Doouuuggggaaayyyy!!!!!
Finally! In a more anticipated moment than The Rock’s return to WWE, Mikey MacDougall at last managed to see the net rustle. To quote Football Manager, relief was etched across MacDougall’s face as he ended his goal drought and hopefully they will now begin to flow.
On a glorious day for football Stirling looked comfortable in this match despite conceding two sloppy goals which put their position under question.
With Glenvale arriving with barely a starting 11, the students knew they should be putting a few goals past an ageing side sitting bottom of the league.
Stirling were keeping the ball well from the off as they played across the back four well, although the ball into strikers and midfield was not quite as good.
They were to get the early goal they needed through Chris Betreen as he latched onto a MacDougall through ball. After rounding the keeper he managed to slot home from a tight angle and Stirling were ahead.
Despite being rarely pressurised on the ball to any real extent, Stirling failed to press home their advantage as a couple of long-range efforts whistled over the bar and the away side’s keeper made some good blocks.
Glenvale equalised against the run of play as indecision cost Stirling. A long ball through the middle was deflected and with returning keeper Ross Chapman and Ryan Mahoney leaving it to each other, the Glenvale frontman nipped in to knock it over Chapman and into the net.
It wasn't long before the home side managed to get back in front however and it was that man MacDougall who got off the mark for the season. Chasing down a lost cause he managed to nick the ball from a stumbling defender on the left side of the area. Ignoring Ryan Quinn in the centre, MacDougall curled a beautiful effort into the far corner and a surprisingly muted celebration from the shocked frontman.
Glenvale hit back five minutes later though as Stirling’s lack of height was exposed from a free kick. A ball from the Stirling right was flighted in to the back post and one of three men who had slipped their marker nodded up and over Chapman to bring the game level again.
Stirling were playing better than previous games and deserved more than a draw going into the final stages of the half. They were to get their reward after a stunning strike from central midfielder Euan McCall. After a ball was headed out to around twenty yards, McCall stepped onto the half volley, left footed, and rifled it into the top left corner.
There was still time for captain for the day Will Barker to clip the crossbar from a free kick as Stirling took a narrow lead into the break, which should have been a lot more.
The domination of possession continued in the second half for the Stirling side as they kept the ball nicely, though the pace of the game was relatively slow.
Stirling were gaining joy with their movement through the middle and also down the flanks. James Brodie and Graeme Crawford were getting forward in support, with Crawford going close with a shot from the edge of the box which just went wide of the left post.
Will Barker almost added a fourth but the cut back from Crawford had too much pace, meaning the young Englishman was unable to force the ball goal wards. Ghazi replaced Betreen as they looked for a different option in attack to find the killer goal.
Owen Smith made his debut for the university third team and looked controlled and comfortable on the ball. He was unlucky not to open his account as a volley flashed across the face of goal and wide.
Stirling were to kill the game off with twenty minutes left as they were awarded a penalty. Ryan Mahoney was bundled over at a corner, leaving the referee no choice, and Barker stepped up to slot home.
Stirling made further changes as Connor Wells came on in middle of the park and looked composed as Stirling saw out the game, reshuffling player’s positions in preparation for Monday’s game at Braehead.
Crawford had a late chance getting away from two players before shooting just wide. The game was seen out with more Stirling pressure on a day when they could have scored a lot more.
After recent performances, Stirling will be happy at some of the football they played, although they are still quite a bit away from their best. Braehead on Monday is a massive game as Stirling seek revenge for the previous 4-1 defeat, and it makes for a appetising contest.
Ref’s Man of the Match: Will Barker (Although player’s give it to Douuugggaaayyyy)
Stirling: Chapman, Crawford, Boyle, Mahoney, Brodie, McLean, Barker, McCall (Wells), Quinn (Smith), MacDougall, Betreen (Ghazi) Subs: Lynch
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