Stirling march towards promotion with dominant win.
Stirling seem to have hit form at the perfect time of the season as they are now within three points of promotion to division 1. With 4 games remaining it seems the students will make the step up although a title is also up for grabs with Braehead hot on their heels.
On a difficult pitch and with the sun making it seeing the ball problematic, the students handled it better to dominate proceedings from the off.
A re-shuffled back four meant Ryan Mahoney had to again marshal a new defence from his customary centre-half role and was commanding as ever alongside ‘The Beard’ Stevie Boyle.
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| Too much wrestling could have caused goal drought. |
The partnership of Chris Betreen and Matty McLaughlin up front continued to flourish after a brace from McLaughlin in the previous game, Betreen followed suit to break his 5 game barren spell.
Betreen had a chance early on as he latched on a ball down the left to break past the defender. Unfortunately on his weaker side he dragged his shot wide to let the away side off the hook.
Stirling were to take the lead not long after however as Graeme Crawford converted a Will Barker corner. With Mahoney distracting the taller defenders, Crawford got free at the front post and headed across the goal into the bottom corner for his 9th of the season.
The goal calmed Stirling nerves and they began to play some encouraging passing football. Ryan Quinn linked up well with Euan McCall with a quick one-two down the left, but the Ryan Lynch couldn’t put the header past the over-worked goalkeeper.
Barker and McCall were pulling the strings from the middle of the park as Stirling dominated proceedings and could have went further ahead had Crawford converted one of the three headed chances from corners.
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| Tough for Quinn to claim his 2nd of the season |
Stirling took a two goal lead into half-time after great running from Betreen in the wide area left Quinn with the chance to score. His shot was deflected not once, not twice but three times before slithering into the net, leaving a tough decision for the dubious goals committee, however it looks doubtful the lizard can claim it as his own.
Dunblane came out for the second half at an increased tempo which caught the home side somewhat unawares and they struggled to get out of their half for the first ten minutes of the half.
They were made to pay for the poor start to the second period as Dunblane were awarded a fortunate penalty. After what looked like a foul throw, the striker completely missed the ball and it bounced up and onto Barker’s arm and the spot kick was given. Harkness couldn’t get near the ball as it nestled in the corner for a Thistle lifeline.
Stirling managed to regain their composure however and didn’t let the momentum sift completely towards the away team. Crawford and Owen Smith, in the other full-back position, were seeing plenty of the ball which allowed a better attacking threat for the university.
The game was virtually killed off as Betreen broke his recent goal-scoring duck, and hit the barn door he’d been missing recently. The young English frontman was rewarded for his effort and commitment as, after a great run, a Matty McLaughlin shot was blocked, and when Lynch squared Betreen was there to tap home and near the twenty-mark for the season.
The goal gave Stirling more composure as the away side began to tire. The front two for Stirling had visibly grown in confidence and were running the back four ragged in a pleasing sight for on-looking coach Craig.
Jamie McLean took over for Quinn on the left and after a difficult start, grew into the game and got the better of the full-back time and again.
Betreen added to his tally ten minutes after his first when ball-playing centre half Mahoney sent an outside of the foot pass forward in the direction of the over-lapping Crawford. With too much spin the ball made its way to Betreen, who spun his defender, and in typical fashion slotted by the keeper to add gloss to the scoreline.
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| Escaped one nickname. Gained another. |
There was a brief pause as a lesbian seemed to invade the pitch and run towards a shocked referee. However it turned out to be a freshly shaven Connor Wells replacing the injured Barker and order was restored.
Stirling controlled the remainder of the game as the away side couldn’t keep up with the more athletic students. They could have added to their tally but a stonewall penalty on Betreen wasn't given as the official seemed to try and even up an earlier decision before the goal.
The final piece of action left Dunblane down to ten men as a late kick on McCall was seen as violent conduct by an overly officious referee. It was a harsh decision but made no impact on the game as it happened so late on.
Stirling now go into the re-match on Saturday knowing a win will guarantee them promotion although the champagne remains firmly on ice until the points are in the bag and a professional job is needed to keep their title ambitions on as much as anything.
Man of the Match: Chris Betreen
Stirling: Harkness, Smith, Boyle, Mahoney, Crawford, Lynch, McCall, Barker (Wells), Quinn (McLean), McLaughlin, Betreen Subs: Chapman, Cooper
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