Stirling Albion 0 Motherwell 2

Toastie shows off the new strip

The team lined up with Corr in goal and a back four of Quinn, Craigan, Partridge and Hammell. This forced Corrigan into the right midfield slot along with Kerr, Leitch and Paterson. Burns and Clarkson were in their familiar striking positions.

It was good to see both Leitch and Partridge back on the field after their long absences and the captain played for ninety minutes. Poor Partridge seemed to pull a calf muscle early on and Willie Kinniburgh replaced him before ten minutes had elapsed.

The excellent playing surface was appreciated to the players and they played lots of passes on the ground. Inevitably the sequence would end with a punt up to one of the front runners though little threat on goal resulted.

Bruns had a glancing header and Paterson managed a shot though both were off target. The deadlock was broken a couple of minutes before the break when Clarkson squared to Paterson. He finished well for a debut goal.

The second half had little incident until Clarkson dispossessed the trialist keeper but by the time he managed a shot the defence had recovered enough to block the attempt on the line.

The game turned into more a spectacle when McDonald and Foran came on with twenty minutes remaining. The determination of McDonald and the threat posed by Foran livened proceedings considerably. A Paterson cross found Foran attempting a flying header but the ball flew high.

In eighty two minutes a ball over the top released the Australian and he finished well to seal the victory.

A good day’s work by all concerned with special mention going to all the new boys. They all had their moments and gave the fans a hint that more is to come.

Team: Corr, Quinn, Craigan, Partridge (Kinniburgh 8), Hammell, Paterson, Leitch, Kerr, Corrigan, Burns (McDonald 71), Clarkson (Foran 71)

Subs not uses: Bollan, O’Donnell, Higgins, Cowan, Ewings, Wright