Stirling 3 Glasgow 2's 2

Stirling 3 Glasgow 2’s 2

Old foes downed as Stirling kick off their season

Stirling stole a march on their Glaswegian counterparts by taking the spoils on a baking hot afternoon. Combining this with a pristine playing surface, it was a superb day for football and Stirling took advantage to secure 3 points.

Linked well with MacDougall

The home side got off to a flyer after they were awarded a debateable penalty two minutes in. Good link play between Ian Bailey and Mikey MacDougall left the latter clear in the box. The challenge did come from behind but seemed to get the ball; and with no real claims from the Stirling side it was a surprise to see the spot kick awarded. Graeme Crawford stepped up to send the keeper the wrong way as they snapped up the early bonus.

Stirling were maintaining the ball with the early goal settling any nerves. Ryan Quinn had a glorious chance to net from 12 yards after a cutback, but he blazed over. However they suffered injuries to both their central midfielders within five minutes of each other and had to react accordingly. Connor Wells was first off being replaced by fresher to the team Connor Reid who coped well with being thrown in at the deep end for his first game in the Stirling 3^rd team.

Captain Stevie Boyle was next to break down as a recurrent groin injury hampers his start to the campaign. Fresh from six months in France, John McCallum replaced the bearded skipper and showed his qualities hadn’t disappeared while he had been away.

The changes altered the flow of the play to an extent as Glasgow began have the better of possession. Playing with advanced wingers and one striker was a different option than the home side normally come up against, but they were diligent enough to keep chances down to long range efforts which time and again failed to trouble the Stirling goal.

First appearance for the Polar Bears

Crawford almost gave away Stirling’s advantage when a slack header forced Stephen Donnelly into action, making a fine save down low. Making his first appearance for the Polar Bears, Donnelly, after a shaky start, looked composed and dealt well with the aerial threat the away side possessed.

Coming out from the break Stirling caught their opponents napping once again and doubled their lead. A quick throw down the right released MacDougall who spun his defender well and attacking the front post Bailey got the final touch on the driven cross to put Stirling two ahead.

While Glasgow were having the majority of the ball, Stirling dealt with the runners effectively; the centre half pairing of David Dixon and Graeme Lindsay being particularly strong and didn’t give the striker a sniff at goal all day.

Stirling were to pay for allowing Glasgow too much time and space however as they conceded with twenty five minutes left. After a few near misses, Glasgow made the breakthrough from a corner; although it was clearly the wrong decision after Dixon had shielded the ball out of play. The towering centre half got up at the back post to head home and give Glasgow hope.

Stirling weren’t finished yet however and got a crucial third soon after. The two wide and front-men put a tremendous shift in for the team and in the second half gave the defence a much needed breather.

Man of the Match did everything but score

Lindsay went inches wide with a rocket of a free kick, shaving the outside of the post and almost ending the goal of the season competition early on. Mikey MacDougall in particular was a constant menace to the visiting side and ensured they didn’t get a moments rest. With Bailey in support the two linked well to keep the pressure up on their opponents and it was MacDougall who set up the third.

Great driving play down the left hand side of the box set up his cross which arrived at Ryan Lynch. He had the simple task of knocking home to add back Stirling’s two goal cushion which disappeared almost as quickly as it arrived.

Ethan Rathore made his debut replacing man of the match MacDougall and gave a different option in the last few minutes. Ryan Lynch replaced Quinn in order to give some fresh legs against a desperate visiting outfit but not before he endured a moment to forget. After enterprising work, MacDougall managed to get the ball across to the 6 foot reptile. A scuff into the ground ensued and shortly after he scuttled away to the sidelines.

Glasgow got a second with five minutes left as Lynch misplaced a pass and the away side pounced. A quick through ball released the striker and his shot was saved but rebound off his shins and rolled over the line to set a nervy last few minutes. Lindsay nearly sealed the win after a marauding run beating three players before his skill limit hit full and he was blocked.

However Stirling kept the ball and saw the game out to take the 3 points. Stirling will be delighted with the win against one of the main challengers for the division 4 title this season and winning their home games will be a big step in gaining promotion this year.

