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,