Peterhead looked to end a busy week with a 100% record as they played host to Stirling Albion at Balmoor Stadium. With two 1-0 victories against Edinburgh and Stranraer, it was important for the Blue Toon to keep their winning streak going against a Stirling side who hadn’t won in three games. There was one enforced change for the hosts as Danny Strachan replaced an injured Peter Pawlett in the starting line-up.
Peterhead looked to get on the ball early in the contest and created the first chance of the game with Kieran Shanks firing wide from the edge of the area. Moments later, the Blue Toon hit the front as Cieran Dunne’s cross was deflected by Joshua Kerr to the edge of the area where Max Barry was waiting to pounce and finished into the far corner of the net. Stirling began to grow into the game and Adam Brown thumped a free kick against the woodwork before the Binos’ midfielder fired past Blessing Oluyemi via a deflection to draw the visitors level. It didn’t take long for Peterhead to get their noses in front once again as Barry sent Dunne through on goal and his cutback was deflected into the path of Shanks, who tapped into an empty net at the back post. Peterhead looked to build on their advantage but efforts from Barry and Shanks failed to beat Derek Gaston in the Stirling net.
Half Time: Peterhead 2-1 Stirling Albion
The visitors seemed fired up after the break and deservedly got themselves back on level terms for the second time in the match. Ryan Shanley picked up the ball in the centre of the pitch and played Callum Crane through on goal and he slotted past Oluyemi. This was the wakeup call that Peterhead needed, and a spell of dominance from the hosts followed the equaliser. Danny Strachan collected the ball in his own half before firing over following a mazy run, Shanks and Jack Brown both saw efforts drift wide before Dunne’s weak footed effort was claimed by the keeper. In the middle of this dominance, the Binos had a glorious chance of their own as Kerr missed a free header following a corner, prior to Jamie Walker making a remarkable clearance on the goal line to prevent James Graham from tapping in.
Caleb Goldie produced a fine roulette to make some space but couldn’t find the target. However, some good interplay between Shanks, Jack Brown and Dylan Forrest saw the latter played in, he made some room with some quick feet before firing into the far corner and leaving Gaston with no chance to put Peterhead in front for the third time. Stirling will probably feel they should have equalised once again with Kerr given time and space to plant a header goalwards but Oluyemi made a fine save to keep the hosts in front. With the visitors pushing bodies forward, gaps were beginning to appear at the other end and following good work from Rory McAllister and Dunne, new signing Adam Carnwath was presented with a golden opportunity to make a name for himself but Gaston made a good save to tip his effort over the bar. McAllister then had two great chances of his own to seal the deal, firstly heading wide from an Andy McCarthy cross before dragging an effort wide from 12 yards following Forrest’s cut back. The final chance of the match fell to Kerr, however for the third time in the game he was unable to take advantage of a set piece as he headed wide of goal.
Full Time: Peterhead 3-2 Stirling Albion (Barry 10’, Shanks 26’+75’; A. Brown 23’, Crane 49’)
Starting XI: Oluyemi, Danny Strachan (Walker 62’), Jason Brown, Wilson, Goldie, Forrest, McCarthy (Smith 87’), Jack Brown (Carnwath 78’), Barry (Colloty 78’), Dunne, Shanks (McAllister 78’)
