Stirling V East Stirling at Forthbank Stadium : Match Preview

08 March 2013 17:01
Stirling V East Stirling - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.


Defensive dilemma for Shire

Stirling will be without Gary Thom when they host East Stirling.

Thom is suspended and the defender's absence adds to Stirling's problems, with goalkeeper David Crawford (thigh), Ross McGeachie (foot), Graham Weir (hamstring) and player-manager Greig McDonald (knee) already out.

Ahead of the game, McDonald said: "The Third Division is a bit tightly-packed at the moment. If we win this game we are chasing the play-offs, whereas if we lose it we could go bottom.

"We lost at Berwick in midweek but after a seven-game unbeaten run we will have no problems picking ourselves up for a Shire side that performed very well against Rangers last week."

East Stirling head coach John Coughlin faces a defensive headache.

Three out of the four defenders that took the field against Rangers last weekend could miss out against Albion.

Nathan Shepherd is definitely out due to a knee problem, Raymond Buchanan faces a late fitness test due to a rib injury and Ricky Miller (illness) is a doubt after failing to complete training on Thursday.

Elsewhere, Rhys Devlin is absent because of a knee problem and Michael Hunter is suspended.

However, Steven Jackson is available after a ban and Mark Begg has recovered from a knock to give Coughlin some options.

Coughlin said: "We are not in the best of shape, however we will look to play good football and see where that takes us."

Source: PA