Date – 7th September 1996
Venue – Forthbank Stadium
Competition – Bell’s Scottish First Division
Result –Stirling Albion 1-0 Falkirk
Kick Off – 3.00pm The game will always live long in my memory as, not only was it a rare chance to see Stirling beating one of our local rivals but it was also the first time I had been at such an occasion. The Binos had just been promoted from Division Two and had yet to record a win after three league games, although a very creditable 1-1 draw had taken place at Forthbank the week previously against a strong Dundee side, who would eventually finish 3rd behind Airdrie and champions St Johnstone. The game kicked of with Falkirk, in dark and light blue checked shirts (which can be at best described as interesting), shooting towards the River Forth. As expected it was the Bairns who did most of the running in the game but Mark McGeown in the Albion goal was never seriously troubled. Albion did look dangerous when they managed to break forward with Alex Bone and Stevie McCormick still high in confidence that saw them bang in goal after goal in the previous season. The game really came to life in the second half, well, at least that’s when the goal was. After over an hour of stalemate Stirling took the lead with a bizarre goal. A long ball behind the Falkirk defence was chased by McCormick and Neil Berry, who reached it first but only succeeded in lobbing the advancing goalkeeper. McCormick was then left free with an open goal as the two Falkirk players collided with each other which he dually scored. His trademark cartwheel celebration could have been done by many members of the Albion support had they the gymnastic ability, delirious after seeing their side take the lead! The frustration of having dominated the game but to go one down was too much for some of the Bairns more volatile players and it culminated in former England player Andy Gray seeing a red card for lashing out at Ronnie McQuilter as the two tussled for the ball in the centre circle. The remaining minutes were among the most nervous I have ever had to go through but both the relief and joy at the final whistle were almost tangible which made the whole experience worth going through. | 