Stirling Albion vs. Saints 23/04/08

[Radford 72]

The biggy coming up on Wednesday. Never mind Scottish Cup semis, this is the game we all want to win! Has anyone ever looked forward to a game less than the one at Forthbank? I'll miss my football over the summer but I'd be happy for the season just to end now. Will still be there out of habit though.

Can see big changes from Del and wouldn't be surprised to see Cuthbert, Anderson, James, Sheerin, Moon, Weatherston and McBreen all starting. Jacko will probably play as well as he chases his twenty goals. Maybe a chance for some of the younger guys as well.

[Jimmy Wallace]

yep, hold me back!

[Perth-Saint]

Looking forward to it a bit more than I was earlier after the good performance against Rangers but still meaningless - I'll be there though.

[dan the saint]

I wish i could go to this but my fone bill just came in & its £235

[Jmo]

I'll be there.

Nice and easy for me to get to!

[slf]

i love goin tae stirling its a pity they been relegated.canny wait.

[Scobby_SJFC]

Havent been to forthbank before so planning on going, even though there is nothing to play for, it wil be cold and the game will prob be poor.

Will be back to the usual diehard fans again for this one!!

[st Tommy]

Ill be there although its going to be pretty hard for the players to get motivated for this one, especially as there isnt anything to play for now.
I expect DM to freshen things up as mentioned earlier and will give James / McBreen etc the chance to get their fitness up. Also gives the younger players a chance to "go out and prove your worth a new contract". Hopefully they take the opportunity to impresse but i reckon it will be a very scrappy afair.

[Kyle]

Dissertation deadline day so don't think I'll make it to be honest. Shame really as it's the only first division ground I've not been to!

[Jmo]

Dissertation deadline day so don't think I'll make it to be honest. Shame really as it's the only first division ground I've not been to!

You're not missing much.

Two small stands, not a great atmosphere from the home fans. Home fans don't sing at all, just swear at their team.

[Tranmere Saintee]

Havent been to forthbank before so planning on going, even though there is nothing to play for, it wil be cold and the game will prob be poor.

Will be back to the usual diehard fans again for this one!!

Hopefully it can't be as cold and as awful a game as the Boxing day fixture - or can it:?:

[Alan Main FanClub]

I'd hope to see Del line up with something along the lines of:

Main
Anderson
Stanic
James
Fairbairn?/McManus
Weatherston
Sheerin
Moon
Morris
McBreen
Jackson

Subs:
O'Brien?/Cuthbert
Wilcox/Monaghan
Craig
Milne
And is it possible to play one of the young boys like Quinn or May?

[phizzy007]

Hopefully it can't be as cold and as awful a game as the Boxing day fixture - or can it:?:

Surely nothing can be worse than that game!!

[perthandproud]

not a great atmosphere from the home fans. Home fans don't sing at all, just swear at their team.
Almost like McD!

[Cagey]

I wish i could go to this but my fone bill just came in & its £235

You must stop calling these chat lines. Has nobody told you they are all old grannies sitting doing their kniting whilst you spank the monkey.

[ancientsaint]

You must stop calling these chat lines. Has nobody told you they are all old grannies sitting doing their kniting whilst you spank the monkey.


YOUR JOKING !! oh well - better use the money i save for another season ticket.

Are those parking restrictions still in force outside the ground - i know its night-time -but you know what those green meanies are like.

Looking forward to see some new faces in the game against stirling.

[101 Saint]

I hope that if either Jody or Savo participate in the game they recieve a mega round of applause. They will feel the loss more than any others and we have a duty to put a metaphorical hand on their shoulders and lift their spirits. The team made the fans proud on Sunday, lets reciprocate at Stirling.

[Carse of Gowrie Saint]

It will cost more to watch this game for an adult & child (£24) than it did on Sunday (£20).

That sums up the state of Scottish football at the moment.

[Jmo]

It will cost more to watch this game for an adult & child (£24) than it did on Sunday (£20).

That sums up the state of Scottish football at the moment.


£20 for an adult and child?

I spent £22 for my ticket. No student discount or anything. With Studen discount the game at Forthbank will be a tenner tops.

[templeofsaints]

Ruti, McManus and MMM look like missing out since they're one booking away from a 2-match ban. Irvine is 1 yellow away from a 1-game ban. And Peaso needs a groin op.

Looks like plenty of changes tomorrow.

[Radford 72]

Ruti, McManus and MMM look like missing out since they're one booking away from a 2-match ban. Irvine is 1 yellow away from a 1-game ban. And Peaso needs a groin op.

Looks like plenty of changes tomorrow.
I actually was thinking last night after I'd originally posted that there might be guys close to a suspension.

I still expect the seven fit players that didn't start on Sunday to feature.

