Stirling 2nd X1 3-2 Balmore

Caledonian League
Saturday 20th October 2012

Stirling escaped from the Gannochy with three points after a lackluster performance almost cost them the victory right at the death.

Taking advantage of the freshly built 4G astroturf, the game took place on the new surface with Stirling looking to take advantage of the width the park provides.

Balmore made most of the early running as Stirling struggled to get a foot on the ball. The unconventional set-up applied in the middle of the park by the away side was troubling the students as their opponents continually swapped positions.

Bagged the 1st

Keith Glendinning and Harry Stewart were dealing well with the lone striker as their opponents failed to convert their possession into goals, while at the other end, the imposing striking duo of Jacob Arnold-Smith and Elliot Sutcliffe were slowly beginning to link up better after a slow start.

Stirling could have went ahead when Arnold-Smith spun his defender and was bearing down on goal. However the ex-Gillingham man failed to notice the run of Oliver Monguel and fired his shot over the bar as Balmore escaped.

Scott Tully was continuing his recent run of good form out on the left, beating his man time and again but Stirling couldn't quite take advantage of his delivery.

The home side were to take the lead as Arnold-Smith made up for his earlier error. Spinning away from the close attentions of the central defender he fed a delightful ball in behind for Monguel. the ex-Fulham trainee shot early to the surprise of the keeper, and he was unable to prevent the ball crossing the line.

The goal settled Stirling, but rather than build on they were pegged back ten minutes later. A looped ball in behind put Glendinning and Jake Fifer in trouble and Balmore's striker pounced to nick the ball past the keeper and tap home.

Gave Stirling a half-time lead

With the scores level Stirling started again and were looking the more likely to score as the half drifted to a close and they were fortunate to go in a goal with Arnold-Smith on target. A whipped ball in from the right fell to Sutcliffe and his lay off was fired home.

There was one change at the break with Graeme Crawford  replacing Matthew Sheridan at left-back.

Riteesh Mishra and Cole Harrop were working hard in the middle of the park, up against three, and were spreading the ball from side to side effectively. The tempo of the game remained low however, which left Stirling unable to play with their usual quick pass and move approach.

Balmore were coming more and more into the game as the half wore on with Stirling failing to make the right decisions in the final third and losing possession far too frequently.

The away sides right hand side was their main threat as Stirling failed to deal with wandering midfielders and the began to create chances with Fifer having to be at his best to tip a goal bound effort round the post.

Numerous key saves

Fifer was again involved as Balmore threatened an equaliser after a series of questionable refereeing decisions went against the home side; most noticeably some swinging elbows which Crawford and Stewart had to battle through.

With 20 minutes to go Stirling brought on Alex Wilson and Evan Brandsdorfer for the two front men as they looked to consolidate their lead. Callum Liddle replaced Tully with ten minutes left in an attempt to further shore up the defence.

The away side did get their goal though with just two minutes remaining as the ball was curled into the top corner past the helpless, and unfortunate, Fifer as Balmore looked to have snatched a point.

Last minute winner

However Stirling showed some character and pushed up the field. Wilson rolled his marker on the edge of the area and played the ball to Harrop's feet. His touch and shot was drilled beautifully into the top corner as Stirling nicked the three points right at the death.

An unusually poor performance for Stirling but in the end a valuable win which leaves them mid-table with a few games in hand.



Stirling: Fifer, Aitken, Glendinning, Stewart, Sheridan (Crawford 45), Monguel, Mishra, Harrop, Tully (Liddle 80), Sutcliffe (Wilson 70), Arnold-Smith (Brandsdorfer 70)

Stirling 2nd X1's next game is away to Viewfield Rovers in the Colville Park West Scotland Cup on Saturday 27th October with a 2pm kick off.

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