Stirling 2nd X1 3-2 Balmore

Caledonian League
Saturday 20th October 2012

Stirling escaped from the Gannochy with three points after a lackluster performance almost cost them the victory right at the death.

Taking advantage of the freshly built 4G astroturf, the game took place on the new surface with Stirling looking to take advantage of the width the park provides.

Balmore made most of the early running as Stirling struggled to get a foot on the ball. The unconventional set-up applied in the middle of the park by the away side was troubling the students as their opponents continually swapped positions.

Bagged the 1st

Keith Glendinning and Harry Stewart were dealing well with the lone striker as their opponents failed to convert their possession into goals, while at the other end, the imposing striking duo of Jacob Arnold-Smith and Elliot Sutcliffe were slowly beginning to link up better after a slow start.

Stirling could have went ahead when Arnold-Smith spun his defender and was bearing down on goal. However the ex-Gillingham man failed to notice the run of Oliver Monguel and fired his shot over the bar as Balmore escaped.

Scott Tully was continuing his recent run of good form out on the left, beating his man time and again but Stirling couldn't quite take advantage of his delivery.

The home side were to take the lead as Arnold-Smith made up for his earlier error. Spinning away from the close attentions of the central defender he fed a delightful ball in behind for Monguel. the ex-Fulham trainee shot early to the surprise of the keeper, and he was unable to prevent the ball crossing the line.

The goal settled Stirling, but rather than build on they were pegged back ten minutes later. A looped ball in behind put Glendinning and Jake Fifer in trouble and Balmore's striker pounced to nick the ball past the keeper and tap home.

Gave Stirling a half-time lead

With the scores level Stirling started again and were looking the more likely to score as the half drifted to a close and they were fortunate to go in a goal with Arnold-Smith on target. A whipped ball in from the right fell to Sutcliffe and his lay off was fired home.

There was one change at the break with Graeme Crawford  replacing Matthew Sheridan at left-back.

Riteesh Mishra and Cole Harrop were working hard in the middle of the park, up against three, and were spreading the ball from side to side effectively. The tempo of the game remained low however, which left Stirling unable to play with their usual quick pass and move approach.

Balmore were coming more and more into the game as the half wore on with Stirling failing to make the right decisions in the final third and losing possession far too frequently.

The away sides right hand side was their main threat as Stirling failed to deal with wandering midfielders and the began to create chances with Fifer having to be at his best to tip a goal bound effort round the post.

Numerous key saves

Fifer was again involved as Balmore threatened an equaliser after a series of questionable refereeing decisions went against the home side; most noticeably some swinging elbows which Crawford and Stewart had to battle through.

With 20 minutes to go Stirling brought on Alex Wilson and Evan Brandsdorfer for the two front men as they looked to consolidate their lead. Callum Liddle replaced Tully with ten minutes left in an attempt to further shore up the defence.

The away side did get their goal though with just two minutes remaining as the ball was curled into the top corner past the helpless, and unfortunate, Fifer as Balmore looked to have snatched a point.

Last minute winner

However Stirling showed some character and pushed up the field. Wilson rolled his marker on the edge of the area and played the ball to Harrop's feet. His touch and shot was drilled beautifully into the top corner as Stirling nicked the three points right at the death.

An unusually poor performance for Stirling but in the end a valuable win which leaves them mid-table with a few games in hand.



Stirling: Fifer, Aitken, Glendinning, Stewart, Sheridan (Crawford 45), Monguel, Mishra, Harrop, Tully (Liddle 80), Sutcliffe (Wilson 70), Arnold-Smith (Brandsdorfer 70)

Stirling 2nd X1's next game is away to Viewfield Rovers in the Colville Park West Scotland Cup on Saturday 27th October with a 2pm kick off.

Follow all the University football teams at www.stir.ac.uk/footballclub and on Twitter @SUFC_Official

Review of the Season 2011/2012

Just thought I'd give a recap of the season plus all the results and scorers, missing one goal against Stirling Boys Club so first one to claim it gets it!

Objectives at the start of the season were to win the Wednesday league and challenge for promotion in the Saturday league. Fortunately we've managed to achieve both of these and fully deserved to do so!

