Caledonian Braves 3 – 0 University of Stirling
The University of Stirling were left ruing missed chances after losing 3-0 to Caledonian Braves in the Lowland League on Saturday.
The defeat leaves the students in 11th place in the 16-team league after taking four points from the first four games of the season.
On a warm afternoon at Alliance Park, Bellshill, the match was well balanced as both teams knocked the ball around in the early stages. Braves almost took the lead following a poor back pass from Stirling, however, captain Angus Mailer recovered well to prevent a goal.
Both sides moved the ball around well and Stirling hit the post on 26 minutes after good play from Aidan Peden resulted in Jason Jarvis hitting the post.
Stirling dominated the first 20 minutes of the second half and, while they did test the Braves goalkeeper, they couldn’t find the net.
It was Braves that opened the scoring on 63 minutes, following a mistake in the Stirling midfield. From the edge of the Stirling box, Braves forward Neil McLaughlin slotted the ball low to goalkeeper Kevin Walker’s left to give the home side the lead.
McLaughlin scored again on 76 minutes following a quick counter attack, before fellow forward Ross McNeil completed the scoring in stoppage time.
Speaking after the game, Stirling manager Chris Geddes said: “It was a well balanced match but a mistake led to us conceding the first goal and that knocked the wind out of our sails.
“It is a disappointing result considering we were on top when the goal came, however, to win games you have to take your chances.”
Stirling will play two home league matches this week – against Vale of Leithen at 7.45pm on Wednesday and Gala Fairydean Rovers at 3pm on Saturday. Vale of Leithen are bottom of the table after failing to score any points from their first five matches, while Gala Fairydean sit one place above Stirling, in 10th.
University staff and students, along with members of the wider community, are encouraged to come along and support the team. Tickets are £6 for adults and £3 for concessions. For more information on the University team, check out their new website at: stirlingunifc.stir.ac.uk
Stirling team: Walker, Burrows (Heath, 78’), Webb, Mailer, Downie, Berry, Brown, McGale (Kennedy, 82’), Penker, Jarvis, Peden (Hall, 65’).
Unused subs: Fry, Quigley, Doan, Bremner.