Six-goal Stirling run riot in warm-up test as boss prepares for punishing season
There was fun in the Bo'ness sun for the Stirling Albion fans as they watched their side romp to an easy win in their latest pre-season test.
But boss Alan Maybury says it's all hard work for his players ahead of a season which could bring an extra punishing workload.
The Binos headed to Newtown Park to take on Bo'ness United from the Lowland League and after a sticky start where both sides traded goals inside the opening 11 minutes, Albion streaked away to a comfortable 6-1 win.
The weekend fixture was part of a pre-season schedule which will continue with matches against Glenrothes and Broxburn in the next week, all as part of plans to be firing for the League Cup group phase and the start of the League Two season on August 2.
Maybury told the club's YouTube channel: 'It was a worthwhile exercise. We probably found it a little difficult early on, they pressed high and we had to find a solution in terms of getting out, but it was important that we went through that and found some solutions.
'We played some better football as the first half went on and scored a couple of good goals; the second half the wind really helped us and the plan was always to go 60/30 with the team.
'It's all building in for the season and we have a couple of friendlies before the League Cup, then four matches there and it's still another week after that so it's a long build up to the league.
'With the new SPFL Trust groups as well, if you get through the first phase, you're talking close to 50 games in a season which is a big ask for part-time players so we're just trying to get everyone in the squad up to speed.'
An extensive summer revamp at Forthbank has led to excitement in the Binos support about possibly success in the season ahead, with a potent-looking forward line among the areas offering real hope.
New arrivals Russell McLean and Ross Cunningham were among those on the scoresheet on Saturday - the latter with a stunning long-range free kick - and Dale Carrick also continued his strong early form with a goal.
Maybury admits the strength in depth in the forward areas could present a headache, but admits he doesn't mind the sleepless nights.
'There is a good competition for places in those forward positions and most of them getting on the scoresheet is a really pleasing thing', the Irishman added.
'The summer so far has been good, I think this time last year we had eight players signed, so first thing we wanted to keep the majority of our squad and then we've gone out to recruit a certain type of player which I think we've managed well.
'[Kyle] Banner has now come in and played today, there are still one or two coming back from injury and we have [Ross] Cunningham and Russell [McLean] up there who will make a difference.
'Goalscoring wasn't our problem last year but we did lose some goals out the door, so those players will help with that.'
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