The University of Stirling men’s first team defeated reigning BUCS National Champions Durham University in an impressive 7-1 win.
A hat trick for Maciver Redwood, two for McKinley, as well as goals from McAninch and Vonk sealed a comfortable victory for the hosts.
Head coach Chris Geddes said, “We’re delighted to win our first BUCS game at home, we always want to get off to a good start, especially playing the team who beat us in the final last year”.
“The boys got goals which is a good confidence booster, especially after a few defeats we’ve had recently, so hopefully we can take that into the league game on Saturday”.
After a back and forth opening fifteen minutes, the Uni opened the scoring after Durham keeper Reuben Bull came out and misjudged the ball, allowing Maciver Redwood to pounce, scoring off balance into the bottom right corner.
The Uni would double their lead just a few minutes later. A ball was whipped in from the left, and McKinley arrived at the back post, his strike hitting off the post and in.
Durham would get a chance to get themselves back in the game shortly after. Captain Jack Gibbons slotted his penalty for the away side after a foul from Stirling Uni skipper Marcus Lavery.
McAninch restored the Uni’s two goal advantage after some nice play on the left hand side, taking on two defenders and curling one into the top right corner.
Towards the end of the first half, McKinley made it a brace for himself after he was slipped in behind the defence, and made no mistake as his low shot blasted past the keeper.
The home side continued their intensity in the second half.
Early in the half, a corner was whipped in from the left by James Russell, finding the head of Maciver Redwood for five.
It was a carbon copy goal for the Uni’s sixth of the afternoon as Russell found Maciver Redwood once again from the corner, helping the striker to complete his hat trick.
Substitute Thomas Vonk would also get in on the act. A ball was whipped in from the right, and the attacker’s powerful volley was too much for the keeper as it went through his gloves and found the back of the net.
Durham would get a chance for a late consolation with another penalty, however Stirling keeper Maxwell Davila got down low to make a great stop.
The University will hope to carry over their goal scoring confidence into the league, visiting Broomhill FC this Saturday. Kick off is at 3pm at Dumbarton Stadium.
Featured image credit: Jonathan Boomer Photography