Stirling 3 Bo’ness 2

Cup run continues after determined win

Stirling battled their way through to the next round of the East of Scotland cup after struggling to overcome a stubborn Bo’ness side. Playing in the equivalent of 2 divisions above Stirling, it was a stern test for the students who were looking to continue their fine form over the season.

On a day which showed warm weather football is not far around the corner, Stirling began well as both teams tried to play an expansive, passing game in stark contrast to the normal long ball tactics faced on a Saturday.



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Having relied on a few players for the majority of their goals this season it was encouraging to see all three goal scorers getting their first goals in Stirling green. Ryan Quinn was the first to achieve this taking advantage of some suspect goalkeeping. Chasing down a ball in behind, the opposing keeper inexplicably tried to clear rather than pick it up and the ball struck Quinn. Maintaining composure he zipped the ball into open goal to put Stirling ahead.

With both teams not in full flow the first half went by without much further incident. Ross Chapman was called into action on occasion but dealt with any effort Bo’ness could muster. The Stirling defence was tested by the short, sharp passing their opposition were playing but the back 5 combined well to snuff any chances out at the last and went into the break with a lead.

Stirling began the second half in similar fashion with the strikers Mikey MacDougall and Jason Bolam linking up tremendously well.  It was from this link up that Stirling got the second goal their play deserved. In trademark style MacDougall dropped deep and played a delightful no look pass into Bolam’s path. After a great first touch he slid the ball past the keeper to put Stirling firmly in control.



Man of the Match



Stirling were unable to protect this lead however as they let Bo’ness back into the game with some slack defending. Chapman was left with no chance as the opposition striker took his chance calmly. The lead was almost completely wiped out a minute later as a shaken defence allowed the Bo’ness striker to cut inside and he curled the ball past Chapman onto the crossbar.

Stirling managed to compose themselves and retained their cushion with Ryan Lynch getting off the mark. Superb play down the right ended with MacDougall reaching the by-line and playing a terrific dinked cross to the back post for Lynch to nod home.

Having proved an able deputy to Ross Harkness, Chapman was once again in fine form as Bo’ness pushed for a way back into the game. With Stirling naively pushing too many players forward, they were almost caught out with a long ball counter attack. As the ball broke through leaving a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, Chapman managed to time a sliding tackle to perfection and the chance was saved.

Bo’ness gave the last few minutes meaning with a second goal and cause Stirling nerves to be shaken towards the end. A debateable free kick was whipped into the back post and after it was headed back across, the ball was tapped home to give hope to the visiting side. Stirling managed to see the game out with relative ease as the students maintained their impressive results across the season.

Stirling have made it through to the next round of the East of Scotland cup and have every chance of progressing further if the determination, commitment and goal scoring prowess continues. An away trip to Robert Gordon Uni is next up for the Stirling side and they will be looking to build on this and the previous Wednesday’s result.

Stirling: Chapman, Crawford, Flanagan, Mahoney, Brodie, McLean, Bews, McCall, Quinn, Bolam, MacDougall Subs: Cooper, Barker, Betreen, Wells

Man of the Match: Mikey MacDougall