Management thoughts on the top the the table clash tomorrow

Posted on Friday, December 16th, 2011

Mike says –

“The weather hasn’t been the best recently and we were one of only two East of Scotland games to beat it last weekend. To get the Stirling game on a lot of time and effort was made to clear most of the snow from the Academy pitch so with an earlier kick-off let’s hope the white stuff isn’t evident when we all wake up tomorrow morning. 

Strollers have crept up under the radar and are currently sitting second above one or two more fancied teams. Garry Aitchison will be delighted with their season so far and will want his team to finish the year on a high. Their last three Premier League games brought them good wins away to Selkirk and at home to Edinburgh City and Tynecastle so our lot have been well warned of the task ahead. Since we played them in August Scott Gormley has joined them to add his pace and goal threat to a well balanced and organised side. Craig Dickson and Neil Campbell are another two players who always impress when we play them so we better be on our toes from the first whistle to the last tomorrow.

Dean Hoskins arrives back tomorrow but well after the game so Scott Fusco will continue at left back in an unchanged back five. Further forward we have one or two injury concerns and we’ll wait until the morning before finalising the side. Chris Anderson will come into the team irrespective of who’s available as Sam and I change things around a bit. We didn’t play badly in difficult conditions last Saturday but players like Chris and young Jordan Finnie are pushing for a starting place. Jonathan Seeley is on the Ward tomorrow so Jack Beesley who is back training or one of the Under 19’s will make up the numbers.

Despite friendlies against Hibs and Hearts Under 19’s to look forward to Strollers will be our last competitive game of the 2011 and the points available are vital for both teams. I expect a very good game of football on a top class surface so if your team aren’t playing, get yourself down to Ainslie Park for 1.30.”

Mike