The University of Stirling men’s first team continued their impressive Lowland League form, beating East Stirlingshire 1-0 at Forthbank.
An early Cameron McKinley goal was enough for The Uni, who had plenty of chances to add to the lead in the game.
Head Coach Chris Geddes said: “It probably should’ve been more comfortable but job done, three points and a really good performance so I’m happy.”
“The Shire have good players so they’re always in it and there were a few scares, but I thought we defended well and fully deserved the win.”
The Uni came out firing and had multiple opportunities to score in the opening minutes. Ciaran McAninch had a shot tipped onto the bar then James Russell saw his strike deflected for a corner.
From the resulting corner, an initial header was saved at the near post but McKinley was on hand to net his 17th goal of the season.
Continuous pressure on the Shire defence gave The Uni enough chances to strengthen their grip on the game in the opening 20 minutes. Finn Moffett beat his man and burst into the box, but chose to shoot rather than squaring to McAninch.
The two did combine two minutes later, with Moffett attempting to chip the ball to McAninch in the box but the ball ran agonisingly away from him.
East Stirlingshire began assert themselves and had their best chance on 25 minutes. A cross from the right found Luke Rankin but his looping header went over.
It proved to be the visitors only chance of the half as The Uni piled on the pressure at the end of the half. First, James Stokes hit the post from inside the box, then McKinley dragged just wide after driving into the box from the right.
The Shire gained control of the match at the start of the second half. A dangerous delivery from the right flashed across the Uni goal, seemingly being blocked by their own player before bouncing clear.
Jack Hodge then found space 30 yards out, but his powerful strike was always rising and sailed safely over Yan Gromov Godik’s goal.
The Uni’s best chances of the half came from mistakes in the Shire defence. A pass out from goalkeeper Jordan Pettigrew only found McKinley, but his pass across to Moffett left too much for the striker to do.
McKinley was involved again five minutes later, connecting with a cross from Marcus Lavery but missing the target from close range.
Another error at the back saw Ben Heal break into the box but he was off balance and couldn’t connect with his strike, sailing wide of the target.
The Shire threw all they had at the hosts but resolute defending saw The Uni safely home for a deserved three points. Now up to sixth in the table, they will next face fourth place Tranent on the 18th December.
The full match gallery can be viewed on the George Vekic photography website.
University of Stirling: Gromov Godik, Lavery, Service, Jeanes (Morris 76), Heal, Scally (Aslanoglu 65), Russell, McAninch (DeZoeten 76), Stokes, McKinley (Vonk 76), Moffett (Docherty 65)