Highlights:

• Doing the double over Glasgow 2's
• 8-0 win over Edinburgh 4's
• Only team to beat Braehead over the season
• Freshers bedding in to the team well
• Dougs finally finding the net on a regular basis
• John McCallum

Poor Moments:

• Loss to Edinburgh away
• Two losses to Dunblane
• Not getting out the groups in the Wednesday Cup
• Poor cup runs on a Saturday
• Conceding 78 goals
• Angus Wilson

Special Mention to boys that are leaving, massive parts of the club that will be hard to follow:

Tom Flanagan

Ross Chapman

Mikey MacDougall

John McCallum

Michael Tuohy

Stirling University 3rd Team 2011/12- Results and Scorers

V Kirkintilloch Miners 1-2 Boyle

V Slammanan- 3-2- Crawford pen, McLachlan, Wells

V Glasgow 2’s- 3-2- Crawford, Bailey, Lynch

V Dunblane Thistle- 2-4- Crawford pen, McLachlan

V Braehead- 2-5 Sutcliffe, McLachlan

V Edinburgh 4’s- 8-0- Dalrymple 2, Fergusson, Lynch, Crawford 2(1 pen), McCallum, Gemmell

V Commrie Tavern- 3-4- Tuohy, Crawford, Rathore

V Napier 1’s- 0-3

V Camelon- 4-0- Tuohy, Mahoney, Betreen, Crawford

V Musselburgh 4-0 Wells, Smith 2, McLachlan

V Heriot Watt 3’s- 3-0- MacDougall, Quinn, Gemmell

V Loganlea 2-3- Lynch, MacDougall

V Aberdeen 2’s 2-0- McCallum, Crawford

V Milton 4-1- Quinn 2, Tuohy, Crawford

V Glasgow 2’s 4-0 Crawford pen, McCallum 2, MacDougall

V Bluebell 0-6

V St Andrews 1’s 3-6 Rathore 2, OG

V Dunblane 1-3 Sutcliffe

V Edinburgh 4’s 0-3

Christmas Break

V Robert Gordon 2’s 1-1 MacDougall

V Robert Gordon 2’s 3-0 Touhy, Bailey, OG

V Stirling Boys Club 2-1 Quinn, McLachlan

V Aberdeen 2’s 0-0

V Zetland 2-3 Hughes (2)

V Redbrae 5-2 Crawford 2(1 pen), Quinn, MacDougall, Glass

V Stirling Boys Club 3-1 Crawford, MacDougall, ?

V Bannockburn 2-0 Wells, Smith

V Loganlea 4-4 Tuohy, Cooper (2), McCall

V Braehead 2-1 Rathore, MacDonald

V Stirling Thistle 6-1 Hughes 3, McLachlan 2, Barker

V Camelon Albion 0-2

V Stirling Thistle 2-1 Rathore, Tuohy

V Milton 3-4 McCall, McLachlan, Tuohy

V Camelon Albion 5-3 Mitchell (2), Crawford pen, MacDougall, Rathore

V Tullibody 1-3 Rathore

V Redbrae 3-1 Tuohy, McLean, Rathore

V Tullibody 3-0 Hughes, Wilson, Tuohy

V Zetland 3-1 McLachlan, Tuohy, OG

V Caldercruix 0-3

V Slammanan 4-2 Crawford (2), Lynch, OG

Crawford 16, Tuohy 10, McLachlan 9, Rathore 8, MacDougall 7, Hughes 6, Quinn 5, McCallum 4, Lynch 4, Own Goals 4, Wells 3, Smith 3, Sutcliffe 2, Dalrymple 2, Cooper 2, Mitchell 2, Bailey 2, Betreen 1, Mahoney 1, Fergusson 1, Gemmell 1, Glass 1, McCall 1, MacDonald 1, Barker 1, Wilson, 1, McLean 1, Boyle 1

Goals Scored 100. Goals Conceded 78

Robert Gordon 2's 1 Stirling 1

Stirling managed to take a draw back from Aberdeen which has always been a difficult place to go, having never won in the Granite City under Tommy Craig’s tutelage. With exams causing this game to be postponed in December, Stirling had to wait to try and avenge their disappointing 3-0 defeat to Edinburgh 4’s. Knocking the students down a peg after a 100% start to league business, it reminded the table toppers that they were not promoted already and still have to earn their place in the league above.

