After such an impressive performance the previous Wednesday against Glasgow 2’s, Stirling wasted their good work as they lost 3-2 in Aberdeen. Missing their coach who was away on international duty, Stirling were forced to take charge themselves and this meant a tough job for Captain Jono Cooper.
Playing on a near perfect Astroturf surface, Stirling could put no blame on the pitch as they started slowly after a 2 and a half hour bus journey. Stirling seemed to be taking a relaxed attitude toward the Aberdeen team and this was pounced upon as RGU pushed forward early. Stirling looked shaky as they failed to keep possession time and again and Ross Chapman was forced to deny the RGU frontman after a deflection had left him with an open goal. Chapman managed to make up the ground to block and give Stirling a let-off which seemed to fire them up.
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Stirling took the lead, perhaps unjustly, after 20 minutes. Ryan Lynch cutting inside from the right played a delicate lofted pass over the left back’s head into Jamie McLean’s path. McLean bravely put his body on the line as the goalkeeper came out and the ball trickled into the goal to put the visitors a goal to the good.
However instead of building on their goal Stirling struggled to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Seemingly more concerned with helping each other’s games rather than their own, Stirling’s concentration was not of its usual high standard and this was evident as RGU equalised ten minutes later.
Stirling came out after half-time with a sense of purpose as they looked to impose themselves on the game. Stirling were gaining some joy with MacDougall dropping deeper and feeding the ball wide to Lynch and McLean. Unfortunately the killer ball couldn’t find Chris Betreen or MacDougall in the penalty area and when it did, they found a goalkeeper in fine form.
For all their positive attacking intent Stirling were to go behind around the hour mark. Failing to deal with the striker dropping deep, the RGU forward was able to feed the ball into the right winger’s path. With Curtis Wilson unable to make up the ground, the ball was struck across the helpless Chapman into the opposite corner and Stirling’s title hopes were hanging by a thread.
The visiting side tried to push forward to gain an equaliser but they were struggling to beat a commanding centre half and a keeper who despite his stature was keeping Stirling at bay with a string of fine saves. With 20 minutes left Stirling switched to three at the back with Lynch making way for Tom Flanagan, Graeme Crawford going to left midfield and Cooper providing an aerial option up front.
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| The next Rory Delap |
Flanagan caused himself some embarrassment as with almost his first involvement he managed to commit a foul throw with his throw and chase style of set piece. As Stirling pushed forward it was inevitable that RGU would have chances on the counter and they took advantage with their third goal of the day. With Wilson exposed RGU’s left midfielder cut inside and cut across his shot from 20 yards leaving the unfortunate Chapman to pick the ball out of his net once again.
A deflated Stirling continued to create chances and Betreen was denied by a superb piece of athleticism by the RGU number 1, as he got across his goal to tip the ball over. Cooper was causing problems in the air as Stirling tried to mount a comeback. Crawford was to be denied by another tremendous save as the keeper flicked the ball behind, leaving Crawford disappointed and with a nasty head knock. From the resultant corner, a typical Will Barker delivery allowed Cooper to volley home his first goal of the season and give Stirling hope.
Chances galore filled the final ten minutes as MacDougall, McLean and Crawford all had shots blocked by a resilient defence. They were to be presented with one final chance in stoppage time which fell to Captain Cooper. A tremendous delivery from Mclean was landing on the head of Crawford and Mahoney but with the call from Cooper the ball bounce agonisingly wide. The final whistle called time on a poor performance and with no chance of promotion for yet another season.
Stirling had the chance to put themselves into pole position for the title but by not living up to their usual standards, performance and attitude wise, their league chances were gone for another season. Stirling must learn to concentrate more on their own play rather than others if they are to compete for honours on a Saturday, still being in a league and 2 cups, and with the talent, spirit and determination in the squad it is certainly achievable.
Stirling: Chapman, Crawford, Cooper, Mahoney, Wilson, McLean, Boyle (Grieve), Barker, Lynch (Flanagan), MacDougall, Betreen Subs: McCulloch, Wells
Man of the Match: Ross Chapman
p.s. Get a top on Weasley.
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