Luke Scullion
A season of two halves for former Partick Thistle and Rangers goalkeeper Luke Scullion.
The keeper started off as the Stranraer number one with George O’Connor as his competition. He played in three of the four Scottish League Cup games and then kept a clean sheet on the opening day of the league season against Annan Athletic.
Kept his place in the team until September’s trip to Forthbank when he missed out through injury. Was named as a substitute for Stranraer’s 2-1 win over Albion Rovers as O’Connor kept his place.
Returned to the first team and was ever-present in the lead up to Christmas. Suffered a broken collarbone against Bonnyrigg Rose on December 23 and was stretchered off.
Looked like his season was over but made a surprise return to the squad ahead of trip to Annan at the end of March. Was named in the starting XI for the second trip to New Dundas Park and kept a clean sheet the following week against Forfar Athletic. Was unlucky enough to be between the sticks as East Fife won 8-0.
Started each of Scott Agnew’s three games in charge before moving on at the end of the season.
- Games: 26
- Goals: 0
- Minutes: 2324
George O’Connor
Brought in at the beginning of the season to provide competition for Luke Scullion, George O’Connor made his debut against Dundee in the Scottish League Cup.
His first league start came two months later at Stirling Albion. A 4-1 defeat was followed by Stranraer ending Dumbarton’s unbeaten start to the campaign in a pulsating midweek contest at Stair Park.
Helped Stranraer to a 2-1 win over Albion Rovers but did not feature again until Scullion’s injury at New Dundas Park. Played the next four games – defeats to Stenhousemuir and Albion Rovers, a win over East Fife and a defeat to Stirling Albion – before Matty Connelly took over between the sticks.
The on loan Motherwell goalkeeper then missed a trip to Annan through injury and O’Connor kept an important clean sheet. Season looked over after a serious hand injury but came off the bench for the final eight minutes at Dumbarton on the last day of the campaign.
- Games: 11 (including 2 sub appearances)
- Goals: 0
- Minutes: 826
Matty Connelly
Loan signing Matty Connelly joined the club from Motherwell when Luke Scullion suffered a serious injury two days before Christmas against Bonnyrigg Rose.
Initially, had to be content with a place on the bench but made his debut against Forfar Athletic. The Angus side won 2-1 and Bonnyrigg Rose were winners at Stair Park seven days later. Had shown promise in the latter contest, including a penalty save, and kept clean sheets against Elgin City and East Fife on consecutive weekends.
Helped Stranraer to a point against Stirling Albion and final appearance came in a 1-0 win at Cliftonhill where the visitors were down to 10 men for half the game. Injury brought to an end what looked like being a promising campaign.
Returned to Motherwell at the end of his loan spell.
- Games: 7
- Goals: 0
- Minutes: 630
Andrew Downie
A regular member of the South of Scotland team, Andrew Downie was called upon on occasion to be the backup goalkeeper for the first team.
Made his first appearance on the bench away to Stirling Albion when George O’Connor was promoted to the first team. Kept his place for the pulsating 3-2 win over Dumbarton before Luke Scullion returned to the squad.
Was among the substitutes again at Cliftonhill in January as Scullion was ruled out through injury. On the bench for the trip to Bonnyrigg Rose at the beginning of April and for the draw with Forfar seven days later.
26 year old is yet to make his debut but has been there as backup if required.
- Games: 0
- Goals: 0
- Minutes: 0