Stirling welcomed Will Barker, Stevie Clark and Kevin Hughes into the starting 11 as they looked to take a result which would keep them firmly in the 4A driving seat. The performance on display deserved more than just a point and had it not been for some abject refereeing, the scoreline could have been a whole lot different.

Instead of the usual picture selection,
I thought we could enjoy Connor's London
snaps he felt Facebook would enjoy.

Playing into a strong wind in the first half, Stirling were controlling the game with Barker and Michael Tuohy in the centre of the park always available and switching flanks time and again. Both fullbacks, Ryan McCue and Graeme Crawford, were seeing a lot of the ball but couldn’t quite find the correct ball to trouble the Aberdeen defence; Crawford particularly guilty of trying the difficult pass when the better option was to find feet.

Stirling created two quick chances to take the lead midway through the first period. After neat built build up play down the right, Clark’s pass got Crawford to the by-line but his cross was blocked by the covering defender. Minutes later a pinpoint through ball released Hughes in behind but the number 9 was ruled offside despite being in his own half and behind a Robert Gordon defender.

This was a sign of thing to come from a referee who seems to aspire to the Willie Collum style of refereeing, i.e. extremely biased. Stirling continued to battle on however with RGU failing to threaten the centre half pairing of Tom Flanagan and Stevie Boyle. The skipper playing in one of his many positions was rarely troubled as he and his Mancunian colleague steadied the ship.

In fact with such a strong wind Stirling did well to limit the home side to one long range effort which Kieran McCulloch got down smartly to block and gather at the second attempt. The half time whistle arrived with only a chance for Crawford any other point of note in the first period. Tuohy’s whipped free-kick arrived at Crawford on the stretch and the goalkeeper managed to strike the ball off the fullback and the ball rebounded over the bar from 3 yards.

Stirling came out from the break content at their endeavour in the first half and looked to sustain the pressure of the first half and improve their quality in the final third. With their two central midfielders dominating, the away team were retaining the ball superbly and were forcing their opponents to sit deep in their own half for the majority of the game; this further by a formation change to 4-4-1-1 by the home team.

Love ma babes.

They were to get their reward for their efforts around the sixty minute mark. Hughes and strike partner Mikey MacDougall were combining well and this reaped benefits with the opening goal. Hughes’ flick on from a long goal kick released MacDougall and he remained calm to toe poke past the on-rushing goalkeeper. Having struggled for goals, MacDougall’s work ethic is finally being rewarded in the goal scoring stakes.

This sparked the beginning of a downward turn in the away side’s fortune however. Hughes received the ball into feet and adeptly knocked the ball past his marker inside the box. His legs were crudely taken away but the referee saw fit to play on but Hughes was not booked; you can draw your own conclusions from the lack of a card being dished out.

Minutes later Barker was fouled in the centre of the field but the man in the middle played on and RGU gained a free kick of their own. The long ball forward held up in the wind and the ball was controlled by the home sides forward. After a miscued shot from the left the ball was scrambled home from 6 yards to bring the sides level.

<3

Stirling were trying their best to fight the injustice they were feeling as even the home sides players were find the decisions laughable. Corner, free-kick and throw-ins were continually awarded against the travelling side, decisions which weren’t even debatable.

However Stirling remained the most potent side and had their chances to sneak a result from right under the referee’s nose. Barker had a long range strike which flew a yard wide of the top corner with the goalkeeper looking on nervously.

Stirling’s top scorer last season nearly grabbed the winner after bursting from midfield to arrive in the area. His touch and shot across the keeper was blocked superbly with the keeper’s trailing hand as it looked like being one of those days.

The away side had one final chance to get the extra two points they deserved. Crawford found Hughes inside the right-hand side of the area to which the striker took one touch away from his defender and struck early with his left foot. The ball was curling into the bottom corner but the goalkeeper managed to tip the ball round the post in what was a terrific save by the Robert Gordon number 1.