[SaintSam1884]

Typical Martin Hardie - hardly plays all season and still ends it as one of the players clocking up the most bookings in the team! :)

[Radford 72]

Typical Martin Hardie - hardly plays all season and still ends it as one of the players clocking up the most bookings in the team! :)
Remember he got a red card against Dundee, so that's twelve points. I think that probably means he's one had one yellow card all season. But like you say, he hasn't played many games.

[Jamie_Beatson]

What are the prices tonight? Adults/concessions/students?

[Radford 72]

What are the prices tonight? Adults/concessions/students?
It's tomorrow!

£14 for adults, £10 (TEN) for concessions!

[101 Saint]

If there is no Irvine, Rusty or Chalky tomorrow - and assuming that Stan ain't fit - will he risk a back three of Anderson, Fairbairn and James? Or will Ando go right back and Sheerin or Craig go to left back? Thoughts please.

[Radford 72]

If there is no Irvine, Rusty or Chalky tomorrow - and assuming that Stan ain't fit - will he risk a back three of Anderson, Fairbairn and James? Or will Ando go right back and Sheerin or Craig go to left back? Thoughts please.
I keep forgetting about Jonny Fairburn, be interesting to see if he gets a start. We are certainly gonna be short at the back with Rutkiewicz, McManus and possibly Irvine and Stanic all out. Monaghan might be another shout to feature.

[101 Saint]

Young Adam certainly appears to be highly rated. Thought Johnny played reasonably well at Methil and did partner James - who talked him through the game in a brilliant manner. Playing too many kids in the same team is a danger though and we can't really play four in midfield (due to lack of players) so I think it would be one or t'other. Having said that, not many can predict a Del team! Would like to see Kerr given a wee run in the second half. He seems a bit hot and cold (though I haven't seen a lot of him) but boy can he deliver a ball.

[Scobby_SJFC]

Do yellow cards get carried over to next season?

[541ntees]

£20 for an adult and child?

I spent £22 for my ticket. No student discount or anything. With Studen discount the game at Forthbank will be a tenner tops.

I also bought a £22 ticket so if i picked up some kid off the street i could have got in cheaper?

But then again if it was in the fam section i suppose that means i couldn't have swore(impossible when Nacho Novo is on the park!)

[Radford 72]

Young Adam certainly appears to be highly rated. Thought Johnny played reasonably well at Methil and did partner James - who talked him through the game in a brilliant manner. Playing too many kids in the same team is a danger though and we can't really play four in midfield (due to lack of players) so I think it would be one or t'other. Having said that, not many can predict a Del team! Would like to see Kerr given a wee run in the second half. He seems a bit hot and cold (though I haven't seen a lot of him) but boy can he deliver a ball.
Talk of Kerzo making his debut tonight. He can deliver a good ball and I hope he does well tonight.

Do yellow cards get carried over to next season?
It's a complicated system.

Players are suspended if they collect eighteen disciplinary points. Suspensions are served fourteen days after a player collects eighteen points so if they pass through that barrier with less than fourteen days of the season remaining (e.g. tonight or on Saturday) then they serve the suspension at the start of next season. If a guy finishes up after the Livi game with sixteen points (or anything under eighteen), they get wiped from his record.

That's not to say their record from the previous season is irrelevant though as the number of times you've passed the eighteen point mark determines how many games you are suspended for.

Like I say, it's complicated!

Related to Saints, Rutkiewicz, Hardie and McManus are all one booking (three points or less) away from a two game suspension, whilst Gary Irvine is nearing a one game suspension. Because there are only four days left of the season, if they were booked tonight, they wouldn't have time to serve the suspension this season.

[jez1971]

Interesting reading regarding the suspension "tightropes" some of the players are walking!

Personally I feel that this is another archaic ruling which does clubs no favours - as far as I am concerned it should be a clean slate from day 1 of a new season. As we've seen before, players we've signed have been suspended for opening matches of the season which is ridiculous!

[angus-saint253]

hmm, cant imagine the tackles are gonna be flying at every opertunity tonight however. heres hoping tho, being a student in stirling this is one of the few away games i manage to attend so im quite looking frward to it. come on yo saints- would be nice to get an end of season display over the next two games. its not been such a terrible season has it?

[Scobby_SJFC]

Game deffo on tonight? been raining all day where I am and with the Binos webpage not being the best, hard finding things!!

[Jamie_Beatson]

Rain seems to have stopped in Stirling (at least it had when I went out an hour or so ago). It isn't that heavy anyway. Shouldn't be a problem.

[Jmo]

Hmm, it's looking rainy again now here.

Got to play football first, then go out and watch the saints game. Good footballing evening for me!

[THE LARK SAINT]

I also bought a £22 ticket so if i picked up some kid off the street i could have got in cheaper?

