Reaction

Manager Barry Smith was disappointed in the manner in which “The Wasps” started today’s game against Livingston, Craig McDowall being called upon in the opening minute to pull off an important save. The visitors took the lead after twenty minutes when Simon Mensing was left unmarked in the box to sweep home the opening goal and it wasn’t until the same player was red carded for a goal stopping challenge on Derek Riordan that Alloa started to get back into the game. “The Wasps” with the one man advantage were now on the ascendancy but could now find the net. Derek Riordan’s net bound shot striking the keeper and going to safety. Then out of the blue Martin Scott tried an audacious strike from just over the half way line which caught Craig McDowall off his line and changed the game back in the favour of the visitors, a late goal made in 3-0. This was a bad result and one the players will look to put right next Saturday when they visit Cappielow to play Kenny Shiels, Morton.

barry smith after livingston defeat

We didn’t start the game well and we struggled to get into it, once their player got sent off we were on the ascendancy, the second goal was a great strike but we still have to be doing better. The sending off should have changed the game in our favour but unfortunately we didn’t capitalise on it, but I was more concerned with the start of the game cause we didn’t start properly, we need to start games better, rather than trying to find our feet, we need to start in the first minute. We didn’t start the game well and then struggled to get into the game. Everybody knows Derek Riordan’s ability, the goals which he has scored and that’s why he is here cause at the moment we are struggling to score goals and hopefully bringing him in will help our other strikers as well. On another day Derek might have scored – either running through when he got brought down or the strike he had, which is one of these the keeper has stood big and saved it but there was a couple of other chances when the ball flashed across the face of the goal and a touch was all which was required – but we will keep working at it, but the most disappointing thing today was the start we had. Next week against Morton is just another game, we will go and compete and both teams will be looking to get three points, today’s result doesn’t change our will to win next week. I think the players were low on confidence before I came here and I am now trying to pick them up, but there are certain aspects I will not accept in today’s game but there are other things we will work on to be better. Although we have brought in Derek Riordan, it is also about the other players responding, playing alongside a guy of his ability and hopefully we can get others players up to that ability as well. I have full confidence in being able to raise the confidence of the players.