Stirling can be satisfied with the performance they put in after more than a month without any training or games. The point keeps them top of the league and promotion in their own hands, which they have got to capitalise on. Circumstances prevented all three points going Stirling’s way but a draw isn’t the worst result to take away from Aberdeenshire.

Stirling: McCulloch, Crawford, Flanagan, Boyle, McCue, Clark, Barker, Tuohy (Bailey), Quinn, MacDougall, Hughes Subs: Wells, Gillespie

Stirling 4 Milton 1

After a less than impressive start to life in Division 1, Stirling seem to be finding their feet in the Saturday league once again with an important win against Milton. Playing on the Astroturf could have proved difficult but Stirling took advantage to play some flowing football that in the end deserved the win.

Last season's skipper returned

Stirling came up against tough opposition in Milton, a team who were sitting second in the table before the match. Stirling were caused problems by a side that did not resemble a typical district league side i.e. they tried to play some football without resorting to being over physical.

Stirling welcomed back into the side Ross Chapman, Jonathan Cooper and skipper Stevie Boyle and their influence relaxed a side who had been shaky at times on a Saturday.

The first half was a frenetic affair with both teams having chances and playing some eye-catching football. Playing against an unfamiliar, narrow formation employed by their opponents, Stirling coped well and moved the ball from side to side which unnerved their opponents. This was prove by two substitutions in the first half hour along with a change of formation.

Ryan Quinn was particularly involved early on and made a couple of inviting runs which couldn't quite be converted into chances. However he was to get his reward with a stunning strike to give the students the lead. An incisive ball from Owen Smith, who performed admirably in an alien left back position, reached Quinn 25 yards out. A superb curling effort got up and over the keeper into the far corner to unleash the lizard’s tongue for the second time this season.

Don't know what this picture is, but
unlucky not to keep a clean sheet

Stirling were to face some pressure on the own goal though throughout the first half. From two corners in near succession, Milton hit the inside of the post and the top of the bar which was the piece of luck Stirling had been missing in recent Saturday games this season.

Stirling had another let off as a superb curling shot left Chapman beaten but the ball struck the post and came back out. The waiting Milton striker tapped the ball home, but a tremendous decision by the referee ruled the number ten offside and Stirling were off the hook once again.

They could have made it two before had Graeme Crawford been more clinical. A short corner gave Smith the ball and his whipped cross found Crawford four yards out. However his header cracked the bar and rebounded back out, a chance which left Crawford injured after being clattered by the defender. Half-time arrived with the game still hanging in the balance.

Awww

Stirling began the second half in vibrant fashion, showing renewed vigour as Cooper and Ryan Mahoney began to dominate the two strikers; allowing Stirling to build from the back. They were to double their advantage with fresher Michael Tuohy getting his third goal of the season. Crawford found Tuohy in the centre of the park and, after losing then regaining possession, played a delightful reverse ball in behind the defence to Quinn. The winger drove into the box and cut the ball back to the supporting Tuohy, who swept home in a superb move which deserved its outcome.

Almost immediately however Stirling lost their two goal cushion. Failing to clear a long throw allowed a strike at goal and the unfortunate Tuohy’s block went past the helpless Chapman to give the Milton players hope. Stirling didn't collapse though and pushed forward again towards a defence that was uncomfortable with the pressure applied by ever-willing strike force of Mikey MacDougall and Matty McLachlan.

A third goal arrived from Crawford to settle nerves again when they could have folded. A superb whipped ball to the front post by Smith was met by Crawford and the goalkeeper couldn't keep it out despite getting a strong hand to it.

With confidence back through the side, Stirling managed to get a fourth ten minutes later. Great industry in the middle of the park by Jamie McLean, continuing his good form, led to Quinn being slipped through. Taking the ball on the bounce he lifted it over the keeper as Stirling threatened to run away with the game.

Chapman still had to be alert in goal and he pulled off two smart stops as Milton reminded the students they weren’t out of the game yet. The moment of the match arrived with the two centre half’s and goalkeeper indulging in some impromptu showboating.

