank Kevin Cawley header at a crucial time in the game. “The Wasps” will now need to focus on their next match against Arbroath at Gayfield next Saturday, knowing that Dick Campbell’s side won 6-2 away from home against Stranraer at the weekend.

jim after conceding 5 to albion rovers

It is a very difficult result to take, but if you defend they we defended you are going to get punished it is as simple as that. I think Albion Rovers have had six shots on target and managed to score five goal, I think we had fifteen shots and only managed to score with two. Their goalkeeper was excellent but I am making no excuses because our defending was appalling, so therefore we must take it on the chin.

I think we created opportunities, Kevin Cawley had a great header in the first half and their keeper made a wonder save, then we got it back to 3-2 we looked as if we were going to get ourselves right back in the game and maybe get something from it but their fourth goal was a killer and the fifth one comes from us really chasing the game, we were going a bit gun ho, I take full responsibility for the result, it is unacceptable at home to concede five goals or indeed in any game it is not acceptable but particularly here at home I’m really disappointed, it might sound stupid but I thought we played ok going forward and we did create a number of opportunities but fair play to Albion Rovers they took their chances when they became available .

It’s our first defeat at home after two wins and a draw, I don’t mind losing games but it’s the manner in how you can lose them – If you lose 1-0 or 2-1 you can put your hands up but to concede five is going to take a bit getting over. We and will sit down tomorrow and watch the game back, see where we can make improvements, because we do need to improve things defensively there is no doubt about that, we have conceded far too many goals already up to now, we do look like we can score, that’s what we said at half-time at 2-0 if we get the next goal it gives us a great chance but to concede the third goal as we did was incredible. We need to pick ourselves up there is no point feeling sorry for ourselves – you can see how the league is, it is such a strange league that – Stranraer win 4-0 last week and then lose 6-2 at home this week, every team in the league is capable of beating each other, Raith Rovers and Ayr United are certainly looking strong at the moment and it looks like the rest will be scrapping it out for the Play-Off’s.

I’m the manager, I pick the team, I pick the formation, I have brought the players to the club so it’s my responsibility and I’ll do everything I can to turn things around and get us back on track next week, we have another big game coming up next week against Arbroath at Gayfield and we will go again.