Glasgow 2nds 4 Stirling Uni 1
Stirling arrived at the Garscube complex with high hopes of beginning the new BUCS season with a win reminiscent of the previous season. Returning to the scene of the opening day 7-1 demolition the previous year, Stirling had expectations of performing to similar standards this time around.
The match started with both teams trying to impose themselves on the game. With little to choose between the two sides, chances were restricted to long shots from either side. A long ball forward was controlled brilliantly by Barker, and his attempted chip from the edge of the area was unfortunate to go over. Chances were few and far between in a scrappy first half with Boakye and Lynch impressing for the away side. However it was Glasgow who went into half-time in the lead. A free-kick was awarded on the edge of the area after the Glasgow forward got to the ball just before the Stirling skipper Cooper. While the wall was being set up the free-kick was quickly taken and after rebounding off the post, hit the unfortunate Chapman and crossed the line.
Fuelled by a sense of injustice, Stirling came out quickly and tried to take the game to Glasgow. While keeping the ball well throughout the midfield, Stirling’s play was breaking down in the final third. Glasgow took advantage of this by playing the ball side to side across their backline forcing Betreen to work hard to press the ball. Stirling found themselves two behind after a spectacular strike from the Glasgow central midfielder. The ball broke to the edge of the area and with his weaker foot; the ball was struck into the postage stamp past the helpless Chapman. While many teams would have folded Stirling showed desire and commitment to stage a comeback. A change in formation from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2, led to an increase in chances for the battling Stirling side, with Ryan Quinn coming on for Boakye to give a more attacking intent to the side. Change was almost immediate with fellow sub Mikey MacDougall adding a spark that was missing up front for most of the game.
MacDougall picked up the ball and drove at the heart of the box, taking two defenders with him. Retaining his composure superbly, he cut inside to set up Betreen for his second of the season and give Stirling a glimmer of hope to cling to. Fired up by this, Stirling pushed forward with Cooper joining the attack to make a 3-4-3 formation for the final 10 minutes. Turning out to be an inspired change, Cooper put his considerable presence to good use causing the home side trouble. Clark and Barker were driving from midfield to good effect and causing trouble for the central midfield three they were up against. The moment of the game arrived with around seven minutes to go however. A long ball was cleared by Crawford which missed the Glasgow defence and left Cooper one on one with the goalkeeper. The ball was squared to the oncoming Ryan Quinn who looked set to knock the ball home when inexplicably the referee called for offside. While having no linesman does make it difficult for referees, it was not a hard decision to make and at a crucial time of the game caused outrage in the Stirling ranks.
Stirling continued to push for the equaliser but Glasgow still looked dangerous on the counter with man of the match Chapman making a number of crucial saves. However the game was killed off with the arrival of Glasgow’s third goal. Another great save for Chapman rebounded to the 6 yard box which bounced off Crawford’s knee, and although the first shot was blocked the ball ricocheted across to a Glasgow player to knock it home and essentially kill off the game. With the wind taken out their sails the final few minutes were end to end with the impressive Curtiss Wilson creating a couple of late chances. However Glasgow had the final say as a quick throw-in was rifled into the top corner across the unlucky Chapman again.
Having put so much effort into the game Stirling will be disappointed not to have taken something from the game. Had the contentious ‘offside’ goal been awarded things may have been different but Stirling can build on their performance and have nothing to fear from any of their opponents in the forthcoming league campaign.
Stirling: Chapman, Crawford, Cooper, Mahoney, Wilson, Lynch, Barker, Boakye (Quinn), Clark, Bailey (MacDougall), Betreen Subs: Maclean
M.O.M- Ross Chapman
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