Tullibody 1 Stirling 2

Daylight Robbery

Stirling spent a night in the cells after throwing on the balaclava’s and stripy jumpers to nick 3 points from a dominant Tullibody outfit. With the main talk before the match being of the local celebrity in the oppositions ranks, Take me out’s Tambo, Stirling took their eye of the ball putting a poor performance which deserved a defeat rather than a promotion boosting win.

Right from the start Tullibody took control, spraying the ball across the park until the long ball in behind was on. Stirling’s backline were repeatedly stretched in the early moments by the pace of the opposition’s strike force.

They were lucky to remain level as a ball down the left evaded Mitch Henderson and left a one v one with Ross Harkness staying big and forcing the shot to trickle wide. Stirling weren’t to escape unharmed though as their poor start was punished minutes later. Yet another long ball left Harkness exposed and this time there was no mistake with the finish, leaving Stirling shell shocked at the start.

Tullibody continued to maintain possession as Stirling struggle to get a hold of the ball for more than a couple of passes. Tackle were flying in from all angles from the home side which was to be a feature of the game, something Stirling will have to get used to over the remainder of the season.



Kept Stirling in the game



The front pairing of Chris Betreen and Jason Bolam were struggling to touch the ball, never mind create a chance, due to the majority of second balls finding a Tullibody player. Stirling were lucky to go into half-time with only a one goal deficit as a cross from the Stirling left was met with a firm header and, instinctively, Harkness managed to palm the ball away from danger.

The second half was a more even affair as Stirling managed to settle on what was a bobbly playing surface. The on-loan Kevin Hughes was winning almost every header in the centre of the park and Stirling were picking up the loose balls which gave a basis to build from. Jason Bolam had an early chance, picking the ball up and, with defenders being dragged away, unleashed a driven effort which went narrowly wide of the left hand post.



Local Celeb



Mikey MacDougall replaced Connor Wells in a tactical reshuffle while Tambo made his much anticipated appearance as a striker. It was almost an immediate impact from the bleach blonde frontman as he had a golden chance one on one with Harkness. Unfortunately he blew it by blazing over as the nightmare noise of 30 buzzers sounding came flooding back.

Matty McLaughlin replaced Ryan Quinn as MacDougall went out right with Jamie Mclean moving in one to centre midfield. This switch gave the away side a better structure and they took advantage almost straight away. After Graeme Crawford had clipped a ball in behind for Betreen, the covering defender punched the ball clear stopping Betreen from being in on goal. Only the free kick was given and, after a brief delay while Crawford’s toys were cleared from the pitch back to the pram, McLaughlin stepped up to rifle the ball into the top right postage stamp and the students were level.

An increasingly vocal Tullibody sideline was contesting every possible decision with the referee being abused whenever feasible. The referee was managing to control the game well as late challenges were coming in on Stirling’s players like they were going out of fashion. A number of yellow cards were handed out after a series of fouls, which didn’t go down well with the home side’s support.



Match Winner



Stirling completed the smash and grab with 5 minutes remaining. After McLaughlin came off injured, Crawford moved on one and Tom Flanagan came in at right back. After Flanagan’s hopeful/calculated ball forward, Bolam played Crawford in down the right. Managing to get to the by-line, the ball was stood up to the back post and, as the keeper flapped, Hughes was there to tap home and secure a valuable 3 points.

A late sending off for foul and abusive language left the home side further frustrated and the game ended in a fortunate win for the university side.

Stirling know they will have to improve when they face the upcoming challenges in the next few games, starting with Stirling Thistle on Saturday. A majority of the team will need to toughen up if they are continue this 100% record and have hopes at a title party come the end of the campaign.

Manager’s Man of the Match: Graeme Crawford

Stirling: Harkness, Crawford, Cooper, Mahoney, Henderson, McLean, Wells (MacDougall), Hughes, Quinn(McLaughlin(Flanagan)), Bolam, Betreen  Subs: Chapman