Reaction

Alloa Athletic moved up to third place in the Ladbrokes First Division after a 1-0 victory over Airdrieonians, their third back to back victory in the second quarter of the season. There was a minutes silence prior to kick-off in respect for George Ormiston the club’s Honorary President who had died aged 87.

The Wasps took the lead four minutes prior to half-time when Craig Malcolm reacted first in the box to fire home his second goal in back to back matches.

This is a game Alloa will look back on and wonder why they didn’t score more goals such as the chances they had to extend their lead in the second half, including a penalty in the final minute which captain Andy Graham saw being saved by keeper Kyle Gourlay who is on loan to Airdrie from Dundee at present.

Airdrienians best chance of the game came late in the game, Willis Furtado only denied by a Jon Robertson clearance off the line.

As the game went into the final fifteen minutes Alloa looked certain to extend their lead but Airdrie stood firm, with the thanks to keeper Kyle Gourlay, currently on loan to the club from Dundee.

jim goodwin after defeating airdrieonians

We are over the moon at the moment with the form that we are in, three straight wins, I thought we played some really good football today and on another day we could have scored another two or three goals, their keeper made a great save from PJ Crossan when his shot looked to be heading for the top corner of the net, if Iain Flannigan had played a better ball across the face of the goal to Kris Renton and we had another great opportunity with the penalty, but overall very pleased from back to front, we looked solid again at the back, we gave them one opportunity in the second half where Neil Parry had to make a crucial save on a one v. one situation, it would have been a heartbreaker if they had equalised because I thought we were well on top throughout the game and delighted to carry on the momentum. Getting back to back clean sheets is so important, because we work hard on them defending in training though the week.

Consistency is important at any level, to go and be able to put three wins back to back and in the manner we have done beating East Fife here 4-1, then went to Hampden last weekend and scored four goals and kept a clean sheet and then today winning 1-0 against very difficult opposition. Airdrie have always been a hard team to play against anytime I have played against them and since I have been at Alloa they continue to be tight games – they beat us earlier in the season at their place deservedly so but I thought we deserved to win the game today.

There is no point in changing a winning side, it is always hard to do so, we do have Daryll Meggatt fit on the bench again but Scott Taggart and Andy Graham have been outstanding in the back line together and Jon Robertson has filled in at right back, I have spoke to “Robbo” about the situation, he would rather play in midfield but enjoys playing right back as well. Callum Crane has really come on to his game and again was terrific because the boy Scott Stewart is a very good opponent and I knew he would have to be on our game to watch him today and I thought Callum did a terrific job up against him. I was delighted for Craig Malcolm to score again this week, his goal being the winner, PJ was excellent again, I could go right through the team there wasn’t one below par performance.

I would like however to give a special mention to Stevie Hetherington, that’s as good a performance from a central midfielder, particularly in the second half he was everywhere, picked up every second ball, not only that but his range of passing when he had possession, I can’t remember him getting beaten or giving the ball away too many times, he stopped Airdrie counter attacking on us, delighted for Stevie and all my players, even Kris Renton ho came on for the last fifteen minutes played a vital part, so delighted with the group of players we have at the club, let’s just carry it on.

It is important that we don’t get carried away and think too far down the line, just keep doing what we are doing and take each game as they come week by week. Next week at Cliftonhill will be another difficult game, Albion Rovers hammered us here 5 – 2, so we certainly owe them one, so it would be nice to go and reverse the scoreline.