Stirling Albion head to Raith Rovers in confident mood after opening day win

Stirling Albion’s Premier Sports Cup campaign continues on Saturday with a trip to face Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park.

The Binos kicked off Group A with a 2-1 win at Dumbarton last weekend thanks to goals from debutant Robert Thomson and Kieran Moore.

Darren Young’s men were the odd team out in midweek when Aberdeen saw off Dumbarton 2-0 at Pittodrie and Raith Rovers thrashed Peterhead 6-0 in Kirkcaldy.

Jack Leitch will miss the trip to Stark’s Park and the game comes too soon for former East Fife midfielder Ross Davidson but ex-Shotts striker Danny Burns could return to the squad.

Young said: “I thought we played very well against Dumbarton and thoroughly deserved to win.

“We are in a tough section with Raith Rovers and Aberdeen coming up but it’s definitely a boost to be going into those games on the back of three points.”

It’s the start of a big week for Stirling, who host Aberdeen at Forthbank on Tuesday and conclude their group games at home to the Blue Toon a week tomorrow.

First up is a meeting with Rovers, who have a new manager in Ian Murray following John McGlynn’s move to Falkirk earlier in the summer. The sides last met in 2020/21 when the Kirkcaldy club won 2-0 in a Scottish Cup tie that was played behind closed doors at Forthbank due to Covid restrictions.

Albion’s last victory over Rovers was in a First Division match in October when Chris Aitken and Gordon Smith got the goals in a 2-0 success under then manager John O’Neill.

Their last visit to the Fife venue was nine years ago this month when Jordan White netted for the Binos in a 2-1 Challenge Cup defeat.

The visit of Aberdeen on Tuesday will be the first match on the new Forthbank pitch following work over the summer.

Jim Goodwin’s men are strong