Good brace for the lizard

A long ball was going over Cooper’s head but was cut out with a back heel on the stretch which found Mahoney. Two keepy-ups later Chapman was on the ball and after a cheeky touch and knee, he shelled the ball out of the park with Stirling in buoyant mood.

Stirling sat back content with their three goal cushion but invited pressure which could have gone against them. They managed to get their two banks of four sorted and had a couple of half chances before the end of the game, most noticeably a strike from Boyle which was spilled by the goalkeeper.

Stirling came through this tough test which will stand them in good stead for up-coming games. Glasgow University 2^nd’s away is the task facing the team on Wednesday, a game which could put the opposition out of sight in the promotion race. A result like this can only be beneficial for the confidence of the side.

John Ingles/Ref’s Man of the Match: Graeme Crawford

Stirling: Chapman, Crawford, Cooper, Mahoney, Smith, McLean, Boyle, Tuohy (MacDonald), Quinn, McLachlan (McCall), MacDougall Subs: Wells, Gillespie

Stirling 2 Aberdeen 2’s 0

After a disappointing defeat on Saturday, Stirling had the chance to right those wrongs against Aberdeen University’s 2^nd team. Having taken 6 points from 6, this win put them back top of the league and in superb position to gain the promotion which has eluded them for the last few years.

Stirling were comfortable throughout this game against a team which were significantly weaker than the standard they have been used to in league 4A. The away side failed to create a significant threat at any point throughout the game and Stirling could, and should have scored far more than the just two.

Unfortunate just to score 1

The home side dominated from the off and kept the ball successfully while trying to suss out the opposition. Stirling’s strike force of John McCallum and Michael MacDougall formed a great partnership and were providing great movement up front.

McCallum was given Stirling’s first chance of the game after MacDougall whipped an inviting cross in from the left. With the centre half misjudging the flight of the ball, McCallum had a free header which he could only direct wide of the far post. He had the chance to open the scoring not long after, when released through on goal, but a slightly heavy touch allowed the keeper to smother.

Stirling were maintaining their pressure well due to unyielding defence, Connor Wells in particular dominating the aerial battle with Aberdeen’s front two. They were to be rewarded when McCallum managed to get on the score sheet. A long ball from well was flicked on brilliantly by MacDougall and left his strike partner one v one with the keeper. Knocking it past the onrushing number 1, McCallum slotted home to give a deserved lead to the home side.

Stirling continued to dominate with returning keeper Ross Harkness left with very little to do throughout the match. The 45 minutes was reached with Aberdeen under constant pressure and chasing shadows against a much superior side.

Not camp at all...

Stirling came out to a shaky start in the second half as they gave possession away cheaply. However a stubborn defence repelled any threat Aberdeen brought their way, and they began to settle once again after ten minutes. The central midfield pairing of Michael Tuohy and Owen smith were always on the lookout for the ball and were feeding the strike force superbly. On another day the Aberdeenshire side could have been going home on the back of a hammering; with Ryan Quinn and Jamie McLean on either flank providing a constant threat with their direct running.

The Aberdeen number 14 was not endearing himself to the home side or his teammates in fact, with repeated outburst against anyone within earshot. He was lucky to stay on the park after trying to catch Ryan McCue late and, when unsuccessful, aiming an elbow in Quinn’s direction. Both were booked in the aftermath of the elbow, as was full-back Graeme Crawford for a retaliatory kick in less than athletic ‘player’s direction.

It's only fair a poor photo of me goes up too

Stirling couldn't quite find the finish to substantiate the scoreline and it wasn't until the final five minutes they added some gloss to the scoreline. Substitute Ryan Lynch found the on-coming Crawford in the centre of the park and he continued his run. His on target shot clipped the back of the defender and looped over the unfortunate keeper.

A comfortable win for the Stirling side which could have looked a lot more secure had they finished their chances but it keeps the 100% record in the Wednesday league going and puts them in pole position for the step up league 3A at the end of the season.

