Civil Service Strollers 0 – 1 University of Stirling
Christie Gillies Park, Edinburgh. 31/10/20, 3pm
Lowland League

University of Stirling’s four-game unbeaten run ended in Edinburgh on Saturday, following a 1-0 defeat to Civil Service Strollers in difficult conditions.

The students were high on confidence going into their sixth Lowland League match of the season – having won three and drawn one of their previous encounters.

However, strong wind and heavy rain made it difficult for both teams at Christie Gillies Park and it was the home side that came out on top, thanks to a good finish from Alieu Faye.

Speaking after the game, University Head Coach Chris Geddes said: “It was a disappointing defeat for the team today – obviously, we’d been on a good run going into the match. It’s the third year in a row that we’ve lost one-nil here – they are tight games – but the wind ruined it for both sides today. 

“They played well, while we were a bit flat – and they deserved the win, fair play to them.”

Civil struck an early blow when Scott Clapperton – who had picked up a loose pass from Stirling’s Marcus Lavery – threaded a ball between the centre-halves to Faye. Faye rounded goalkeeper Ben Fry and left Matthew Burrows and Conor Doan scrambling as he neatly slotted into the net.

Stirling’s Jason Jarvis prompted a save from the Civil goalkeeper moments later after cutting in from the left. Jamie Penker delivered the away side’s best chance of the half on 29 minutes – drilling a ball across the face of goal, but no one was able to capitalise.

After the break, Faye squandered two excellent chances to double Civil’s lead – and Fry kept Stirling in the game with a string of excellent saves. At the other end of the pitch, Doan came closest to an equaliser – having two efforts cleared from the line – and the match ended 1-0.

Stirling return to action on Saturday with a home encounter against Dalbeattie Star.

Geddes said: “It’s a big game for both teams – we will hopefully have a good week at training this week and our main aim will be to play better than we did today.”

For the latest squad information, fixtures and results, visit stirlingunifc.stir.ac.uk

University of Stirling: Fry, Burrows (Baird, 80’), Quigley, Doan, Lavery (Bremner, 80’), Downie (Heath, 67’), Brown, Berry (Kennedy, 80’), Penker (Hall, 67’), Jarvis, McGale

Civil Service Strollers: Budinaukus, Cunningham, Clapperton, Fee, McConnell, Brydon, Newall, Faye, Moffat, Gibson, McIles
Scorer: Faye (13’)