Match report

Match report

With the return to winter in the inner hills area, Stirling United welcomed the opportunity to travel to a slightly drier pitch at Murray Bridge to take on the team immediately above them on the ladder. The game started with both defences well on top, and no clear chances for either side. Murray Bridge’s keeper was particularly vocal encouraging strong defence from his team to maintain the pressure on Stirling United.

Spectators at the game started to sense a slight shift in momentum towards the Stirling team, and a lovely run down the left from Nik Smith saw him have an open shot on goal which drew a great save from the keeper to tip it over the bar. A couple of minutes later, Smith was again making a charge forward, and this time his shot flew across the keeper and into the far side of the net to give Stirling the lead going into half time.

The second half commenced with Stirling continuing to hold a slight edge in the play on the field, but with the weather closing in, the game saw another shift back toward Murray Bridge. With light drizzle falling, the majority of the last 30 mins of the match was played in the Stirling defensive half. The back line of Stirling repelled attack after attack which saw Murray Bridge getting few clear chances, however there were a number of occasions when the Stirling fans had their hearts in their mouths as it appeared Murray Bridge might get a late equaliser. When the final whistle went, Stirling had held on by the tightest of margins.