Stirling 1 Zetland 0

Better late than never for students.

Stirling left it late to extend their 100% record in the Stirling and District league as they overcame a stubborn Zetland side. Coming into a tough spell of 5 games in 11 days, Stirling battled to a victory and two points gained in what could be a very tight league come the end of the season.



Always Prepared

 Ross Harkness returned in the sticks while Jason Bolam took his place up top after being unavailable for the previous few games. Stirling began brightly with Ryan Quinn achieving some success down the left, linking up with Bolam as both teams tried to settle.

The home side were nearly in front after 5 minutes as Ryan Mahoney met a Will Barker delivery at the far post, only to see his header strike the post and come back out. Within minutes another chance beckoned as a searching ball in behind left Jamie McLean clean through. Unfortunately the return of the ‘McLean stumble’ meant his first touch was too heavy and the keeper collected.


Unfortunate

Chris Betreen had a chance on the 25 minute mark as he fought his way past the closing defender and struck a fierce effort across goal; only to see it miss the target and any arriving Stirling players. The English front man came even closer ten minutes later as he rattled a post as Stirling inched closer to a goal. After good build up down the left, Bolam slipped a lovely ball inside to Betreen who seemed to stumble before striking a daisy-cutter which had the keeper beaten, but not the post.

For all their hustle and bustle, Zetland were not creating much against the Stirling backline which repelled any attacks with consummate ease. Stirling, however, where struggling against the weight of numbers in the centre of the park and consequently struggled to mount many attacks of their own. Half-time arrived with Stirling content with their own performance, but not of the referees who seemed to have forgotten that it was a contact sport; at least when it came to Stirling players.

Coming out into the second half, the students upped the tempo and began to create more space in the wide areas. Bolam and Betreen were running the Zetland defence ragged with constant movement although they were unable to threaten the scorers too often. Fullbacks James Brodie and Graeme Crawford, as well as Mahoney and Will Barker, were exerting more of an influence in the second half which pushed Stirling forward and gave an added threat they were missing in the first.




Ryan Lynch and Mikey MacDougall replaced McLean and Quinn on either wing as Stirling looked for a spark to their attacking play. Stirling were being hampered by poor decision after poor decision from a referee who seemed intent on an away win. Stirling were forced to contend against the 12 men as they were penalised for the most in-noxious of fouls time and again.

 




Quiet day



 A succession of set plays gave the home side a chance of snatching a goal but they were unable to take advantage despite the terrific delivery. Stirling were looking comfortable in defence, emphasized by Harkness having little do the entire match and having time to indulge in banter towards the referee such was his passive involvement.



Converted a Barker corner



Just as Zetland seemed to sense an undeserved point, Stirling pinched a winner 5 minutes from time. With yet another corner whipped into the near post, Crawford managed to lose his marker and head across goal. With the referee itching to disallow the goal due to the man on the line, he was denied as the ball bounced over the line then into the roof of the net via the defenders desperation kick.

The final whistle sounded to the frustration of a Zetland side which boiled over and Mahoney was headbutted which led to a red card for the Zetland man. It wasn't quite Zinedine Zidane in the World Cup final but nothing is in the district league. Mahoney did well to restrain himself and it sets up an interesting away trip for the Stiring side later in the season after the Mohammed Ali punch Crawford received last year away to Stirling Thistle.

This was no more than Stirling deserved as the continued their fine start to the Saturday league and moved to the top of the league for the first time this season. With games coming thick and fast the students will look to take their good form into the Tullibody match on Wednesday. A clash between two of the promotion favourites could have a considerable bearing on where the title rests at the end of the season.

Man of the Match: Ryan Mahoney

Stirling: Harkness, Crawford, Cooper, Mahoney, Brodie, McLean (Lynch), Barker, Boyle, Quinn (MacDougall), Betreen, Bolam Subs: Meechan, Flanagan, Wells