Stirling 4 Milton 1

After a less than impressive start to life in Division 1, Stirling seem to be finding their feet in the Saturday league once again with an important win against Milton. Playing on the Astroturf could have proved difficult but Stirling took advantage to play some flowing football that in the end deserved the win.

Last season's skipper returned

Stirling came up against tough opposition in Milton, a team who were sitting second in the table before the match. Stirling were caused problems by a side that did not resemble a typical district league side i.e. they tried to play some football without resorting to being over physical.

Stirling welcomed back into the side Ross Chapman, Jonathan Cooper and skipper Stevie Boyle and their influence relaxed a side who had been shaky at times on a Saturday.

The first half was a frenetic affair with both teams having chances and playing some eye-catching football. Playing against an unfamiliar, narrow formation employed by their opponents, Stirling coped well and moved the ball from side to side which unnerved their opponents. This was prove by two substitutions in the first half hour along with a change of formation.

Ryan Quinn was particularly involved early on and made a couple of inviting runs which couldn't quite be converted into chances. However he was to get his reward with a stunning strike to give the students the lead. An incisive ball from Owen Smith, who performed admirably in an alien left back position, reached Quinn 25 yards out. A superb curling effort got up and over the keeper into the far corner to unleash the lizard’s tongue for the second time this season.

Don't know what this picture is, but
unlucky not to keep a clean sheet

Stirling were to face some pressure on the own goal though throughout the first half. From two corners in near succession, Milton hit the inside of the post and the top of the bar which was the piece of luck Stirling had been missing in recent Saturday games this season.

Stirling had another let off as a superb curling shot left Chapman beaten but the ball struck the post and came back out. The waiting Milton striker tapped the ball home, but a tremendous decision by the referee ruled the number ten offside and Stirling were off the hook once again.

They could have made it two before had Graeme Crawford been more clinical. A short corner gave Smith the ball and his whipped cross found Crawford four yards out. However his header cracked the bar and rebounded back out, a chance which left Crawford injured after being clattered by the defender. Half-time arrived with the game still hanging in the balance.

Awww

Stirling began the second half in vibrant fashion, showing renewed vigour as Cooper and Ryan Mahoney began to dominate the two strikers; allowing Stirling to build from the back. They were to double their advantage with fresher Michael Tuohy getting his third goal of the season. Crawford found Tuohy in the centre of the park and, after losing then regaining possession, played a delightful reverse ball in behind the defence to Quinn. The winger drove into the box and cut the ball back to the supporting Tuohy, who swept home in a superb move which deserved its outcome.

Almost immediately however Stirling lost their two goal cushion. Failing to clear a long throw allowed a strike at goal and the unfortunate Tuohy’s block went past the helpless Chapman to give the Milton players hope. Stirling didn't collapse though and pushed forward again towards a defence that was uncomfortable with the pressure applied by ever-willing strike force of Mikey MacDougall and Matty McLachlan.

A third goal arrived from Crawford to settle nerves again when they could have folded. A superb whipped ball to the front post by Smith was met by Crawford and the goalkeeper couldn't keep it out despite getting a strong hand to it.

With confidence back through the side, Stirling managed to get a fourth ten minutes later. Great industry in the middle of the park by Jamie McLean, continuing his good form, led to Quinn being slipped through. Taking the ball on the bounce he lifted it over the keeper as Stirling threatened to run away with the game.

Chapman still had to be alert in goal and he pulled off two smart stops as Milton reminded the students they weren’t out of the game yet. The moment of the match arrived with the two centre half’s and goalkeeper indulging in some impromptu showboating.

Good brace for the lizard

A long ball was going over Cooper’s head but was cut out with a back heel on the stretch which found Mahoney. Two keepy-ups later Chapman was on the ball and after a cheeky touch and knee, he shelled the ball out of the park with Stirling in buoyant mood.

Stirling sat back content with their three goal cushion but invited pressure which could have gone against them. They managed to get their two banks of four sorted and had a couple of half chances before the end of the game, most noticeably a strike from Boyle which was spilled by the goalkeeper.

Stirling came through this tough test which will stand them in good stead for up-coming games. Glasgow University 2^nd’s away is the task facing the team on Wednesday, a game which could put the opposition out of sight in the promotion race. A result like this can only be beneficial for the confidence of the side.

John Ingles/Ref’s Man of the Match: Graeme Crawford

Stirling: Chapman, Crawford, Cooper, Mahoney, Smith, McLean, Boyle, Tuohy (MacDonald), Quinn, McLachlan (McCall), MacDougall Subs: Wells, Gillespie