Hard work is paying off for Stranraer, according to midfielder Dean Hawkshaw.
The ex-Kilmarnock man was among those watching from the sidelines as Stranraer picked up three points against Spartans on Saturday.
Strikes from new signing Sean Docherty and Ryan Edgar gave the Blues their first win at Stair Park since September.
The Edinburgh club had a few chances to take something from the game and twice were denied by the woodwork as Stranraer put in an impressive defensive showing.
Hawkshaw said: “Sometimes you make your own luck and it is up to people to make their saves, make their tackles and make blocks on the line.
“There might have been a wee bit of luck but I think the boys really put in some hard graft and that is what you get when you put in hard work like that.”
Stranraer will look to take that confidence to New Douglas Park and aim for a result against Clyde.
Games between the two sides have been close contests in recent years, with just one of the last eight decided by more than a single goal.
Hawkshaw said: “The boys are feeling confident.
“The game against Spartans showed that we have got that fighting spirit and we are able to battle, win games and grind it out.
“We’ve also got the side to the game where we have got quality players, who can hurt teams.”
The midfielder has not played since a goalless draw with Edinburgh City in December but revealed the issue stemmed from earlier in the season.
He said: “If you remember back to the first game away at Forfar, I went down injured and came back on with two wrist straps on.
“Basically, when I fell over, I double fractured my wrist.
“At the time, it was awfully painful and I went for an x-ray the next day and they told me it was all clear.
“I continued playing but I knew myself that there was something not right.
“Eventually, about 12 weeks later, I went for an MRI and they told me I had a double fracture and needed to get a pin put in it.
“I got a pin put in just before Christmas and the plan was I would be back within six to eight weeks.”
That deadline is fast approaching with Hawkshaw, who has been unable to take part in any sort of contact training, aiming to be involved by February 22 – when Stranraer welcome Stirling Albion to Stair Park.
That also means that the 27-year-old should be available when Forfar Athletic make the trip down the A77 for their twice postponed League Two clash.
The two sides were due to meet on Tuesday night but torrential rain saw the game called off.
Instead, the fixture has been pushed back to March 4.
Hawkshaw, who has been busy running for the last few weeks as he tries to keep as fit as possible, said: “It was a bit bittersweet because I want the boys to do well and pick up from where they left off but, from my point of view, it is good to see it being off, and potentially I will be able to be back for that game.
“It will add in another game before the end of the season for me.
“Hopefully, first of all, I will be able to get back on the pitch for that game and secondly contribute to make sure we get another positive result.”
Last meeting
Goals in either half ensured the points were shared when Clyde visited Stair Park earlier this season.
Jordan Allan had already missed a glaring chance for the visitors before he had an effort chopped off for offside. It was third time unlucky for Stranraer when the frontman lifted a shot from inside the box over a helpless Jacob Pazikas.
A double half time change, with Lewis Reid and Robbie Foster coming on for Chris McQueen and Kirk McKnight, proved the difference.
A third substitute, Ryan Edgar, flicked the ball on and Foster outpaced the Clyde defence. Robbie Hemfrey blocked his shot but Foster was then pulled down by Tommy Robson in the six-yard box. The Clyde man was sent off and Mark Russell fired home from the penalty spot.
Stranraer: Pazikas, Brindley, Ross, McQueen (Reid 46), Robertson, Gallagher, Dunlop (Ecrepont 88), Russell, McKnight (Foster 46), M Grant, Guthrie (Edgar 69).
Not used: McIntosh, Adam and Cummins.
Clyde: Hemfrey, Robson, Hamilton, A Trialist, Cuddihy, Scullion, R Grant, Rennie, Leitch (Redfern 79), Murdoch, Allan.
Not used: Docherty and Kennedy.
