Match report

Match report

Stirling United travelled to Strathalbyn to take on undefeated Strathalbyn White in what promised to be a tightly contested match. Strathalbyn were pressing early, with Stirling unable to control the ball and constantly under pressure. After being awarded a somewhat contentious penalty, Strathalbyn went ahead after 10 minutes, and continued to have the game almost entirely in their forward half. Stirling had their first real chance when Matthew Silcock took a cross on the volley but the ball drifted wide. Further chances for Strathalbyn followed in what was pretty much one way traffic, but outstanding defending from captain Toby Leigh prevented the scoreline blowing out.

In the latter stages of the half, the momentum started to swing as Stirling settled and started to string together some passes. A typical run down the right wing from Ky Henry saw a cross well controlled by Silcock and then guided into the back of the net to level the scores. Shortly after, following a goal kick, pressure from Stirling saw Strathalbyn lose control of the ball on the edge of the area, and Silcock passed to Tom Harris who curled a lovely shot in to the top right corner to see Stirling take the lead. A final foray forward from Strathalbyn leading into half time seemed certain to level the scores, but a perfect tackle from Henry saw the ball go behind for a corner and the opportunity lost.

Stirling came out strongly in the second half, with the ball almost entirely forward of half way, but couldn’t find a way to score. Against the run of play, Strathalbyn had the ball down the other end in a flash, and with the ball bobbling away from the keeper, took the opportunity to even things up. Stirling continued to have chances, but Strathalbyn’s keeper continued to parry shot after shot away. Again Strathalbyn opened up Stirling on the fast break, with Kalan Brooks getting around the Stirling keeper and calmly giving Strathalbyn the lead.

In the final quarter hour, Stirling had multiple opportunities, but it appeared that Strathalbyn were going to hold them out, with shots from Henry Monaghan and Zac Gardiner-Sheridan being denied by great saves from the keeper. Then with only 4 minutes left, the ball fell for Ryan Stevens who levelled things up from short range.

The game finished in an entertaining 3-3 draw between two of the stronger teams in the division who will likely be in the mix at the end of the season.