Reaction

“The Wasps” reached the semi final stage of the Petrofac Training Cup after a goal from Ryan McCord in the closing minutes settled a tie which looked to be heading for extra time. Both teams will look back on chances not taken during the game, home side Greenock Morton were certainly up for the tie and will be disappointed to lose such a late goal, but it is credit to the Alloa Athletic players, while not at their best, they kept going, looking for that important winning goal. This is the first time the club have reached the semi final stages since Season 2001/02 when on that occasion they faced Clyde at Broadwood, Gareth Hutchison’s goal taking “The Wasps” through to the final against Airdrie. Previously in their only other semi final appearance in Season 1999/2000, Alloa Athletic defeated local rivals Stirling Albion 2-1 before progressing to a final against Inverness CT, a game which is still regarded as a classic, The Wasps winning the trophy 5-4 on penalties.

barry smith at cappielow

I’m glad to be in the semi-finals and we kept a clean sheet. We have played better but I don’t want to take anything away from Morton today. At least we are creating chances, which is a positive thing. I worked under Jim and I know how well he has his team playing. We knew it was going to be difficult but we also made it difficult for ourselves.

I have great belief in our team and I always felt we could still create something the longer it went at 0-0. Although we haven’t been at our best, we did still create plenty of opportunities and I was confident that if that final chance came along that we would take it and we have done that. We are delighted just to be in the semi final of the cup and that we have kept a clean sheet. I think we have played better but I don’t want to take anything away from Morton because they played well in the game. I don’t think we reached the levels that we have in recent weeks but we still created chances which are a positive thing.

Both sides had their chances. It is great just to be in the next round because in cup games that is the most important thing. The real positive for us is that we are now in the semi final of the competition. We’re delighted to be in the last four and to have kept a clean sheet. It would be great for the club to reach the final but we still have to get through the semis.