Man of the Match: Michael Tuohy

Stirling: Harkness, Crawford, Wells, Gillespie, McCue, McLean (Lynch), Smith, Tuohy, Quinn (MacDonald), MacDougall (Gemmell), McCallum Subs: McCulloch, Reid

P.s. It’s definitely my goal!

Musselburgh 0 Stirling 4

Depleted squad move into the next round

Stirling moved into the next round of the East of Scotland cup with a comfortable win by the seaside. Playing a team that had given Stirling’s second team a tough game two weeks previous, Stirling were braced for a defensive performance against a so-called ‘superior’ team. However Stirling showed their class to run out comfortable winners even though they had only 11 players available and Coach Tommy Craig being forced to 

make an appearance in the final 15 minutes.

On a blustery afternoon Stirling, once again, arrived with little time for a warm up but showed no signs of a slow start as they held possession well early on. The first chance came from a quick gamble by Matty McLachlan to leave him through on the keeper. Fortunately for the home defence the striker snatched his shot across goal.

Stirling continued the pressure with their opponent’s content to fire long balls towards the commanding centre half pairing of the chirpy Ryan Mahoney and Fraser Gillespie. The duo dealt easily with the threat, Mahoney even throwing some tricks in against the attacking players. Right back Graeme Crawford almost set up a goal but the ball was blocked when cut back from the by-line.

What the...

They were rewarded for their dominance with the opening goal as Connor Wells doubled his tally for the season. Enterprising play by Owen Smith to keep the ball in allowed Ryan McCue to get to the by-line. Showing no signs of last week’s knockout punch, the curly haired full-back found Wells unmarked and he powered the header past the ‘keeper.

The remainder of the half was scrappy as Stirling’s tempo began to drop and they were giving away easy possession to their opponents. Musselburgh couldn’t make anything of this drop in form though, threatening only through their striker ‘Chico’ but Stirling defended well against the greedy forward. McLachlan and Smith had a couple of half chances but were unable to take them; a sign of things to come for McLachlan.

Stirling came out for the second half confident and, after a slight spell of Musselburgh possession which still failed to test Fraser Meechan with a shot at goal, Stirling doubled their lead and ended the game as a contest.

'Model'

Smith managed to get his first two goals for the club which crushed the home side’s hope of a comeback. Picking the ball up down the left, Smith got past his defender, who had just came on, in the corner before jinking inside past another defender. His shot had too much power for the goalkeeper and he could only palm into the net.

He took the score to three only a couple of minutes later as a ball in from fresher Richard MacDonald down the right was cleared by the unfortunate fullback straight to Smith at the edge of the area and he drilled a sweet strike into the bottom corner to end the Musselburgh challenge.

Stirling were sitting back and with the home side running out of ideas, they took their foot off the pedal and began to lose sloppy possession. They did manage to add to their lead however as McLachlan got on the score sheet. MacDonald played a neat ball in behind the defender and McLaughlin rifled a shot past the stationary keeper although this was not the main moment of his match.

This arrived with twenty minutes left as miss of the season grabbed hold of an early contender. Superb play from Jamie MacLean through the middle, which was a feature of the game, beating two men neatly and getting to the by-line set up the chance. His dinked cross left McLachlan two yards out and he managed to blaze over on the bounce ruining his good performance previously.

On the pull as usual

He conveniently suffered a hamstring injury soon after, which brought about a sight no football fan wants to see. The sight of Craig getting ready to come on at the sideline strikes fear into his own teammates and Stirling immediately when defensive as a four goal comeback seemed a distinct possibility.

In shocking scenes Craig nearly scored, which may have led to Mikey MacDougall going AWOL on a permanent basis. A cut back from Smith after over-running the chance for his hat-trick left the ball 6 yards out. A good connection gave it a chance but the keeper’s legs kept the ball from being burst and all football games being cancelled until further notice.

The game fizzled out to a conclusion and leaves Stirling with a trip to Premier Division league leaders Bluebell in late November. Stirling will take heart from a good win with a depleted squad and bring this into Wednesdays game at home to Heriot Watt 3’s; a cup game they have to win.

