Alloa Athletic 1 Accies 1 Saturday: 28 August 1999

Report by George Grandison

Accies first trip to Recreation Park since 1990 saw a few changes. Alloa have a nice new stand and have made several other ground improvements while Accies have been homeless for over 5 years. On the park Alloa have made an excellent start to the season, knocking out Morton and Airdrie away on Cup business and unbeaten in 7 matches, whereas Accies fortunes have gone from bad to worse.

A glorious sunny day brought out a decent crowd including a fair size Accies support. Early on, Accies' recent defensive frailties were highlighted when a slip let veteran Willie Irvine in with a great chance, his low shot brillianty turned round the post by Reid. At the other end, Nicky Henderson tried his luck from long range but his shot was easily held. On 11 minutes Michael Moore sustained a nasty cut above his eye and had to leave for treatment.

With Accies still a man short, they gained one of the softest penalties I can remember. A hopeful cross from the left looked too long for Steven Renicks, however the Alloa full back appeared to trip over his own feet and having fallen, Renicks tripped over him. No-one could believe the penalty decision but Nicky Henderson stuck the kick away with some panache. With Moore still absent, it was left to Michael Martin to try a long run for goal, his shot deflecting a yard or so wide. When Moore came back on 21 minutes, it was short lived, the cut opening up again and he was directed off by the ref for more treatment. The rest of the first half was pretty poor fare as both sides fought for control of the congested midfield.

With Moore late arriving due to the cut, Alloa started the second half with more urgency, no doubt fired up by a Terry Christie headmasterly rollicking at the break. After a couple of close efforts they equalised 8 minutes into the half when slack defensive work (again) left McKechnie free just inside the box. Although he sclaffed his shot, Steven Thomson's desparing lunge helped to deflect the ball past the wrong footed Reid. Accies regrouped and managed to cope fairly well with the Alloa attack thereafter, then on 63 minutes created the best chance of the game. Some great close control from McCormick set up Moore with a clear run at goal from just outside the box. However the young striker chose to move to the right, trying to draw the keeper and then pulled his shot across the face of goal.

Near the end Alloa had a couple of near misses, particularly from veteran Irvine whose angle shot scraped past the far post. Accies were worthy of their draw against the division's form team and the performance, though not great, does at least give some optimism for the weeks ahead. Let's hope it's not misplaced.

Accies: Reid, Renicks, Martin, Davidson, McLaren, Thomson, Bonnar, N Henderson, Moore, McCormick, Kelly (sub. Russell 77). Subs not used; Gaughan, Lynn.

Report by Donald Anderson

Accies took the lead when Nicky Henderson netted from the spot after the referee awarded a pretty laughable penalty as one of our forwards seemed to lose balance when tackled. Alloa had better possession in the first half, but with Chris Reid only having to make one really decent save. In fact, the game was more even than recent weeks might have led one to predict. In the second half, Alloa again had slightly the better of it, but the best chance fell to Michael Moore, put clear in the box by a neat pass from Steven McCormick, but he didn't make the most of it. Alloa equalized when a low shot was turned past Reid by a defender. Gary Clark received warm applause from the Accies support when he appeared as a sub later in the half. In fact, the Accies support was very much behind the team (if not the manager!).

After the match, at least half the travelling support staged a sit in near the directors boxes, which must have lasted at least a quarter of an hour until an Alloa official returned from beneath the stand to say that our request for an Accies official to talk to us was refused (surprise surprise). The local press did, however, take a photograph of the protestors in the car park behind the main stand afterwards - (Hopefully, this may be syndicated to at least the Advertiser). Disturbingly, George Fulston was seen in the stand during the first half.

(PS: sorry if this report's a bit vague, but I haven't been very often over the last 2 years and don't yet recognise most of our younger players).

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