JULY 2016 ROUND UP:
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Tough start at home to Ladbrokes Premier League, Partick Thistle. Found it difficult with the small squad and only a couple of days working with the players. Final score 3-1 to Partick with makeshift striker Darren Lewis getting the goal for Stirling. Overall happy with the performance and am not expecting much from the Betfred Cup and will treat is a way to get familiar with the squad and introduce some new players and tactics.
[MAN OF THE MATCH - Darren Smith[/B]
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Similar situation in the 2nd game of the Betfred Cup away to Championship side, St. Mirren. We fell to another 3-1 defeat with talisman Blair Henderson equalising after 13 mins to make it 1-1 before we conceded 2 before half time.
[MAN OF THE MATCH - Blair Henderson[/B][/B]
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3rd game of the Betfred Cup was against League 1 side, Brechin City. It was my sides best performance so far and after falling behind early in the 2nd half we came from behind to go 2-1 ahead thanks to 2 finishes from Blair Henderson. Unfortunately, we conceded a late equaliser and the game finished 2-2. The game went straight to penalties, where 6 straight converted penalties saw us win and Brechin missed their 6th spot kick to fall to defeat.
MAN OF THE MATCH - Blair Henderson
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The final game of the Betfred Cup was the most disappointing as we dominated both possession and chances and led early thanks to a first Stirling Albion goal for new signing Michael Kelly. However, 7 mins into the second half left back, Darren Petrie, was sent off for a second booking which completely changed the game. I changed tactics and went more defensive but we failed to adapt and conceded 4 goals within the last half hour to fall to an emphatic 4-1 defeat.
MAN OF THE MATCH - Michael Kelly
BETFRED CUP FINAL STANDINGS
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Disappointed to finish bottom of the group but overall having had 4 games to get to know my squad and playing against 4 clubs who play at a higher level than Stirling Albion, I cannot be too disappointed. Looking forward to the start of the league but have a Challenge Cup tie against St. Johnstone Under 20's before then.
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I WILL GIVE MY SQUAD ASSESSMENT AND UPDATE ON NEW SIGNINGS IN MY NEXT UPDATE FOR AUGUST 2016. LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING MY FULL SQUAD COMPRISED FOR THE BATTLE AHEAD.