Man of the Match: Mikey MacDougall

Stirling: Donnelly, Crawford, Lindsay, Dixon, McCue, Quinn (Lynch), Boyle (McCallum), Wells (Reid), Smith, MacDougall (Rathore), Bailey               Subs: Chapman

Slamannan 2 Stirling Uni 3

Slamannan 2 Stirling Uni 3

League campaign kicks off with a win

Stirling began life in Division 1 with a battling performance away to Slamannan which will stand the students in good stead for the season ahead. With the home side receiving 6 yellow cards and a sending off, Stirling can be commended on maintaining their composure to get the victory.

The university side have yet to find a settled side as is customary at this stage of the season so had to gel as a unit quickly. They did so quite well in the early stages but couldn't find the final pass in order to convert their possession.

Slamannan had the first clear cut chance of the match when the speedy striker rattled a post from close range giving the students a clear wake up call. With Cameron Mitchell getting more of the ball in the centre of the park, the uni began to create and look more of a threat.

Mikey MacDougall was first to see the whites of the keeper’s eyes. Latching on to a through ball he composed himself well before seeing the keeper pull off a great block to keep it goalless.

Having not learned enough from the earlier chance Stirling’s woodwork was in danger once again as the diminutive striker was first to a low cross and clipped the bar as Stirling were nearly undone once again.

Matty McLaughlin had the chance to open his account for the season soon after however as after good lay from Mitchell left Graeme Crawford facing up the home side’s defence. Crawford managed to find McLaughlin whose shot across the face of goal was smothered by the Slamannan No.1.

Stirling broke through shortly before half-time however and it came from the penalty sport. Chasing down a ball over the top, McLaughlin’s desire got him there ahead of the defender and he was chopped down. Crawford stepped up and, using the ‘Will Barker Penalty Taking Guide’, went low to the keeper’s right to give the students the lead.

The second half went more according to plan as Stirling kept the ball much to the frustration of their opponents. The referee had tried to keep his cards in his pockets but he was forced to act as time and again Stirling players were hauled down as they were punished for their better play.

They took advantage of their opponents red mist to double their lead on the hour. Mitchell showed tremendous vision to play in Crawford down the right and McLaughlin got in front of his marker to convert the drilled cross.

New captain Stevie Boyle had been leading his new charges superbly in the middle of the park, allowing the players in attack the freedom to take the extra risks. The game changed when his withdrawal was enforced due to the recurrence of a groin injury. However the introduction of Connor Wells certainly wasn't an uneventful one.

Owen Smith also joined the action replacing the committed MacDougall in playing just off the striker.

Stirling were to give themselves a scare when they gave away a penalty with 20 minutes left. Straight after a ball had flashed across the home side’s goal evading Mitchell and McLaughlin, the home side broke forward. A dinked ball towards the winger hit Wells on the shoulder but the movement of his arm towards the ball convinced the referee to point to the spot for the second time. Ross Chapman guessed correctly but there was too much power and the home side had a lifeline.

Crawford had the chance to seal the game by laying in Smith on a counter but his dallying on the ball meant by the time it arrived at Smith’s feet, the chance was gone. Although the defending by the one remaining defender has to be applauded.

Ryan Lynch replaced Ian Bailey as Stirling looked to retain possession with the clock running down. Wells was atone for the penalty incident with a crisp strike from 20 yards into the bottom corner giving the students a cushion they would come to need in the closing minutes.

The home side were reduced to ten men after Mitchell committed a foul and the central midfielder took exception, giving the creative midfielder a kick and push in the face for his trouble. Slamannan made one final effort at overturning the lead and made it 3-2 after a good strike from outside the box snuck in at the near post after Stirling failed to react to a quick free kick.

Stirling held out though to take 3 points that on another day could have been lost had the students not kept their composure. For their second competitive game as a squad Coach Tommy Craig will be pleased to see they have not lost their winning mentality over the summer break. With more match practice will surely come better performances but 3 points is all what they wanted from this early season encounter.

Coach’s Man of the Match: Ryan Mahoney

Stirling: Chapman, Dixon, Mahoney, Charles, McCue, Crawford, Boyle (Wells), Mitchell, Bailey (Lynch), McLaughlin, MacDougall (Smith) Subs: Meechan, McLean,