Harty hat-trick the party piece

Stirling Albion 2, Stranraer 5.

Stranraer are enjoying a somewhat strange season. Billy McLaren brought his injury-ravaged squad to Forthbank having suffered just three defeats in 17 League matches. However, a plethora of draws had left many doubting Stranraer's ability to force themselves amongst the leaders.

Certainly the Stair Park side have been noted more for their parsimony at the back rather than free-flowing attacking football, but their first win in Stirling since 1989 was achieved in a remarkable and resounding manner.

It was the second time this term that Stranraer had scored five goals away from home - recently dishing out the same fate to Queen of the South - but the chill weather had put this fixture in some doubt of starting.

When referee Stuart Dougal arrived at the ground he was somewhat concerned with the state of the pitch and was out again at half time to reassess the situation. His decision to let the match continue was surely correct - conditions were difficult but not dangerous and both sides had few problems adapting.

In fact Stranraer, missing several key players including the influential Keith Knox, seemed to positively relish the challenge and they deservedly went in front after 14 minutes. Mark McGeown, who spent a decade with Albion, arrowed a huge clearance downfield and Ian Harty planted the ball past Jason Gardiner.

That advantage was doubled on 32 minutes with another simple goal Jim Smith heading in an Alan Blaikie corner.

Ineffectual Stirling were handed a barely warranted escape route when John McQuade converted his tenth goal of the season from an Ally Graham flick-on seven minutes short of half time, but they failed miserably to grasp it.

Albion's Achilles heel - that porous defence - continues to haunt them and they conceded two goals in as many minutes soon after the interval.

In the 52nd minute Smith's free kick was touched on by Paul Ronald for Harty to slam the ball past Gardiner before further inept defending allowed Ronald to give Stranraer a 4-1 lead when he cracked a powerful shot in off the post.

Paul McGrillen's exquisite lob reduced the deficit in 56 minutes and the unlucky Ally Graham twice hit the woodwork for Stirling after that.

But this was Stranraer's day and 16 minutes from time Harty, formerly of Albion Rovers, swept home his third of the afternoon having been set up by Paul Walker.

Stranraer's success in adversity may prove a potent tool in the coming months but for Stirling promotion is surely a forlorn hope.

Copyright 1999
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