Scottish League One: Three things we learned
As the third tier break up for the Third Round of the Scottish Cup, let’s look at the three talking points from matchday 16…
Edinburgh end winless run with remarkable fightback over 10-men Alloa
Edinburgh 4-3 Alloa Athletic
Edinburgh fought back from three goals behind to return to winning ways in a seven-goal thriller against Alloa Athletic at Meadowbank.
The Wasps doubled their advantage after seven minutes through Andy Graham and Luke Donnelly, in what was a nightmare start for the home side. Graham then secured his brace in the 17th minute to triple the visitors’ lead, but Ryan Shanley pulled a goal back for the hosts in the 36th minute.
This seemed to ignite belief in the hosts as Shanley slotted home his second three minutes after the interval, before Daniel Handling grabbed the equaliser in the 59th minute. O’Donnell was dismissed for the away side in the 55th minute as the Wasps struggled to maintain control over proceedings. Shanley then secured his hat-trick in the 79th minute to complete a miraculous comeback for the Citizens.
Victory for Alan Maybury’s men means they leap into third and throw themselves back into the promotion play-off mix. Meanwhile, an in-form Alloa, who had only lost one game in six saw their four-match unbeaten run come to an end.
Alloa Athletic manager, Brian Rice said: “First half was excellent and second half unacceptable. We were in a brilliant position and gave away horrendous goals. We need to defend better, but the players know that because we told them. It’s the most angriest and disappointed I’ve been since I came to the club.”
Dunfermline strengthen hold on top-spot as Peterhead start life without McInally
Peterhead 0-2 Dunfermline Athletic
Matthew Todd’s 10th minute opener, followed by a second from Chris Mochrie eight minutes later proved to be enough as the league leaders eased to a comfortable victory over Peterhead at Balmoor.
The three points for the Pars, coupled by Falkirk’s slip up at Clyde, extended their lead at the summit to seven points. Meanwhile, the Blue Toon continue to prop up the table amid a nine-game winless streak, where they have not tasted victory since September.
The club announced Jim McInally’s resignation on Monday afternoon with the 58-year-old departing after 11 years and over 460 matches in the dugout. McInally also held the position of Scotland’s longest-serving manager and given how much respect he had amongst the support, his replacement will certainly have big shoes to fill.
Peterhead interim manager, Davie Nicholls said: “The goals we lost were pretty poor and we didn’t get a foothold in the game, particularly as we had the wind at our backs in the first half, but we didn’t utilise it. It’s been a hard week with Jim leaving on Monday, but the guys fought to the end and that’s all I can ask for.”
Dunfermline Athletic manager, James McPake said: “The first half performance was excellent in really tough conditions and we caused Peterhead a lot of problems. The first half for me, in terms of football, is the best from Dunfermline Athletic this season. Second-half was difficult, we could’ve defended a bit higher because we knew the ball wasn’t coming as far, but the game was won in the first half.”
Falkirk’s promotion push suffers another setback as they snatch a point against Clyde
Clyde 3-3 Falkirk
Clyde and Falkirk had to contend with a draw in a six-goal thriller at New Douglas Park.
Callumn Morrison broke the deadlock in the 21st minute for the Bairns with the Bully Wee equalising through Steven Thicot seven minutes later. Jordan Allan brought the hosts in front shortly before the break, however, the visitors were back on level terms nine minutes after the restart. The home side had the upper hand yet again with Allan’s brace just after the hour, but Lawal ultimately ensured a share of the spoils in the 68th minute.
The result will do the Bully Wee no harm as although they remain second-bottom, they are now unbeaten in two matches and look to be turning a corner under Jim Duffy. However, for John McGlynn’s Falkirk, it serves as a reality check to their promotion credentials and with no consecutive wins since October, they need to be more consistent if they want to create some distance below them and reduce the gap on top-spot.
Clyde manager, Jim Duffy said: “An outstanding game of football. From my perspective, I thought my team scored a couple of brilliant goals. The fans were certainly entertained, a ting of disappointment since we were in front, but Falkirk are a top team, so you can’t be too disappointed when you take something from the game.”
Falkirk manager, John McGlynn said: “We didn’t build on the lead we had and we should’ve. We started fairly well and had opportunities before Callumn’s goal, but from then we should’ve kicked on. With the greatest of respect to Clyde, we were open and creating chances and I don’t know if that got to the players because after that we didn’t progress in the game.”
Results:
Airdrieonians 1-0 Kelty Hearts
Queen of the South 4-0 Montrose
Scottish League One: As It Stands