Penalty heartbreak undeserved for battling students.
With millions being spent on the ‘biggest fight in British history’, by far a more exciting spectacle was produced in this Scottish Cup tie than the letdown produced in the boxing ring. The lottery of penalties resulted in a loss for the spirited students who could not be beaten over 90 minutes in any of their 5 matches in this year’s competition.
Playing on a considerably better pitch, the standard was of much higher quality than what was served up the previous Saturday. Stirling were slow out the blocks and the early running was made by Balgonie. Fortunately for Stirling they couldn’t take their chances after hitting the post and also forcing a save from Chapman. At times Stirling were panicking and giving the ball away needlessly which gave Balgonie the chance to pen them into their own half.
The Balgonie midfield were linking up well and creating two on ones across the pitch, which Stirling were struggling to contain. The students were holding out well though and kept the long-running clean sheet intact, for then at least. A Stirling attack was as rare as an Audley Harrison punch, but they almost took an undeserved lead through two long-range Barker efforts. Collecting the ball 25 yards out, a swerving hit was pushed onto the post by the keeper. Minutes later, receiving the ball back after a corner, a great strike across the goalkeeper clipped the bar as Stirling began to open up.
Stirling came out for the second half determined to show their true qualities. The central duo of McLean and Barker began to impose themselves on the game, and play some telling passes which caused the Balgonie defence some problems. McCall and MacDougall were playing further forward and more central which allowed the ball to stick better, giving the students the chance to move the defence further up the field.
This allowed the fullbacks to get on the ball to better effect and it was from this Stirling took a lead their second half performance merited. Crawford picked the ball up and cut inside past the Balgonie midfielder and played a quick one-two with MacDougall. A touch then finish put the students ahead and seemingly in control after stamping their authority on the game in the second half.
McLaughlin replaced Quinn with McCall moving to the left to offer fresh legs against a tiring backline. With Balgonie pushing a third man upfront, Cooper and Mahoney had to put a massive shift in to deal with the threat and, as usual, they kept up their high standard. Threatening on the counter, Stirling were unlucky not to add to their lead with Barker, McLaughlin and MacDougall all having half chances that couldn’t quite cross the line.
The students couldn’t hold out to the end though as a quick counter of their own by Balgonie led to an equaliser. The eye-catching central midfielder played a ball in between Mahoney and Brodie, just evading both, and left Chapman helpless as the ball was smashed into the back of the net. The final 10 minutes didn’t have any chances of real note and the match headed to extra time.
A disappointed Stirling side matched the Balgonie outfit throughout the extra 30 minutes as their fitness began to show through. Flanagan replaced Lynch with Crawford moving to right midfield and added an attacking force with fresh legs. They could not battle their way through however and penalties loomed for both.
In an unusual step the starting back 4 and Barker put themselves forward to take. Having scored their first three and Balgonie missing one, Stirling felt confident. However a combination of bad luck and good goalkeeping meant the next three were missed. Chapman having saved one couldn’t prevent the final penalty being converted and the Scottish Cup dream was over for another year.
A spirited second half performance perhaps gave the edge to the Stirling side but overall a draw was probably a fair result. Stirling will now have to focus on other competitions, starting with the Robert Gordon at home on Wednesday.
Stirling: Chapman, Crawford, Cooper, Mahoney, Brodie, Lynch (Flanagan), Barker, McLean, Quinn (McLaughlin), MacDougall, McCall Subs: Pepe, Wells
Man of the Match: Mahoney
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