Last five meetings
- Stranraer 1 Clyde 1 (Russell (Pen); Allan) at Stair Park on December 28, 2024
- Clyde 1 Stranraer 0 (Grant) at New Douglas Park on August 10, 2024
- Clyde 1 Stranraer 0 (Allan) at New Douglas Park on April 6, 2024
- Stranraer 2 Clyde 0 (Fleming and Ecrepont) at Stair Park on February 10, 2024
- Clyde 2 Stranraer 2 (Rennie and Scullion; Ross and Dolan) at New Douglas Park on December 9, 2023
Last five games
Stranraer
- WIN v Spartans (H): 2-0 (Docherty and Edgar)
- LOSS v Bonnyrigg Rose (A): 3-1 (Russell)
- WIN v Forfar Athletic (A): 0-1 (Gallagher)
- LOSS v East Fife (H): 0-2
- LOSS v Peterhead (A): 0-1
Clyde
- LOSS v Bonnyrigg Rose (A): 2-1 (Rennie)
- DRAW v Elgin City (H): 0-0
- LOSS v Edinburgh City (H): 0-2
- LOSS v East Fife (A): 3-0
- WIN v Stirling Albion (H): 2-0 (Leitch and Scullion)
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v Spartans: Lane, Brindley, Reid, Ross, Docherty, Dunlop (McKnight 76), Robertson, Gallagher, Russell, Foster (M Grant 65), Edgar (Quigg 90).
Not used: Ecrepont and Kane.
Clyde
Lineup v Bonnyrigg Rose: Hemfrey, Robson (Hynes 87), Hamilton, Howie, Dunachie, Cuddihy, Scullion, R Grant, Hannah (Lyon 69), Sutherland (Rennie 73), Williamson (Connell 73).
Not used: Watt, Docherty and Kennedy.
Five facts
1. Each of Clyde’s wins (five in total) in the league this season have come at home, with their last three points on the road coming on the last day of last season when they defeated Elgin City 3-0.
2. Same name, different person. Stranraer and Clyde fans have both cheered on a Jordan Allan in their team in recent seasons. Stranraer’s version spent a single season at the club in 2019/20 and scored three goals, including one in a 3-3 draw against Clyde. Now playing for Glenafton Athletic, the left back turned 30 on Friday. Clyde’s version scored his final goal for the club in the most recent meeting of the two sides. Since then, he has joined Queen of the South and scored once in four appearances.
3. Stranraer’s last three points against Clyde away from Stair Park was all the way back in 1998. An Alan Lansdowne goal 10 minutes from time proved the difference. To put that in perspective, only six members of the Stranraer squad had been born at that time. The Stranraer team was: Matthews, Black, Campbell, Knox, Watson, Johnstone, Lansdowne, McAulay, English (Friels 78), Kinnaird, Young (Crawford 81). Not used: Duffy.
4. However, the Blues have won on one occasion in a cup since then. That came in 2017 and saw the visitors come from 2-0 down. Martin McNiff and Smart Osadolor had put Clyde in front but a Scott Agnew penalty and a Jordan Stewart own goal ensured the game went to extra time. Ryan Wallace was the match winner with a goal on 103 minutes. The game also marked a little bit of history as Stranraer used a fourth substitute for the first time when Jamie Hamill replaced Agnew with 12 minutes of extra time left.
5. Ryan Edgar’s late goal against Spartans last time out was enough to move him to third top scorer for Stranraer this season, despite it being his first in the league. It his fourth goal of the campaign, with the others coming against Stirling Albion in the League Cup and a double against Threave Rovers in the Scottish Cup.
Merchandise
Our new red third shirt is now available to purchase on the online club shop.
You can also pick up our locally inspired home top, yellow away shirt, and this season’s training jersey.
Admission
The home club ask supporters to purchase tickets online prior to kickoff.
You can also buy yours from the Clyde matchday office.
Pricing is as follows:
- Adult – £17
- Over 65 – £14
- Under 18 – £5
Coverage
If you can’t make it on Saturday, follow our live matchday updates on X (formerly Twitter).
Following the match, the manager’s interview will be available on YouTube during the evening, and Club 1870 subscribers can watch the goals before midnight.
With Laurence Nelson unavailable, we are delighted to have Deryn Lang making his debut in the commentary booth on Saturday, as the Blues striker joins Brian Martin.
You can hear Brian and Deryn on Sunday morning’s extended highlights package, with full match footage available via Club 1870 on Sunday afternoon.
Photos: Bill McCandlish