But then again if it was in the fam section i suppose that means i couldn't have swore(impossible when Nacho Novo is on the park!)

On sunday my mate and i and our 2 kids had tickets for the family section, as we made our way up to hampden we looked at the tickets to check our section ect, it turned out that the 2 kids would be next each other , and my lad wanted to sit with me, so without even giving it a second thought we swapped the tickets around and went in without a hitch. Not untill later that i relised i got in with a child ticket, i meen its not that they even took a second glance or anything like that. so if we get back i doubt if you would need to grab a kid of the street ( food for thought)

[Alan Main FanClub]

Main
Irvine
Kerr
James
Anderson
Weatherston
Sheerin
Moon
Craig
McBreen
Milne

According to my source.

[Perth-Saint]

I am off now to get the 1812 to Stirling:)

[The Real Saints]

Can't make it tonight, but will be watching intently for updates. Would be surpised if Kerr started tonight.
I predict -

Main

Irvine
Anderson
James
Stanic

Moon
Sheerin
Craig

Weatherston
McBreen
Jackson

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

Just of to Stirling.Hope it,s a seven goal thriller...............7-0 Saints...

[supersaint44]

I hope we can end the seaosn on a high with two wins and i really hope McBreen plays well tonight and wins a contract, also feel it is a good chance for a few reserve plyers and youngsters to show they are worth a shout next season.

[FAIR CITY FIRM]

happy st.george day ghost.

[Jmo]

Getting the 6:55 bus into town.

Living just outside Stirling has its advantages.

[slf]

happy st.george day ghost.


happy st.george day to you too.enjoy yer day morris dancing.

[The Real Saints]

Alan Main FanClub's line-up is correct. Interesting.
I take it that we are playing a 4-3-3 with a midfield of Weatherston, Moon, and Craig, an attack of Milne, McBreen and Kerr, and Sheerin playing as a left wing-back as he has done before, with a back 4 of Irvine, James, Anderson and Sheerin?
Otherwise, a 3-4-3 with Craig on the left-wing and Sheerin in the centre, and Anderson at left-back, although that formation seems unlikely.

[The Real Saints]

1-0 Saints - James.
Good start.

[Alan Main FanClub]

Alan Main FanClub's line-up is correct. Interesting.
I take it that we are playing a 4-3-3 with a midfield of Weatherston, Moon, and Craig, an attack of Milne, McBreen and Kerr, and Sheerin playing as a left wing-back as he has done before, with a back 4 of Irvine, James, Anderson and Sheerin?
Otherwise, a 3-4-3 with Craig on the left-wing and Sheerin in the centre, and Anderson at left-back, although that formation seems unlikely.

What can I say I have a good source! :p I don't know the position's but I'd imagine it will be a back four of Irvine, Sheerin, Anderson and James, Midfield of Craig, Moon and Kerr and then an attack of Weatherston, McBreen and Milne.

[injured saint]

1-0 saints james

[Alan Main FanClub]

1-1 that bloody Aitken from the spot again!

[Alan Main FanClub]

And he scores again! Did we concede two pens in 2 minutes!! :o

[injured saint]

2-1 aiten pen sent off james

[The Real Saints]

Umm.. It seems that we've lost two goals because of a couple of penalties in one minute. And Kevin James send off for handball. Absolutely mental. Sorry to break it to you.

[Ray Blair]

Its the Kevin James show!!!You couldnt make it up,could you?

[injured saint]

2-1 ht

[MUZZ]

more penalties. fed up with those things!

[montrosesaintee]

more penalties. fed up with those things!

Main'll be shouting for the old 'three and in' rules to be implemented. He must be really fed up of facing them!

[injured saint]

3-1 rodriguez

[injured saint]

3-1 ft

[supersaint44]

can I ask "WHAT THE HELLL HAPPENED?" as i wasnt at the game but what happened with the penalties? and James and just in general.:shock:

[Alan Main FanClub]

can I ask "WHAT THE HELLL HAPPENED?" as i wasnt at the game but what happened with the penalties? and James and just in general.:shock:

God knows! It wasn't a full strength team but still should have beaten that mob convincingly. Jackson came on after H/T but got subbed off again on 85? Any know if he got injured? Young Fairbairn came on as a sub and made his debut, maybe one to watch?

[mainstand]

God knows! It wasn't a full strength team but still should have beaten that mob convincingly. Jackson came on after H/T but got subbed off again on 85? Any know if he got injured? Young Fairbairn came on as a sub and made his debut, maybe one to watch?

Jackson was injured.

Just one of those end of season games with a shit linesman and ref.

[Cagey]

Nothing game & a lot of changes but still feel gutted every time Saints lose.