Referee’s, and most important, MoM; Graeme Crawford (Although I have no idea why)

Combined decision MoM: Owen Smith

Stirling: Meechan, Crawford, Gillespie, Mahoney, McCue, MacDonald, Wells, MacLean, Lynch, Smith, McLachlan (Craig)

Camelon Albion 0 Stirling 4

Stirling bounce back to kick start their league campaign

Stirling returned to winning ways, giving a much-needed boost to the squad after 3 straight defeats. The university side put on a brave display in the face of some underhand tactics by their opponents.

Return of a icon.

Stirling made a few changes to the previous week with Ross Chapman, Owen Smith and Mikey MacDougall all returning to starting berths. There was also a return for SUFC icon Chris Betreen who threw on the number 9 shirt one more time.

With the pitch provided by the home side looking more suited to a rugby game, Stirling had to be careful from the off to maintain possession as to not allow any mistakes on the tricky surface.

There were no signs of this though as Stirling pressed early on. Ryan Quinn was heavily involved as he escaped from under the girlfriend's thumb to drive through the heart of Camelon’s midfield time and again. Unfortunately the final ball couldn't quite beat a stubborn Camelon back five.

Undeterred by the student’s fine start, Camelon pinned their opponents back with a barrage of throw-ins and corners which were defended well by the men in white. Chapman pulled off a fine save to keep the scores level, diving across to his left to parry a shot from 18 yards.

Freshers has began his SUFC career well

This sparked Stirling into life and they took the lead with fresher Michael Tuohy getting his second of the season. After a driving run from Smith the ball made its way to Betreen. Unselfishly he spurned the shot a goal to leave Tuohy with an empty net to trickle the ball into. It’s been an impressive start to the fresher’s time in the 3^rd team and, with games, this will surely continue.

The remainder of the half was an even affair with Stirling perhaps on top through their better use of the ball. Betreen was unfortunate not to score as the Camelon number one made a couple of good stops. At the very end of the half he could have doubled the lead but the shot was skewed wide after intricate play down the 

right by MacDougall and Graeme Crawford.

The second half was more comfortable occasion for the away team as they doubled their lead early on in the second half. A whipped corner at the front post arrived at Ryan Mahoney’s feet in the box. He fired towards goal through a crowd of bodies and the dubious goals committee has ruled, inexplicably, in his favour as he broke his duck for the season.

Camelon were threatening through their slightly rotund, but pacey, striker and he slipped his strike-partner thorough on goal to give a glimmer of hope to the home side after going two goals down. The ball beat Chapman but went wide of the far post giving Stirling a major let-off. The shaky moments continued as a cross to the front post was misjudged by an off balance Mahoney, and the resultant header was clawed away by a surprised Chapman.

The nature of the game changed on the referee’s decision in the build-up to Stirling’s third goal. Smith caught the ball just before the touchline and the resultant play led to Betreen being in behind the Camelon defence. Typically he remained calm and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to keep his remarkable scoring record for the third team going.

Camelon lost their heads at this point and began to take it out on anyone who wasn't a member of the home side, the referee receiving he majority of the abuse. Every 50/50 became a chance to try and hurt a Stirling player as they couldn't accept their oppositions passing play.

Floored

Ryan McCue was to feel the brunt of the opponent’s frustration as he was struck off the ball in a cowardly act, seen by the home sideline but not punished by removing the player from the park. Returning to the ages of violence on the park is a poor reflection on the state of the game at this level and changes should be made to allow football to be the focus of everyone’s attention.

Stirling added a fourth near the end with the scrappiest goal of the season so far. A corner was returned into the area and, after getting stuck under substitute McLachlan’s feet, was scooped towards goal by Betreen and turned home by Crawford to get to seven for the season.

The game was played out with arguments between the Camelon side and the referee dominating proceedings and Stirling saw the game out to take a much needed three points. The clean sheet was a bonus for a side who have conceded too many goals recently and this will stand them in good stead for next week’s cup tie.

Stirling: Chapman, Crawford, Gillespie, Mahoney, McCue, Lynch (Rathore), Smith, Tuohy (Wells), Quinn, MacDougall (McLachlan), Betreen