Scottish Championship Play-Off Semi-Final
Saturday 9th May 2015
Having spent a few days 'up north' in the greatest country on the planet, a trip to Alloa Athletic's Indodrill Stadium, located deep in Clackmannanshire, was most definitely on the cards to push me one step closer to completing the Scottish 42.
As it turned out, this would be my fourth game in as many days following trips to East Fife, Greenock Morton (to watch Celtic's youth team) and Motherwell.
As always, what should have been a straightforward trip to Alloa threw up a couple of challenges as I was determined not to pay for a single ticket from Glasgow to Alloa, then a single ticket from Alloa to Edinburgh, where I was heading back home from the following night.
So, to keep costs down, I took full advantage of Megabus' dirt-cheap fares and headed to Edinburgh at around 8.30am, before then heading north on the train - eventually arriving in Alloa just after 1.00pm having stopped in Stirling for an hour or so, to pass the time.
Despite somehow managing to get lost on my way from the station to the ground (not sure how when it's just a five-minute walk), I still got to the Indodrill Stadium in good time - so much so that I was one of the first people to pass through the turnstiles and enter the stadium.
The ground itself is pleasant enough with the two ends being relatively undeveloped, barring a small terrace, whilst on the sides lies a temporary stand of red seats which is opposite a 'wendy house' style main stand. In addition, the Clackmannanshire hills are easily visible in the distance and the scenery just adds to the charm of the place.
As for the game, Alloa had a somewhat obese Michael Chopra in their ranks and with such experience, plus the fact that they were already 2-0 up from the first leg, you'd have been forgiven for thinking that this would be a straightforward game on home soil as they sought to protect their status in the Scottish Championship.
Opponents Brechin, nevertheless, had other ideas and from the first whistle they seized the initiative and dominated proceedings. What cost them, however, was their wastefulness as time and time again, they were unable to find a goal to halve the Wasps' aggregate lead - much to the frustration of manager, Ray McKinnon. Eventually, Alan Trouten broke the deadlock on 82 minutes, but despite some nerve-jangling moments in the closing stages, Brechin couldn't strike again to force extra-time and Alloa held on to set-up a play-off final with much-fancied Forfar Athletic.
The journey back to Edinburgh again wasn't quite straightforward as I opted to stop in Larbert, to visit Stenhousemuir's Ochilview Park and get some photos of the ground. Stenny had just competed in a play-off game of their own where they managed to edge out East Fife.
Overall, my trip to Alloa was money well-spent and it means I've now got only Elgin, Brechin, Dundee and Peterhead to visit north of the border before I've done the whole lot in the SPFL.
Saturday 9th May 2015
 |
| The programme - featuring Michael Chopra |
Having spent a few days 'up north' in the greatest country on the planet, a trip to Alloa Athletic's Indodrill Stadium, located deep in Clackmannanshire, was most definitely on the cards to push me one step closer to completing the Scottish 42.
As it turned out, this would be my fourth game in as many days following trips to East Fife, Greenock Morton (to watch Celtic's youth team) and Motherwell.
 |
| Edinburgh Waverley. A place I've spent many Saturday's aimlessly rushing about. |
As always, what should have been a straightforward trip to Alloa threw up a couple of challenges as I was determined not to pay for a single ticket from Glasgow to Alloa, then a single ticket from Alloa to Edinburgh, where I was heading back home from the following night.
So, to keep costs down, I took full advantage of Megabus' dirt-cheap fares and headed to Edinburgh at around 8.30am, before then heading north on the train - eventually arriving in Alloa just after 1.00pm having stopped in Stirling for an hour or so, to pass the time.
 |
| Outside the Indodrill Stadium. |
Despite somehow managing to get lost on my way from the station to the ground (not sure how when it's just a five-minute walk), I still got to the Indodrill Stadium in good time - so much so that I was one of the first people to pass through the turnstiles and enter the stadium.
The ground itself is pleasant enough with the two ends being relatively undeveloped, barring a small terrace, whilst on the sides lies a temporary stand of red seats which is opposite a 'wendy house' style main stand. In addition, the Clackmannanshire hills are easily visible in the distance and the scenery just adds to the charm of the place.
 |
| The Brechin players warm-up. |
As for the game, Alloa had a somewhat obese Michael Chopra in their ranks and with such experience, plus the fact that they were already 2-0 up from the first leg, you'd have been forgiven for thinking that this would be a straightforward game on home soil as they sought to protect their status in the Scottish Championship.
 |
| Looking beyond the stand towards the Clackmannanshire hills. |
Opponents Brechin, nevertheless, had other ideas and from the first whistle they seized the initiative and dominated proceedings. What cost them, however, was their wastefulness as time and time again, they were unable to find a goal to halve the Wasps' aggregate lead - much to the frustration of manager, Ray McKinnon. Eventually, Alan Trouten broke the deadlock on 82 minutes, but despite some nerve-jangling moments in the closing stages, Brechin couldn't strike again to force extra-time and Alloa held on to set-up a play-off final with much-fancied Forfar Athletic.
 |
| Another view of the 3G surface. |
The journey back to Edinburgh again wasn't quite straightforward as I opted to stop in Larbert, to visit Stenhousemuir's Ochilview Park and get some photos of the ground. Stenny had just competed in a play-off game of their own where they managed to edge out East Fife.
Overall, my trip to Alloa was money well-spent and it means I've now got only Elgin, Brechin, Dundee and Peterhead to visit north of the border before I've done the whole lot in the SPFL.
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