Jamie Hamill has challenged his players to step up and make sure they impress to keep themselves in the team.
Stranraer have not played since the defeat to Annan a fortnight ago, with the Cowdenbeath game scheduled for last week postponed.
At least one change will be made from the game with the Galabankies as Dean Hawkshaw is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines due to a serious hamstring injury.
Hamill was unsure when the former Kilmarnock midfielder might return but feared it could be three to four months.
The manager said: “It is not nice when anybody gets injured, especially long term.
“It is up to somebody else to come in now.
“Dean did well and fought to get into the team, it was not just a case of turning up and playing.
“It is up for grabs now and there are places up for grabs every Saturday.
“People need to perform on a Saturday to keep the jersey.”
The manager’s options are boosted by the return of Paul Woods, who also limped off against Annan earlier this month.
Fortunately, the experienced midfielder has shaken off the knock and could feature when Stirling Albion come to Stair Park on Saturday.
Hamill, who is edging closer to strengthening the squad, was keen to get the first win under his belt and was greedy for points.
He said: “It is a long season.
“I just watched something with Russell Martin, the Swansea manager, and he was saying things take time, they don’t just happen overnight.
“The style of play we want to impose on the boys, they have taken to it really well.
“It takes time but going forward we need to get the first win.
“Other teams are looking for their first win as well.
“Every game, I want to win.
“It is not like when we win one I will think it is job done.
“At the end of the day, we want to win as many games as possible.”
Last meeting
Stirling Albion 2-2 Stranraer
1 May 2021
Perhaps understandably given the position Stranraer and Stirling Albion found themselves in last season, the games between the two clubs were tight affairs.
The most recent encounter came just before the play-offs and saw the spoils shared. Stranraer twice led and twice found themselves back on level terms thanks to late goals at the end of either half. Former Blue Jordan Allan had scored an own goal to put Stevie Farrell’s men in front before Ross McGeachie levelled before the interval.
Darryl Duffy seemed to have secured all three points for Stranraer but Declan Byrne scored with almost the last touch of the game.
Stirling Albion: Currie, McGeachie, Allan, El-Zubaidi, McGregor, Hamilton, K Roberts, Wilson (Mackin 84), Leitch (Docherty 46), Heaver, Bikey (Byrne 88).
Not used: Banner, Greenhorn, Creaney, S Roberts, Thomson and Binnie.
Stranraer: Fleming, Robertson, Burns, Sonkur, Hamill, McManus, Hilton (Duffy 71), Stirling, Millar, Elliott, Orr (Devitt 89).
Not used: Devitt, Josh Walker and Jamie Walker.
Last five meetings
- Stirling Albion 2 Stranraer 2 (McGeachie and Byrne; Own goal and Duffy) at Forthbank Stadium on May 1, 2021
- Stirling Albion 0 Stranraer 1 (Stirling) at Forthbank Stadium on April 13, 2021
- Stranraer 2 Stirling Albion 2 (Orr and Duffy; Ryan (Pen) and Own goal) at Stair Park on December 5, 2020
- Stirling Albion 0 Stranraer 1 (Gibson) at Forthbank Stadium on March 17, 2015
- Stranraer 1 Stirling Albion 0 (McKeown) at Stair Park on January 31, 2015
Last five games
Stranraer
- LOSS v Annan Athletic (H): 0-3
- DRAW v Elgin City (A): 1-1 (Gallagher)
- LOSS v Kilmarnock (A): 2-1 (Josh Walker)
- WIN v East Kilbride (H): 1-0 (Yates)
- LOSS v Clyde (A): 1-0
Stirling Albion
- LOSS v Annan Athletic (A): 3-1 (Roberts)
- LOSS v Kelty Hearts (H): 1-3 (Own goal)
- WIN v Stenhousemuir (A): 0-1 (McNiff)
- WIN v Peterhead (H): 3-1 (McGregor, McNiff and Leitch)
- LOSS v Heart of Midlothian (H): 0-2
Last time out
Stranraer v Annan Athletic: Lyle, Robertson, Burns, Ross, McIntosh, Millar (Langan 53), Gallagher, Woods (Moore 69), Hawkshaw (Rennie 89), Walker (Irving 53), Yates.
Not used: Sonkur and Scullion.
Stirling Albion v Annan Athletic: Currie, McGeachie, McNiff, Cummins, McGregor, Grant, Flanagan (Bikey 72), Carrick (Heaver 79), Moore, Omar (Roberts 46), Mackin.
Not used: Banner, Summers, Creaney and Law.
Admission
Saturday’s game is pay at the gate and open to fans of both clubs, with regular admission prices in place.
Sadly there will be no live stream or Stranraer FC highlights this weekend due to a shortage of media volunteers – if you’re interested in helping out, please get in touch.
Photos: Bill McCandlish
