After a long summer break the 3rd team returned to competitive action with a home game against Camelon Albion. With squads still to be sorted, a mixture of players were available for selection, meaning tough decisions had to be made by manager Tommy Craig.
With only a few training sessions and no pre season games it was understandable that the team got off to a sluggish start. The team were sloppy in possesion, giving the ball away needlessly in key areas. This resulted in the concession of an early goal which could have been avoided. After the ball was lost in the final third, a quick counter from the opposition left the backline exposed. Right-back Graeme Crawford was caught attempting to cover and, while the player was offside, his poor positioning made it difficult for the referee to make the call. The on-rushing striker managed to lift the ball first time over new goalkeeper Ross Harkness who was was left helpless.
Stirling rallied though from this early setback and began playing some lovely football. Will Barker and John Charles, in possibly their final games for the 3rd team, were spraying the ball nicely as Camelon were stretched in the wide areas. After keeping the ball on the left side the ball was switched and after a driving run and shot by Crawford, Euan McCall was first to the goalkeepers fumble to get off the mark for the new season.
This gave Stirling renewed impetus and the began to impose themselves on the game. With Camelon unable to cope with the width provided by Steven Clark and James Brodie Stirling began to create chances. A lot of success was had down the wide areas causing unrest in the Camelon ranks. However they could not carve out a clear-cut chance in order to take the lead and the game was level at half-time.
Moving into the second half Stirling continued with their unfortunate habit of starting slowly at the restart. With the relentless long balls sprayed forward by the Camelon backline, Stirling were lucky to have two rocks at the heart of the defence in the form of new captain Jono Cooper and Ryan Mahoney. With virtually every long ball repelled, Stirling regained confidence and began to hold possesion again. This however took a blow as Camelon managed to go back into the lead. A good run down the Stirling left resulted in a dangerous cross into the centre. Facing his own goal Crawford could only block it away and from the resulting goalmouth scramble, the Camelon forward managed to head home at the second attempt.
Stirling however were undeterred and showed character to continue with their footballing attitude. While keeping the ball well, they could not find that cutting edge to take advantage of their superior techical ability. Euan Mcall was withdrawn and Matty McLaughlin was introduced. This change had an immediate effect as a lovely through ball from the impressive Barker was taken on by McLaughlin and with his second touch the ball was slotted into the top left-hand corner across the goalkeeper.
This gave Stirling a massive lift and their possesion football was rewarded with a third goal soon after as the ball was sprayed into the box, missing out Barker and arriving at the feet of Brodie. The ball was thundered first time with his weaker left foot in off the underside of the bar to complete a tremendous comeback and showed the character that had been shown throughout the previous season.
Stirling were keeping the ball well now and unfortunate Betreen was replaced by Jamie McLean in order to shore things up in midfield. This had the desired effect as the Camelon threat was nullified through the middle and the long balls were aimed at the fullbacks instead. Second team captain Gordy Thom showed his return to form by dealing with everything thrown at him in the final 20 minutes, as did the full team.
The moment of the game however arrived at the hands of Barker. A ball clipped inside sat up nicely which was audaciously taken on the volley from 30 yards. With virtually a perfect connection the ball the ball skipped up off the surface and past the goalkeeper to the delight and surprise of everyone involved. While there was claims that the ball should have been laid sideways to Crawford in space, there can be no complaints with the final outcome and an early contender for goal of the season was on display.
Stirling were put under pressure after going 4-2 up but the combination of determination and a in-form goalkeeper denied Camelon a way back into the game. Chris Sellars replaced the tiring Brodie and contributed in frustrating his opponents while keeping the ball well. Stirling saw out the remaining time on the clock in impressive fashion with triangles being played all over the pitch and denying clear-cut chances to be created against them therefore running out deserved winners.
Stirling deserved their win and showed the desire to over come a resilient Camelon side and their loyal support, who took offence to people being in education with various poor attempts at unsettling the Stirling side. The university students did their talking on the pitch and have given themselves the best possible start to the season which they will look to build on for the foreseeable future.
Man of the Match: Ross Harkness
Stirling: Harkness, Crawford, Cooper, Mahoney, Thom, Clark, Charles, Barker, Brodie (Sellars), Betreen (McLean), McCall (McLaughlin) Subs: Chapman, Flanigan
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