Binos Draw with Accies, but Win Bonus Point on Penalties

Stirling Albion drew to Hamilton Academical 0-0 on Tuesday night, but claimed the bonus point on penalties at New Douglas Park in the Premier Sports Cup.

Alan Maybury named an unchanged line-up from Saturdays loss against Raith Rovers at Forthbank.

It took the Binos only six minutes to get in to the game as a quick break allowed Ally Roy to run the length of the pitch and have an attempt at goal, but his effort would go wide of the target.

Sam Denham was on the receiving end of a hard tackle in the corner of the pitch which seen him require treatment. Soon after he came back on to the pitch, he was on the receiving end of a great cross into the Hamilton box by Dale Carrick which forced Albinson to palm the ball over the crossbar and out for a corner.

Hamilton had their first real chance of the game through Ben Williamson as he sliced through the Albion defence and charged toward goal. Derek Gaston done extremely well to apply pressure on the attacker and forced him to fire the ball wide of the goal.

Unfortunately, Sam Denham was forced to come off early as the earlier challenge had eventually caught up with him and was substituted, with Aaron Weir coming on to shore up the defensive line.

Harry Wright made a great pass to Dale Carrick who then in return lobbed the ball over the Hamilton defence and to Ally Roy’s feet. He made another great run toward goal and had a crack, but it was saved well by Albinson.

Seven minutes later, Dale Carrick and Ally Roy linked up well again. Roy’s shot from the side of the box was deflected and picked up by Ricky Waugh who had a shot from 24 yards, but it went wide.

The Binos continued to apply pressure on Hamilton, as only a few minutes later Dale Hilson received the ball on the left-hand side of the box and volleyed the ball toward goal, it looked like it was destined to rattle the net, but it just went wide.

Hamilton had the last action of the half as Kevin O’Hara tested Derek Gaston from close range, but he caught the ball comfortably and the referee blew for half-time.

Half-time: 0-0

Stirling managed to maintain the momentum seen in the first half into the second. Just five minutes into the second half, a great lay-off allowed Harley Ewen to take a strike at goal, but it was blocked at close range.

Hamilton responded well through Steven Bradley, as he looked destined to open the scoring for the hosts, but a tremendous reactionary save from Derek Gaston kept the score level.

Accies had another big chance to go one up as Euan Henderson looked to curl the ball into the side netting of the Binos goal, but his effort was just overcooked and went wide of the post.

Derek Gaston was the saviour once again, as his quick reflexes enabled him to save another powerful, goal bound chance from the Accies. He did well to dive to his left and stop it.

In the last minute of the match substitute Cammy McKinlay made a scintillating run toward the Accies goal and had managed to get a shot off despite pressure from the retreating Hamilton defence. His shot was deflected and went out for a corner.

The resulting corner was swung in and cleared from danger. However, good positioning by the Stirling squad allowed Aaron Weir to pick up the loose ball and fire it towards goal, but it went over the bar.

The full-time whistle was sounded, and it meant that each team got one point. However, the game went to penalties to see who could win the bonus point.

Full-time: 0-0

The Binos won the coin toss and had the first penalty, Harry Wright stepped up to the mark and slotted home coolly.

Hamilton were next, Derek Gaston guessed correctly and saved the penalty, leaving Stirling with the chance to get the advantage.

Aaron Weir stood up to take the next penalty and sank it home to give the advantage to Albion.

Kevin O’Hara was next for Hamilton, looking to get his side back into the game, but Derek Gaston had other ideas. He once again guessed correctly and dived to block the shot, allowing the Binos to be out of sight if they scored the next penalty.

Cammy McKinley stood tall and fired the ball into the net, making no mistake, and giving Albion another goal advantage in the shootout.

Connor Murray was Hamilton next penalty taker and managed to finally get the ball past Gaston.

Calum Crane fired his penalty toward the Accies goal looking to seal the match but it was saved well by Albinson.

Hamilton scored their next penalty, making the following penalty the deciding factor for the bonus point.

Featherstone did well to remain composed, knowing that this could secure a crucial point for Stirling in the group stage. He chose his spot well, and fired past Albinson, winning the bonus point for the Binos.

Penalties: 2-4

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