Stirling hope to beat big freeze to stop losing slide in Bonnyrigg clash
It’s set to be a cold one for Stirling Albion on Saturday - but they will be hoping to get back on track at Bonnyrigg as their League Two turn up the heat.
The Binos have lost their last two on the spin after a six-match unbeaten run had lifted them into fourth and within touching distance of the summit.
Now attentions may turn back to keeping hold of that final spot in the top four, with a trio of sides from the capital hot on their heels to take their place.
Among those sides chasing them down are Spartans - who swept Stirling aside in an easy 3-0 win at Ainslie Park last weekend - and also Saturday’s opponents, with the Rose only five points behind the Binos.
That margin is despite Bonnyrigg picking up a six point deduction from the SPFL last week after the slope on their New Dundas Pitch saw the club lose its Bronze level licensing status, deemed essential for SPFL entry.
The club have now launched a fundraiser in order to install a new plastic pitch - but there have been no signs of a fall off on the pitch for Calum Elliot’s side, who kept their foot on the pedal by snatching a late 2-1 win at Stranraer last time out.
An early Cammy Ross goal put the Rose in front, before they were pegged back by the hosts in the second half.
But Rose legend Kieran McGachie popped up through the monsoon conditions at Stair Park with a stoppage-time winner to lift them five clear of safety and start to look up once more.
For Stirling, they should welcome back full-back Aaron Weir after he served a one-match suspension for his sending off against Peterhead, but fellow defender Callum Crane and on-loan St Johnstone midfielder Alex Ferguson are set for a spell on the sidelines.
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Weir’s availability could see another reshuffle at the back for Alan Maybury’s side to allow Josh Kerr to move back into midfield against Rose - with the Binos struggling for rhythm following their enforced changes at Spartans.
Striker Ross, who arrived after a prolific campaign for Lowland League Tranent last season, is the Rose’s danger man up front with four goals so far this season.
They sit inside the top half for both goals scored and conceded in the campaign, while referee George Calder could be a busy man, with Rose topping the table for fouls, yellow and red cards this season.