Well the weekend and last Thursday has not seen a huge change at the top of our respective leagues but there has been plenty to discuss as people have fallen out and got fallen in with the SPFL fixture lists.
SPFL CHAMPIONSHIP
Hamilton proved to have the undoing of Jim McIntyre’s Queen of the South as Louis Longridge, Mikael Antoine–Courier and Ali Crawford provided the 3 to Iain Russell’s 1 for the Doonhamers. Falkirk cemented their play off spot as Rory Loy converted a penalty after Coll Donaldson had received his marching orders for Livingston. Finally Kenny Shiels may be boarding a bus for Lourdes soon after he saw his side crash to Dumbarton as a Bryan Prunty penalty and Chris Kane’s first for the Sons gave Dumbarton a 2-0 home win.
At the top Hamilton Academical (37) closed the gap on Dundee (39) whilst the play off spots continue to be between Falkirk (32), Raith Rovers (29) and Alloa Athletic (28). Underneath the midriff of the league has Livingston (25), Dumbarton (24) up one spot and Queen of the South (22) just above relegation trouble. Cowdenbeath (18) could still make waves before April but Greenock Morton (9) have the stench of a steak pie about them.
SPFL LEAGUE ONE
Sean Winter, Martin Grehan – twice – and Andy Stirling proved that Stranraer are officially Mark Roberts’ bogey team as they thrashed Ayr United 4-0 at home. Elsewhere the strain of domestic competition didn’t seem to throw the Rangers charge to the title off track as 2 from Nicky Law saw them through safely against Stenhousemuir. Anthony Peralta did get sent off – probably complained about the fixtures to the referee.
There were no changes to league positions after these two games though Rangers got closer to the title as Stranraer got closer to the play offs.
SPFL LEAGUE TWO
Josh Todd and Kenny McKay got the goals that counted and stepped Jim Chapman’s Annan Athletic into 2nd spot. Their 2-0 win against Albion Rovers was the big move of the day though their move up was thanks to the shock of the day. Clyde managed to go 1 up through Stefan McCluskey but a Blair Spittal penalty and 1 from Thomas Collins got Queen’s Park a 2-1 victory at Broadwood. Stirling Albion completed the play off places as Craig Comrie and Mark Ferry late on got the 2 goals that beat East Stirlingshire at home after Max Wright had put the Shire ahead.
It all means that Peterhead (36) are still 5 points in the clear but now with Annan Athletic (31) on their tails. Clyde (31) are still there but Stirling Albion (28) are suddenly within touching distance. Albion Rovers (26) and East Stirlingshire (26) head the pack whilst Montrose (24), Berwick Rangers (23) and Elgin City (20) are in danger of falling away. Queen’s Park (10) are delirious to have finally hit double figures!
