Stirling 0 Newhall Leith Vic’s 1

Cup exit after Stirling draw a blank

Stirling failed to score for only the second time this season and it was to cost them place in the last 16. Having played, and defeated, two of the top teams from this league, Stirling were under no illusions over the task in hand facing a side 2^nd top of an equivalent 2 divisions above. However they put in a strong, disciplined performance and were perhaps unlucky to lose out.

Stirling went into the game without their coach, captain and vice-captain which left Ryan Mahoney to lead the way. Tom Flanagan came into central defence and Euan McCall took over central midfield duties and stuck to their task admirably.



Betreen unusually off target



Stirling began in similar fashion to Wednesday’s poor result as they gave too much time and space to the Newhall side who used this to spray cross-field balls causing trouble for James Brodie and Graeme Crawford at either fullback. However Stirling were to go against the run of play to create the best chance of the half. After some incisive build-up play Chris Betreen was released down the right one-on-one with the goalkeeper. With the bookies refusing to take any more mortgages on Betreen scoring, he left many homeless by slotting in to the side netting as Newhall received a massive let off.

The game was springing from end to end as Newhall’s direct style was causing problems to the Stirling defence on the counter. However both teams were cancelling each other out and Newhall were restricted to long shots which Chapman dealt with consummately. Michael MacDougall was dropping deep to collect but Stirling were lacking an attacking intent which meant, apart from the early scare, the Newhall keeper could have joined the six coaches on a vocal visiting sideline.

Half-time arrived with only a free header at the front post troubling Stirling untowardly and Stirling took words of encouragement into the second half which they began brightly.

Straight from the restart they began to keep the ball to a standard that was lacking in the first half. Crawford had a great deal of the ball in the fullback area as Stevie Boyle and McCall were able to find space in a previously congested midfield. Stirling were still unable to test the opposition with anything more than a long range Boyle strike after some neat play down the right by Jamie McLean and Crawford.



Gaffer for the day lead from the front



Mahoney and Flanagan were combining well to deal with a sprightly forward line as well as the midfield runners who were in support. Ross Chapman remained relatively untroubled though until the hour mark as Newhall’s centre half bulleted a header at the back post which Chapman was forced to tip over. Set-pieces remained the main source of threat for either side as for all the intricate build up, both side were foiled at the last time and again.

MacDougall almost got off the mark for the season after a scuffed free kick from Boyle found his feet 12 yards out. His touch and shot looped up off a Newhall defender but was cleared after it found the head of their man mountain centre half. Connor Wells replaced an off colour McLean as Stirling looked to gain what would be a vital goal. Extra loomed as the final ten minutes ticked down but Stirling were unable to hold out and it was Newhall who finally got the breakthrough.

After a ball was whipped in from the right the ball was blocked between Flanagan and the opposition striker. With the away side’s right winger breaking free of his man the ball broke kindly into his path and he smashed home to much relief from the Newhall sideline.

Stirling went for broke in the final few minutes bringing on Graeme McCormack for McCall as an aerial threat up front and had one final chance with a free kick which even Chapman came forward for. Unfortunately the goalkeeper claimed the cross leaving Chapman to scamper back as Newhall decided to keep the ball in the corner rather than attempt a Xabi Alonso and have a shot. The final whistle sounded to the delighted and relief of a Newhall side who had a reprieve on a day when the result could have went either way.

Overall Stirling were unable to find an attacking threat to trouble the Newhall side and this is a key area which could affect the rest of the season. While they remain defensively sound, it is the other end of the park that may need some improvement if the Division 2 title is to be claimed.

Stirling: Chapman, Crawford, Flanagan, Mahoney, Brodie, McLean (Wells), Boyle, McCall (McCormack), Quinn, MacDougall, Betreen               Subs: Henderson

Man of the Match: Ryan Mahoney