[Saline Saint]

Eat your heart out Carlos Cuellar what a save from big James toniight,panalty,red card,cya.Their first pen was soft to say the least the guy crumpled prity easily.Their 3rd came from a pass back to Main he could have done without he in turn passed it to Moon who was at right back he only had the 3 Albion players round him lost posession Rodriguez didnt stop to say thanks.All looked ok when James powered a header home for the opener in the first half.He went off and so did our chances.

[slf]

just back.well i was entertained.big giraffe punched goalward ball intae net so he was off.some end to end stuff .they let you go out to smoke at half time if you wish.funny i never seen any roadworks at aberruthven when i was goin.comin back different story.

[Scobby_SJFC]

Woeful, really woeful

Decent away crowd considering the circumstances, Good start and we looked good up until the first pen, which for me was slightly soft.
The 2nd james handball on the line which was stupid, as there was still 60 mins or 11 men to fight back!!

3rd goal summed up the league campaign for me backpass to main, who passed to moon, both of whom could have punted the ball anywhere, yet moon lost the ball and the lad slipped past main for a class finish

Stirling looked by FAR the better team, we were shocking even with 10 men, if you cant keep the ball for 4 passes you shouldnt be a divison 1 team.

Night and Day from Sunday

[templeofsaints]

Temple reports up now - based on tonight though we looked like the team that had been relegated. Stirling passed the ball better, moved better and looked like a team.

We looked like a bunch of folk that couldn't give a toss about contracts and wanted to get to the beach. Not good enough.

[The ghost of Jim Morton]

Well that was fun...End of season nonsense...We were mostly crap,the ref was crap,the crowd(431) was crap...Alan Main played well though and big Kevs save was a peach...Sooner it's over the better....Someone asked WHY Albion were relegated and the smart answer was " Cos they dinnae play us every week"....Could have been 6-1....( seven goal thriller:oops:)

Bring on the Livi..........:***:

[MUZZ]

how did the young lads play?

[StDuncM]

Perhaps Sunday was just a step too far for some and it took it out of them.

[ancientsaint]

Total embarassment tonight- i know it was a meaningless end of season game and players rested to stop suspensions etc - but you would have thought there was going to be a bit of fight..none

James -great header for our goal.

Craigs tackle was never a bloody penalty.

Why james didnt just let the ball go in and stay on the park - i wont ever know - maybe he was cold and wanted to get home.

Stirling keeper picks up ball inside the "d" which is outside of his area and at worst a free kick and booking- nope "assistant linesman" didnt see it as that- was the glare of the floodlights in his eyes ?

Specsavers seem to be a waste of time with these clowns.

Passback to main - wee pass to mooner-no where to go loses ball 3-1 them.

Craig sends long ball to peaso which runs well away- 2 of them exchange words and swear.

Ando in my mind seemed keen.

bar that - i think saints players should pay every saints supporter who attended this drivel into mcd on saturday.

Kerr looked nervous but had a few good moments.

[Jmo]

Think James getting sent off was the turning point, he was keeping everyone together before.

First penalty was a soft one in my opinion. To be honest thats the fourth time this season i've seen Stirling play (once was in the cup against Brechin) and I can't help but wonder why their going down. They've played well every time i've seen them.

[Rodgers]

Roll on Saturday! :D

[101 Saint]

how did the young lads play?
Poorly. All we're played out of position; Kerr at fullback, Moon at right midfield then full back when James walked, Jacko was played in midfield, Davie started wide left and Johnny got all of five minutes. Only Main and Ando should escape criticism tonight. Is James now out for Livi or next season? Makes Del's disciplinary planning irrelevant, eh!

[Radford 72]

It was Adam Monaghan that came on to make his debut, not Jonny Fairburn.

I'm not nearly as down as some. It was a makeshift team with nine players aged 23 or under in the squad. We still created some decent chances with ten men although clearly they were going to cut us open a bit more easily. Credit to them for switching play a lot and using the full width of the pitch.

Result means nothing and the performance wasn't nearly as bad as some are making out IMO.

[Perth-Saint]

I thought we played well unti Kev got sent off. Bizzare first penalty. From the second penalty I thought it was dead clear that we had lost the captain. We seemed to lack a leader. Even then I felt we created enough chances to draw 3-3. Not a terrible performance but not brillant either.

[Scobby_SJFC]

I thought we played well unti Kev got sent off. Bizzare first penalty. From the second penalty I thought it was dead clear that we had lost the captain. We seemed to lack a leader. Even then I felt we created enough chances to draw 3-3. Not a terrible performance but not brillant either.

In all honesty I thought they could have scored 10!!! very wasteful!!

[Radford 72]

In all honesty I thought they could have scored 10!!! very wasteful!!
I must've been dreaming when Alan Main made some great saves then? They weren't wasteful, they came up against a 'keeper in top form, just as we did at the other end. Christie's tip over the bar from McBreen's header was superb.