Reaction

A Declan McAvoy goal at Methil on Saturday against East Fife earned “The Wasps” full points in a game when the first goal was going to be so important. The players once again showed great fighting spirit against an East Fife side who had defeated promotion hopefuls Brechin City 2-0 in midweek. East Fife had the best of the first 45 minutes, but Alloa were a better side in the second half, in a game which had few clear cut chances. Declan McAvoy scored his first goal for the club starting the move in his own half before playing a one two and getting forward into the East Fife box and having a shot which took a deflection past home keeper Michael Brown. This gave Alloa more confidence and Stuart Noble might have increased Alloa’s lead shortly after the goal but his pass inside to Prunty was intercepted. David Crawford had to be at his best and Jonathon Smart might still be wondering how DC got down to save at his post late on the game to deny East Fife a share of the points. However with five games left we are still doing our best to secure promotion to the First Division although nothing has been achieved as yet.

allan maitland at methil

Today was an absolutely massive result for us and I am thrilled for the players, I thought our problems had been well documented, players injured and everything else. Today I had Stuart Noble, Chris Townsley and Bryan Prunty coming back which as I said before a bit earlier than they should do, but they are determined to play their part and with so many players out suspended today and this being such a vital game they all wanted to play and contributed to what I thought was a tremendous battling display, there is no doubt at times we were riding our luck and we got a fortunate break at the goal, David Crawford our goal keeper had a fantastic save in the first half and an absolute top drawer save in the second half from Jonathan Smart with a header low down at his corner but I think that is Davie Crawford’s 18th shut-out this season and that goes a long way to helping you win things, our centre backs today I thought were immense and it had to be a day when you work at it and work at it and make yourself difficult to beat, and with Stuart Noble and Bryan Prunty on the park we know we were always capable of scoring goals. Young Declan got his goal which is a bonus for him and a bonus for us but I felt we could win the game if we just made sure we were tight at the back and that’s what happened. On Wednesday night we will see John Grant, Mark Brown and Andy Scott all coming back from suspension, we will have Bryan Prunty , Chris Townsley and Stuart Noble in better shape, Dougie Wilson was back in the squad today. We have got five games left, we have got players back, we are in great shape, in great heart and we are going to do our best to see where that takes us. The fans have been fantastic at this club, they have been great and I think they recognise how hard everybody at this club is working, from me, Wardie, Hilly and the players, the back room staff and the board as well have supported me by extending Thomas Flynn’s loan deal, by bringing in Declan and Tony when we were short of numbers. Everybody is doing their part.