By Andrew Robson at Forthbank
Stirling University’s unbeaten run came to an end against Civil Service Strollers on Sunday afternoon.
Two second-half strikes for the away side sealed the victory. Both goals came after Stirling defender Matty Burrows was sent off with half an hour still to play.
The students started the better side, with Burrows having two chances at the back post in the opening exchanges of the game, his first catching the outside of the post.
But as the half progressed Civil Service started to get more joy. Striker Faye squandered the best chance of the 45, having been slipped through by ex-Uni star Louis Kennedy, only to drag his shot wide.
Opportunities came both sides way in the second half. First Strollers forward Cole missed a one-on-one before the Civil keeper got down well to save a strike from Calum Rae which was heading for the bottom corner.
However, the game changed in minute 67 when Burrows conceded a penalty and was shown his second yellow card of the afternoon. Faye stepped up to take and hit the inside of the post, Fry gratefully turning to collect the rebounding ball.
Despite the penalty miss, the red card would prove to be the turning point in the game. Lawson first scored a header from close range before Kasa added the Strollers’ second following some good work from Young as Stirling failed to clear from a corner.
Following the defeat, Uni head coach Chris Geddes said: “The first goal was key, both teams had chances in the first half, and we went into halftime saying it could’ve been 3-0 to them or 2-0 to us.
“We dug in for a bit but it was two good finishes that got them the win.
“The most disappointing thing is that I didn’t see it coming, we’ve been playing really well, but maybe that brings a few guys back down to earth and me as well and we just remember where we are and that we need to work harder.
“Credit to Civil, their backline was strong, but we were in the game.
“We’ve got a big game on Wednesday and then a couple of cup games, so we’ll keep going.
“There’ll be boys hurting in there but that’s what happens when you play the top teams, it hurts when you lose, so hopefully, they remember this and we move on and try to avoid it happening again.”
Next up is Loughborough University in the BUCS Premier North division on Wednesday. Kick-off is 3:15 at the Gannochy.
University of Stirling: Fry, Lavery, Burrows, Service, Heal, Berry, Russel (Thompson 62), Rae (Gilmour 70), McKinley (Jarvis 70), Munro (Maciver-Redwood 62), McGill (Mirzasalimov 82)
Civil Service Strollers: Whyte, Irving, Clarke, Kasa, Ozturk, Duffy, Faye, Laird, Cole, Lawson, Kennedy