Title push furthered by superb win
Stirling moved closer to promotion with a narrow win over title rivals Loganlea. Arriving in an area in the proverbial sticks, the students walked into an intimidating atmosphere which on another day could have went a lot worse for the university side.
James Brodie, Tom Flanagan and Chris Betreen all returned to the side after not starting the previous game at Braehead. Controversy was rife in this game as Loganlea felt aggrieved with the performance of the referee, although even a neutral would see the performance didn’t deserve the abuse he received.
Stirling, boosted by the 1-0 win against rivals Braehead on Monday, began well on a tight pitch which was unusually slick considering the weather of late.
Stirling’s back for were tested by an Andy Carroll/Jesus look-a-like and the most annoying striker ever, but they dealt well with the early threat and began to keep control of the ball for sustained periods.
Stirling almost took the lead when MacDougall broke the offside trap to come onto a through ball against an on-rushing keeper. Slotting the ball to the keeper’s left she saved with his hand and even though he was clearly 5 yards out his area the referee played on.
Ross Harkness was brought into action on the twenty minute mark as a long ball made its way to the Loganlea number nine. Forced wide by the ever-commanding Ryan Mahoney he managed to get a shot away which was easily dealt with as the shot came across his body.
Stirling coped well with the more physical home side but their massive height advantage was evident at set pieces. A succession of long throws and corners caused trouble in the Stirling box and a couple of headers just evaded Stirling’s post as the students lived dangerously.
However they could have went ahead after a searching ball from the defence from fullback Graeme Crawford found Betreen. Caught in two minds, the Englishman put an early cross in towards his strike-partner which was cut out, when the shot himself was probably the better option.
They were to take the lead ten minutes before the break however when a dubious penalty went their way. Betreen got free from the last defender but was repeatedly held back, and although the foul appeared to begin way outside the box, the referee pointed to the spot.
In the absence of regular taker Will Barker, Crawford stepped up. The ball wasn’t struck as cleanly as the number 2 would have hoped and was fortunate to see the keeper get a hand to it but fail to keep it out, to give an 8th goal of the season for the right back.
Loganlea were rattled by the loss of the goal and took the frustration out on each other. Two of the players had to be taken aside and calmed by the referee as an on-field argument almost turned violent.
The whistle for half time sounded with Stirling on top and the home side increasingly aggravated by what they perceived as poor refereeing. Coach’s Tommy Craig and Gavin Skelton helped Stirling remained calm in a game which could have easily overflowed had the students lost their cool at any point.
The student’s were knocking the ball about nicely while Mahoney, assisted by Flanagan and Crawford, kept the team’s concentration high with good communication.
The loudmouth, inept frontman for the home side was replaced at half time with pace and youth which caused a different problem for the Stirling defence; but one they dealt with effectively.
MacDougall had the chance to stretch the lead for the students when he was released by the versatile Stevie Boyle, who had returned to his natural centre midfield berth. Unfortunately the flame haired striker couldn’t add to his tally as he scuffed his effort into the legs of the keeper to set a tone for Stirling’s finishing from then on.
The game was swinging from end to end as both defences came under more pressure.
Ryan Quinn was next to see the whites of the keeper’s eyes as he collected Crawford’s through ball but his finish was identical to the earlier MacDougall effort and Loganlea survived again.
Another impressive performance by Owen Smith came to an end when he was replaced by McLaughlin on the hour. This looks to be an impressive addition to an already talented squad which could be crucial to the title run in.
Boyle could have sealed it fifteen minutes from time when great link-up down the right involving McLaughlin, Quinn and Crawford led to a free header from the fullback’s cross. Unfortunately the dynamic midfielder couldn’t find the finish which would have made the game safe.
Loganlea pressed forward in the final ten and nearly were gifted an equaliser by a hugely uncharacteristic mistake by captain for the night Mahoney. Dallying in possession allowed the speedy striker to nick the ball and set up the supporting midfielder, who blazed over. This was the only error in an otherwise impeccable display from the stopper who may be playing his final games for the university.
Loganlea were reduced to nine men in quick succession as after a tackle the home side’s player was given a second yellow for dissent. The other was dismissed for an off the ball swipe of substitute Ryan Lynch’s legs which the player couldn’t have too many complaints about due to the lateness of the supposed ‘tackle’.
The final moment of controversy arrived in the last minute as a corner was whipped into the Stirling penalty area. A snap shot caught Betreen on the arm but the referee took the view he could do nothing about it, and the rebound was smashed against the chest of Boyle as Stirling clung on.
Straight from this Betreen found himself through on goal but put it wide with virtually the last kick of the game.
A massive three points for the students was overshadowed by the referee being forced to flee the area, still in full kit, due to his fear for his own safety. The University side did well to focus on the football and put in an impressive display against tough opposition.
Stirling travel to local rivals Thistle on Saturday knowing a win would inch them closer to promotion which would be well deserved for this squad full of character.
Stirling: Harkness, Crawford, Flanagan, Mahoney, Brodie, Quinn (Lynch), McCall, Boyle, Smith (McLaughlin), MacDougall, Betreen Subs: Lynch, Wells
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