Elgin City defender Matthew Cooper hopes the Black and Whites can pick up from where they left off when they host Stirling Albion in League 2 today.
City were left frustrated when last weekend’s home game against Cowdenbeath was called off an hour prior to kick off, due to sections of the Borough Briggs pitch being deemed unplayable by referee Gavin Ross as a result of stone and gravel which had gathered during a dry summer in Elgin.
Following repair work this week, the surface has now been given the go ahead to host today’s match against the Binos.
Cooper feels his side have laid down strong foundations for the new campaign, with victories against Edinburgh City and Albion Rovers and a draw away to Annan Athletic, and the 24-year-old aims to continue the fine start with a victory against a Stirling side who have yet to register a point.
Cooper said: “We were all disappointed last week as we had come into the game on the back of a good start and we know how important momentum is throughout the season.
“Home form has been a massive part of previous seasons. We know that in order to be challenging at the right end of the table we will need to make the most of our home games, while also improving our away record which in previous years has not been as good.
“I don’t think you can look into league positions this early. Stirling will be a strong side again this year, and they will be looking to kick start their season against us which we cannot allow to happen.”
Former Caley Thistle player Cooper has shown his versatility in recent weeks, having stepped into a wide midfield position in addition to his normal defensive role.
With Elgin conceding just one league goal so far, Cooper believes an injection of both youth and experience has shored up the Moray side’s backline, with veteran former Scotland international Craig Beattie having joined from Edinburgh City in the summer, and teenager David Wilson emerging in the early weeks of the campaign.
Cooper added: “Craig and David have come in and been excellent. They are both a big part of why we have been keeping it tight at the back.
“Craig’s experience is something we may have been missing in previous seasons, and David has taken every game in his stride and is improving every week.
“We worked really hard in pre-season on shape and different formations we may use throughout the season.
“I have already found myself in a couple of different positions in the back three or even in the right side of a four in midfield recently, which I am enjoying.”
