Stirling Albion boss Darren Young dedicated the Binos’ latest heart-stopping win over Bonnyrigg Rose to the band of volunteers who helped the game beat the big freeze.
Saturday’s match came on the back of a disappointing late call-off in Dumbarton midweek and with the Sons’ fixture once again falling foul to the weather, a hardy group answered the club’s call to lay covers in an effort to keep the Forthbank surface playable.
That commitment was rewarded when the match passed a morning pitch inspection – and the Binos left it late to keep their side of the bargain, with Jack Leitch’s stoppage time winner cutting the gap at the top to just two points.
It had been a tricky afternoon for the Binos, who were staring down the possibility of losing their long unbeaten run to the league’s basement boys. But once again they showed their fight to dig out a precious three points.
After the thriller, Young said: “We just have a great attitude and mentality to keep on going, going and going.
“We knew that was going to be a hard game, it was the last time we played here and the same in the game away when we got a late goal and this was even later.
“The first half, Blair hasn’t really had a save to make and we’ve had one disallowed, we’ve had another few right good chances but maybe the quality in the final third was lacking.
“I have to give them credit because they’ve come and made a real game of it but the attitude of the guys was just magnificent and it’s a three points that means a lot.
“One thing I really want to talk about are the volunteers, what a difference they have made to get the game on today because we were desperate to get it on after Tuesday’s situation.
“I can’t thank the guys enough for coming out and doing that and the pitch managed to pass the inspection so the result is as much for them as it is for us.”
The match also featured a first senior goal for Dundee United youngster Flynn Duffy to set the Binos on their way – before Leitch’s late winner sent the Albion players and faithful into delirium.
“He [Duffy] got his head down and over the ball and it was just an absolute belter”, Young added.
“The finish from Leitchy at the end was brilliant as well, just curls it into the corner and the movement off the ball was great – it was a real sickener for them but just delighted for us.
“You can see the celebrations from the fans and on the pitch at the end, it means a hell of a lot to everybody to get the result and to win it in that manner with a last-minute goal is brilliant.
“Everybody has played their part because we could hear the fans cheering us on and still behind us even though we were losing in the game. It’s the sign of a good team when you don’t play as well as you could have and still get the three points.”
