Stirling 2 Loganlea 0



Parade around Stirling to be arranged



Title glory for deserving students

Stirling clinched the title with a comfortable win which saw them become the university side to move out of the league for the first time since their entry into the Stirling and District set-up in the late 1970’s.

The result was far more comfortable on the day than the scoreline suggests as the students made the most of their time on Stirling’s version of Wembley, the Stade De Gowrie. It may be a while before any of the team get to return to grace the park and they put on a terrific showing, providing the 20-strong support at the sidelines with a day to remember before Final Fling in the evening.

After the 5-1 win over Zetland in midweek, Stirling were full of confidence and this showed as they took control of the game from the off. The students looked determined as they tried to carve open a side who gave them one of their toughest games of the season in the reverse fixture, winning 1-0 in a hostile away match.



Quinn in impressive form



Ryan Quinn has been in imperious form down the left in the final games of the season and could have opened the scoring after just ten minutes. Released by a slide-rule Boyle pass through the centre, Quinn outstripped the defenders for pace but could only shoot straight at the keeper as Stirling settled well.

Chris Betreen and Matty McLaughlin have been in outstanding scoring touch recently, with 11 in the last 5 before this, and both looked dangerous once again as their movement caused havoc for the Loganlea backline.

It was top scorer Betreen who had the first attempt at keeping the streak going beating the offside trap to bare down on the keeper. Rounding the goalie, he did well to stay on his feet before shooting but the shot lacked enough power and the covering defender managed to clear.

Stirling looked dangerous every time they went forward with Will Barker in a typically creative mood. Spraying balls from side-to-side he was giving the kind of display that saw him named player of the year at the end of season awards. Ably assisted by Stevie Boyle, the two central midfielders were dictating the play as the students tried to get the win they need to secure the title.

They were to get the opener after 25 minutes and it was McLaughlin who got it. After another run from Quinn had escaped the troubled Loganlea right-back, he squared the ball across the penalty area. After Betreen couldn’t get there at the front post, McLaughlin arrived at the back to tap home, ease Stirling nerves and give the home crowd a chance to get their vuvuzela’s out.



Mahoney in typical 'Taps Aff' fashion.



Playing in their final games as students of the university, Ryan Mahoney and returning skipper Jono Cooper were commanding as ever in the heart of the defence not giving the opposition strike-force a sniff. Backed by James Brodie and Graeme Crawford in the fullback slots, Loganlea never got into the game, as an attacking force, at any stage.

Barker almost added to the lead after arriving late into the box to connect with Quinn’s cross but the Shrewsbury born number 7 couldn't direct his header away from the keeper and it was blocked away to safety. Stirling couldn’t force a second goal before half-time but went into the break buoyed by their first half performance, on a pitch that had deteriorated with a season’s worth of wear and tear to contend with.

The students were again dominant in the second period with Loganlea seemingly conceding that the students were the better side and deserved the trophy that was almost theirs. Unlike in midweek, the students kept up their level of performance in the second 45 and looked dangerous every time they went forward.

Mahoney rifled a free kick into the wall from a dangerous position, Barker put a free kick over the bar and McLaughlin had an effort saved by the keeper as Stirling continued to pile pressure on the defence.

The central midfield pairing of Loganlea began to see more of the ball as the half wore on and from a ball in behind, they nearly grabbed an undeserved equaliser. Cooper blocked a ball through and tried to take the ball out of defence. He was robbed by the opposing striker and with a first time hit the young left winger for Loganlea rattled the post from 20 yards.



MacDougall almost added
to the scoreline. It's meant to
be Blue Peter  by the way.
"Thinking outside the box".



Taking advantage of the let off Stirling sealed the win as Crawford got into double figures for the season. A drilled corner from Barker went through everyone to the back post and seemingly away from danger. The defender’s clearance though, rebounded off his own man and fell kindly to Crawford 6 yards out who tapped home spreading relief through the Stirling ranks.

MacDougall replaced a tired Betreen up front while Barker was forced off with an injury, McLean coming on with McCall moving inside one. MacDougall had the chance to grab a goal on the hallowed turf after Crawford cut the ball back from the by-line, but his shot from 8 yards went up and over the bar as Stirling looked to add some gloss to the scoreline.

Connor Wells, with the gorgeous Sharon Wells watching on, replaced McCall in the centre of the park and almost scored moments after coming on. McLaughlin managed to run in behind and, going with the shout, cut the ball back to the edge of the area. Wells, even with his new aerodynamic haircut, couldn't get there quickly enough and the keeper smothered the ball at his feet.

Stirling played out the remaining time comfortably against a tired Loganlea side, which fell out of the title race a couple of weeks previous. With the sideline cheering every pass, Stirling played the game out and knew the title was theirs.



Captain will be a
big miss next season.



The final whistle sparked jubilant scenes as the students got their just reward for a tough season and there was a mini pitch invasion from the supporters as they joined in with the victorious songs. With the champagne empty, party poppers popped and the toy trophy presented, the students retreated to the changing rooms where the first of many beverages was cracked open and the third team went to Final Fling as Stirling and District League Champions.

Ecstatic captain Cooper said “I’m over the moon for the boys and delighted we have got from the season what we deserved. A lot of thanks must go to our coaches Tommy Craig and Gavin Skelton who have been exceptional throughout the year for us. In what could be my last season as a university player, it is a brilliant feeling to win the title as captain and get the team promoted for the first time in its history.”

James Brodie was unavailable for comment due to drunken circumstances.

Speacial mention must go to Ryan Mahoney, Jono Cooper, Matty McLaughlin, Chris Betreen and James Brodie who are in their final year as students and all will be massively missed.

Man of the Match: Ryan Quinn

Stirling: Harkness, Crawford, Cooper, Mahoney, Brodie, McCall, Barker (McLean), Boyle, Quinn, Betreen (MacDougall), McLaughlin    Subs: Chapman, Lynch