The University of Stirling men’s first team advanced into the 3rd round of the South Challenge Cup, beating Thorniewood United 4-1 in bizarre circumstances at Thorniewood Park.
A brace for Finn Moffett and goals from Alex Jeanes and Ciaran McAninch were enough to secure victory against The Wood, who faced a disastrous afternoon from the first whistle with no available goalkeeper.
Head Coach Chris Geddes said: “I feel sorry for David and his staff there, the goalie got injured in the warmup then the manager gets sent off so we took advantage of that.”
“It was a difficult pitch but our quality shone through, especially with a couple of the goals.”
With goalkeeper Craig Murdoch injured in the warmup, Thorniewood manager David Gormley put on the gloves and started the game in goal for his team.
The Uni were able to capitalise on this after 13 minutes as Alex Jeanes found space on the right side, he drifted into the final third and, after a one-two, slotted the ball into the left corner for his first Uni goal.
Just as the task seemed impossible for the hosts, their chances were harmed even more when Gormley was sent off for handling the ball outside the box. Fullback Alistair Miller would step up and finish the game in goal.
Stirling would dictate the tempo of the match for the rest of the first half but had to wait until the second to add to their lead. After Cameron Mckinley was bundled over in the box, McAninch fired into the top corner from the spot to double the visitor’s lead.
The second goal allowed Geddes to give some valuable minutes to those on the bench. Buran Mirzasalimov looked bright when introduced but two excellent tackles stopped him from adding to the lead.
Another substitute, Finn Moffett, made his return from a long-term injury and had two goals within five minutes of entering the field. After tapping in from close range for his first, Moffett added a second from a similar area after being played in by Abel Manomey.
Thorniewood’s nightmare afternoon was offered a consolation with three minutes to go as The Uni failed to defend a cross into the box, allowing Conor Morgan to fire in past a helpless Yan Gromov Godik.
This consolation was the final act of what was an incredibly unconventional cup tie. Stirling will now face Johnstone Burgh for a place in the 4th round.
University of Stirling: Gromov Godik, Heal (Mirzasalimov 62), Jeanes, Service, Morris, Russell, Woloszyn, Docherty, McKinley (Manomey 62), McAninch (Lavery 76), Malcolm (Moffett 76)