1. Forfar Athletic 1-4 Stirling Albion (24th September 2022)
Stirling’s start to the season was a bit of a mixed bag. 2 wins, 2 draws and 2 losses from the first six fixtures had the Binos sitting in mid-table at the start of September. However, back-to-back 4-1 victories at home to Stranraer and away to Forfar saw Stirling really start to build momentum. A clinical first half performance saw goals from Paul McLean, Cammy Clark and Dale Carrick fire Stirling into a 3-goal lead at Station Park. Josh Jack pulled one back on the hour mark for the hosts before Dundee United loanee Kai Fotheringham put the seal on a key away day victory.
2. Stirling Albion 6-0 Dumbarton (8th October 2022)
This was the game where everyone sat up and took notice. Dumbarton had started the season on fire, and while Stirling had begun to build momentum of their own, absolutely no one saw this result coming. Goals from Robert Thomson, Paul McLean and star striker Dale Carrick had the Binos 3 up in just over 20 minutes before Ross McGeachie’s close range finish rounded off a terrific first half display at Forthbank. A pair of Kyle Banner goals from set piece situations in the second period completed an incredible rout as the Binos moved to within 2 points of their title rivals.
3. Stenhousemuir 1-3 Stirling Albion (15th October 2022)
One week on from their thrashing of Dumbarton, Darren Young’s side had a trip to local rivals Stenhousemuir to contend with. Stirling supporters travelled in their numbers to witness a derby day victory which saw their side surge to the top of the table for the first (and not the last) time of the season. Dale Carrick found space in the Stenny area after just 3 minutes and fired his side into an early lead before being pegged back by a first-time Nat Wedderburn finish just before the half time break. Late goals from Paul McLean & Aaron Dunsmore sealed the points for a Stirling side who ended the weekend at the top of the table.
4. Elgin City 1-2 Stirling Albion (23rd December 2022)
Late November into early December saw Stirling suffer their only successive defeats of the season in all competitions. A 3-2 loss to Inverness in the Scottish Cup was followed up by a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Stranraer at Stair Park. However, the Binos were able to rally and use the defeats in a positive manner, successfully navigating a tricky trip to Borough Briggs and coming away with all 3 points. Goals from Paul McLean & Kai Fotheringham would kick-start a run of 18 league matches without defeat which would eventually lead Stirling to championship glory.
5. Bonnyrigg Rose 1-2 Stirling Albion (14th February 2023)
A midweek trip to New Dundas Park would see Stirling make it 5 straight games without defeat as they looked to reel in table topping Dumbarton. Experienced forward Greig Spence joined the Binos on an 18-month deal in January and it didn’t take him long to make an impression. Despite his hero status at local rivals Alloa Athletic, Spence endeared himself to the Stirling faithful on this cold evening in Bonnyrigg. With the game hanging in the balance at one apiece, Spence popped up with a huge 90th minute winner to send the travelling supporters home happy and move his new club within 4 points of the league leaders with a game in hand.
6. Stirling Albion 2-1 Bonnyrigg Rose (11th March 2023)
Another game against the Rosey Posey, another dramatic finish! This time round in front of a home crowd at Forthbank, Stirling started poorly, going a goal behind after just 11 minutes when Callum Connolly reacted first in the penalty area to turn home a corner kick. Dundee United loanee Flynn Duffy pulled the game level just shy of the hour mark with a stunning left-footed strike into the far corner to set up a grandstand finish. This time the hero was Jack Leitch. The mercurial midfielder curled a sublime effort low beyond the Bonnyrigg keeper in the 90th minute to send the West Stand into delirium.
7. Stirling Albion 2-0 Forfar Athletic (21st March 2023)
This midweek match at Forthbank is where the Binos took their rightful place at the top of the cinch League 2 table, where they would remain for the remainder of the season. The Binos were dominant throughout, but for large periods just couldn’t find the back of the net. With just 20 minutes left to play Ross McGeachie bulleted home a header from a corner kick to break the deadlock, with Dale Carrick adding a second just 8 minutes later for good measure. It was at this point where Stirling fans began to believe that their title dreams could well become a reality!
8. Stenhousemuir 0-1 Stirling Albion (15th April 2023)
While fellow title hopefuls Dumbarton had began to falter and fall away, the Binos kept on keeping on. In this nail-biting clash at Ochilview, Stirling dug deep and found a way to win – once again in dramatic circumstances. In a tight game, when it came, the goal was a special one. Dale Carrick was the scourge of Stenny once more as he found space in the penalty area in added time to lash home the latest of late winners. The scenes in the away end behind the goal will live long in the memory.
9. Dumbarton 0-0 Stirling Albion (18th April 2023)
Is this the most elusive fixture in recent memory? The match had been postponed for various reasons on four different occasions but was finally played on a bright Tuesday evening in April. A win for the Binos would hand them the title and while they didn’t pick up all 3 points, the draw effectively wrapped things up. The sides sharing a point apiece meant that Stirling maintained their 9-point lead over Dumbarton (and with a vastly superior goal difference) with just 3 games to play, allowing the Binos to potentially clinch the title on home soil against Annan 4 days later.
10. Stirling Albion 3-1 Annan Athletic (22nd April 2023)
Heading into this one, some thought the visiting Galabankies could possibly spoil the party as they were one of the division’s in-form teams. And when Chris Johnston fired Annan ahead midway through the first half, Binos fans may have feared that the champagne would need to go back on ice. However, just a minute later their side pulled one back (in fortuitous circumstances) through a Max Kilsby own goal. Second half strikes from Jack Leitch and Flynn Duffy rounded off the scoring to seal the title and ensure that next season the Binos will be playing football in cinch League 1 for the first time since 2014/15. A fitting reward for a fantastic season from Darren Young’s side!
Congratulations Stirling Albion, cinch League 2 champions 2022/23!
