Annan: Jim Chapman looks for positive reaction to defeat

Leaders Annan look to bounce back after losing to Stirling Albion last weekend when Clyde visit this afternoon and ensure that they end the first half of the season in pole position.

Barry Fergusons Clyde stand in Annans way today. Picture: SNS

Galabank manager Jim Chapman said: “It was disappointing to lose at Forthbank as the game looked set to finish at nil-nil. We had chances and never took them.

“We have played worse and won but we have taken comfort from the fact that we have remained in top position in a very competitive league. It is tight and losing last weekend tightened things up a bit. However it is all about how we react.”

Clyde go into the game following their first defeat in six games by Arbroath. Bully Wee manager Barry Ferguson said: “We were the better team and should have won but it was just not our day.

“We never took our chances and perhaps should have closed them down better at the first goal.”

Queen’s Park will go top if they beat visitors Berwick and Annan fail to win. Head coach Gus MacPherson said: “Winning will be far from easy. Berwick are showing signs of improvement since John Coughlin went in there as their manager and won 4-0 at East Stirling last weekend.”

Elgin will also look to end their first round of home games undefeated when Montrose pitch up at Borough Briggs, while Stirling Albion will aim to keep East Fife’s play-off hopes at arm’s length by seeing off Gary Naysmith’s side at Forthbank.

Arbroath will look to make it three wins in a row when they host East Stirling.