Match report V Ellon

While Alloa conceded another heavy volume of points, this was an altogether different picture to the one that emerged at Strathmore two weeks earlier. There was a real fight and spirit in this Alloa side still suffering from a catalogue of injury and unavailability.

Ellon hit them with four tries in the opening quarter with the long bus journey still in Alloa legs. However once they gained some composure they began to look a real threat. Marc Murray, looking quicker and sharper week on week, made a great break down the right and quickly recycled ball saw David Jess go over in the opposite corner. Lee Cairney converted from the touchline. Alloa threatened soon after from a brilliant break by the outstanding Daniel Murrell only for the wing forward to be dragged down close to the Ellon goal-line. The Alloa scrum was also going well and it was ironic that Ellon scored their fifth try on the stroke of half-time after they managed to salvage ball from a rapidly reversing set-piece.

Half time 29-5.

Facing a stiffening breeze the cards were very much against Alloa but they dug in and virtually matched Ellon score by score in a heart warming second half performance. Kris Aitken was first over the line after Ellon coughed up the second half restart kick. Gregor Sneddon, who had an outstanding return to action after a 4 year lay off, was unluckily denied a score following an adjudged knock on however Alloa were not to be denied much longer. Twice Rab Truesdale crashed through the Ellon defence earning his side a bonus point and later for himself the after-match man of the match award. Lee Cairney slotted all three conversions. With the bonus point secured Alloa still continued to pour forward at every occasion and Matt Duncan forced his way over for a fifth and final try.

This Saturday Alloa travel to Elgin to defend their Caledonia Shield trophy kick-off 1-30pm.