Saturday’s win over Edinburgh City was something Stranraer have deserved in recent weeks, according to Tom Brindley.
The Blues ended a four-game losing streak thanks to goals from Max Guthrie and Deryn Lang either side of the half time interval.
Brindley and his team-mates could consider themselves unlucky to have taken nothing from the games against Forfar, Clyde, Spartans and Stirling Albion.
However, the former Forfar man was pleased to see the team get back to winning ways at Stair Park.
Speaking after the full-time whistle, he said: “It was good to bounce back.
“Two games to go now and we want to end the season on a high and get as high up the table as possible.
“I think we have been the better team at times recently.
“I feel like we are playing some nice stuff but it is just we are not coming away with the result.
“Fortunately, we got that today.”
It was not just the result that was pleasing for everyone involved with the club.
On a day where there was little to play for as Stranraer knew they would be playing League Two football next season, the Blues put in an impressive performance against a team aiming for promotion.
Matty Grant, Elliot Dunlop and Craig Ross all could have added to the winning margin.
Brindley said: “It is all about self pride.
“It is a good bunch of lads and we will go to the end to try to win as many games as possible and get as many points as possible.”
The next chance to get more points comes this Saturday when Chris Aitken’s side make the long journey north to Elgin City.
The Borough Briggs side will be boosted by a 4-0 triumph over title-chasing Peterhead last time out.
They are also aiming to cement their place in the play-offs on the penultimate weekend of the league season.
Brindley said: “It is a tough game next week up at Elgin but we have certainly got the quality to go up and get a result from the game.”
Last meeting
The third meeting of the season between Stranraer and Elgin City, like the previous two, proved a tight contest.
Kane Hester had a chance to open the scoring but after rounding Josh Lane he could not find a way past Lewis Reid. At the other end, Ryan Edgar danced his way round two defenders but Thomas McHale got a fingertip to the shot to turn it round the post.
The teams could not be separated over the first half but it took a stunning Lane save from Jack MacIver’s effort to keep the scores blank.
The goalkeeper would also deny Russell Dingwall before the game’s only goal came in memorable fashion. Only Matty Grant will know if it was a shot or a cross but the result was the ball ending up in the back of the net.
Stranraer: Lane, Robertson, Ross, Reid, Docherty, G Gallagher (McKnight 38), Dunlop (Guthrie 87), Quigg, Ecrepont, Grant (Lang 87), Edgar (Foster 78).
Not used: Brindley and Kane.
Elgin City: McHale, Booth, Dolzanski, Girvan (Cairns 81), Dingwall, Cameron (Draper 50), MacIver, Hyde (Leslie 70), M Gallagher, McDonald (Sargent 70), Hester (Golding 71).
Not used: Taylor, MacEwan, MacDonald and Glavin.
Last five meetings
- Stranraer 1 Elgin City 0 (Grant) at Stair Park on February 15, 2025
- Elgin City 1 Stranraer 0 (Murray) at Borough Briggs on November 2, 2024
- Stranraer 1 Elgin City 1 (Robertson; Murray) at Stair Park on August 24, 2024
- Stranraer 1 Elgin City 2 (Own goal; Ewan and Jeffreys) at Stair Park on March 16, 2024
- Elgin City 2 Stranraer 1 (Dingwall (Pen) and Harvey (Pen); Lang) at Borough Briggs on January 6, 2024
Last five games
Stranraer
- WIN v Edinburgh City (H): 2-0 (Guthrie and Lang)
- LOSS v Stirling Albion (A): 3-1 (Dunlop)
- LOSS v Spartans (A): 2-1 (Guthrie)
- LOSS v Clyde (H): 1-2 (Russell (Pen))
- LOSS v Forfar Athletic (H): 0-1
Elgin City
- WIN v Peterhead (H): 4-0 (Murray, Dingwall, Sargent and Gavin)
- LOSS v Edinburgh City (A): 2-0
- LOSS v Stirling Albion (H): 0-2
- WIN v Bonnyrigg Rose (A): 0-1 (Golding)
- WIN v Spartans (A): 1-2 (Golding and MacIver)
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v Edinburgh City: Lane, Robertson (Brindley 73), Ross, Reid, Docherty, Russell (Mitchell 81), Quigg, McKnight (Grant 60), Ecrepont, Guthrie (Dunlop 73), Lang (Edgar 81).
Not used: Hilferty, Ellis and Kane.
Elgin City
Lineup v Peterhead: Glavin, Dolzanski, Murray, Cairns, Girvan, Dingwall, Golding (Gavin 71), Hyde (Fleming 80), Gallagher (Cameron 86), MacIver, Sargent (McDonald 86).
Not used: Cooper, MacEwan, Fraser, MacDonald and McHale.
Five facts
1. Harry Mitchell’s appearance off the bench last weekend means his four appearances have come under three different managers and three seasons. His debut came against Rangers in 2019 (when Stevie Farrell was the manager) before he made two appearances under Scott Agnew against Stenhousemuir and Dumbarton. Now, he has also played under Chris Aitken.
2. Thursday marked the 28th birthday of current Stranraer midfielder Dean Hawkshaw. Starting his career at Kilmarnock, Hawkshaw first joined Stranraer in 2018 on a loan deal from the Rugby Park side. He made 12 appearances in his first spell and has added exactly 100 more since then.
3. Deryn Lang’s seventh goal of the season last weekend takes him level with Elliot Dunlop in second place for goals scored this season. It also takes him to 12 in a Stranraer shirt – one ahead of Matty Grant. Next in his sights will be Craig Ross, who is on 13.
4. Only three of the last 15 meetings between Stranraer and Elgin City have been decided by more than the odd goal. Stranraer were 2-0 winners back in April 2022 when Matty Yates and Sam Ellis scored at Stair Park. The Blues were 3-1 winners 12 months later thanks to goals from Dylan Forrest, Matty Grant and Josh Walker – Aaron Reid scoring for the visitors. Finally, in November 2023, Stranraer were again 3-1 winners as Forrest and Grant were joined on the scoresheet by James Dolan. Rob Jones found the net for the opposition.
5. Stranraer to Elgin is about 269 miles – almost the same as Stranraer to former player/assistant manager Darryl Duffy’s former club Hull City.
Food and drink
As a small thank you for your unwavering support and dedication this season, we will provide all Blues supporters making the trip to Elgin with a voucher for a free pie from the away catering area.
Gary Redhead will be on hand with vouchers, so come and say hello if we don’t see you first!
Admission
Match entry is via the Fanbase app or payment at the turnstiles.
Admission prices are as follows:
- Adult (Stand) – £18 (tickets only available via the home club’s Fanbase app)
- Adult (Ground) – £16
- Concession (Stand) – £12.00 (tickets only available via the home club’s Fanbase app)
- Concession (Ground) – £10.00
- Under 16s – FREE (with a paying adult)
Coverage
We have live matchday updates on X (formerly Twitter) for those not making the long journey north, and the manager’s interview will be available on YouTube following the game.
Club 1870 subscribers can catch the goals after 10pm on Saturday night, along with full match footage later on Sunday.
Extended highlights will be available via YouTube on Sunday afternoon, with Laurence Nelson and Brian Martin on commentary.
Photos: Bill McCandlish
