Students progress from bad-tempered affair
A rotated Stirling side came out on top after a match in which North Berwick were lucky to survive with 11 men intact. A positive attacking performance proved good enough to win the game, while another clean sheet breeds yet more confidence through the ranks.
A much-changed side included starts for Conner Wells, Cameron Mitchell, Graeme McCormack, Keith Glendinning and Joe Boakye. Continuity wasn't a problem however as the side gelled well and played some attractive football on occasion.
Boakye playing in an advanced role had an early chance to give Stirling the lead. After a great run Boakye found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, unfortunately he couldn’t find the finish to match the build up, and the ball slid wide. Mitchell was pulling the strings in the middle of the park, with the Berwick side growing increasingly frustrated at his quick feet and unnerving first-touch. Support for Mitchell was being provided superbly down the flanks by Lynch and Brodie, who were not giving their opponents any chance to settle.
Stirling took a deserved lead through ex-Leyton Orient man Boakye with a composed finish. Slipped in superbly, he corrected from his earlier chance to leave the goalkeeper with no chance.
Berwick were committing foul after foul, while getting on the referee’s back at every opportunity while the students did superbly well to concentrate on the football. Their captain was focussed more on arguing with the official rather than the showing up he was receiving in the centre of the park. Connor Wells making his first start for the 3rd team gave a solid performance, doing the simple things well and giving Mitchell the freedom to go forward.
Stirling took a similar attitude into the second half and gained success all over the park. Betreen and Boakye were connecting well using pace and strength against a suspect backline, but could not find a second goal. Connor Wells passed up a glorious chance to double lead but, like a dog with a bone, he was too eager to get the shot away, and fired over when composure was needed.
The disgusting behaviour of the away side boiled over with 15 minutes left. After a strong challenge Wells was left prone on the ground, however Berwick played on. While the ball was up the other end, the number 2 inexplicably stamped on the injured player causing outrage on the Stirling sideline. With the rested Will Barker having to be physically restrained on the touchline, the Berwick player backed down after a kind word from Mitchell. Crawford replaced the injured Wells, and McLean took over from Betreen.
Stirling escaped with the win after some slack play almost gave the away side an undeserved equaliser. A long ball wasn't dealt with and the ball broke, just inside the box, to an unmarked Berwick player. Striking the ball low to Chapman’s right, the eccentric keeper sprung to block the ball away for a corner and prove his worth once again. With Harkness available for the next Saturday game, Coach Craig will be left with a selection headache which will be pleasing at this stage of the season.
Quinn, on his 20th birthday, came on for the final few minutes replacing the impressive Lynch who once again showed that he has the skills to cement a place in the side. Stirling will be pleased that a rotated side managed to secure progression into the next round with a polished performance.
Stirling: Chapman, Flanagan, Mahoney, McCormack, Glendinning, Lynch, Mitchell, Wells, Brodie, Boakye, Betreen Subs: Craig, McLean, Crawford, Quinn,
Man of the Match: Grae...Ryan Lynch
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