Match report

Match report

The sun was peeking through at times as the players took to the pitch for this second round match between the teams that finished in second and third place in U16 last year. Murray Bridge started strongly with a couple of early chances, but as Stirling settled, Araby Phelan, playing in the unfamiliar position of left full back, pushed forward and crossed the ball superbly for Henry Monaghan to header the opening goal. Murray Bridge threatened to immediately reply with Edward Mato making a strong run down the left, his powerful shot looking in all the way until it struck the crossbar and went over.

Stirling extended their lead when Monaghan shot the ball from out on the right, drawing a great save from Jayden Vokes but the deflection fell to Toby Leigh who was able to drive the ball past Vokes and into the net.

Stirling continued to have chances to score, with both Emily Bouchereau and Monaghan missing good chances, but it was Monaghan again who controlled the ball beautifully in the box, and then slotted home a right foot shot in the bottom left corner. Mato took a free kick late that just flew over the top to see the score remain 3-0 to Stirling at half time.

Murray Bridge came out with renewed energy after half time, with Mato scoring twice, using his pace to get past the defence and despite great attempts to save from Lachlan Stein in the Stirling goal, scoring twice to reduce the margin to one with 17 minutes to play.

With the tension in the game rising, a delightful cross from Tom Harris was perfectly weighted for Zachary Gardner-Sheridan to run on to and bury the ball in the net from close range, leaving Stirling with their first win of the season.