Steven Whittaker has challenged his players to maintain their home form after starting the KDM Evolution Trophy league phase with a 4-2 victory over League One side Cove Rangers.
A three-goal blitz in the final ten minutes of the first half put Albion in control against the Aberdeen side on Tuesday evening, and they never sacrificed the advantage despite a late flurry from Cove to walk out winners.
The result puts three points on the board in the six-match league phase of the competition, but the former Scotland defender talked up the need of making Forthbank a difficult place to visit.
Whittaker's fortress call
He said: “I’ve said to the boys to make Forthbank a bit of a fortress, regardless of who we’re playing and the competition.
“We played with good energy and structure in the first half and scored some nice goals so that was pleasing.
“It was more disjointed in the second half and we encouraged some pressure on our goal where I would have preferred us to be more on the front foot with the two-goal cushion.
“We managed to see it out and rode our luck near the end to got the result which mattered.”
Squad depth on show
The midweek win featured a chance for some of Whittaker’s squad yet to secure game time in the league to impress, with academy graduate Robin Raine netting his first professional goal and ex-Ballymena defender Ali Gould putting in a composed display at the back.
But young winger Austin Laird was forced to come off just 12 minutes after his cameo off the bench due to a facial injury.
“We made quite a few changes but hopefully with the squad we’ve built, players are capable of stepping in and performing regardless”, Whittaker continued.
“Everyone is stepping up to the mark and it makes my job tougher which is the position I wanted to be in.
“Austin came on against Spartans and showed real creativity, so he was one I was looking forward to seeing, he has an X factor to use on the big pitch at home.
“It was disappointing that he caught a flying elbow and had to come off, but he’s a young boy and he’ll have his moments.”
