The University of Stirling men’s first team have progressed to the next round of the Lowland League Cup, beating Cowdenbeath 4-2 at Forthbank.
Goals from Jake Service, Ben Heal, Ben Maciver-Redwood and Cameron McKinley were enough to see off the visitors, with the weather being a constant challenge throughout.
Head Coach Chris Geddes said: “The conditions were tough for both teams, but four good goals and a win was great.
“We were a little disappointed to go in at halftime still level, but it was a really tough game so we’ll take it in the end.”
The driving rain made the pitch slick from the first whistle, allowing Cowdenbeath to move the ball around at pace early on.
A clever move saw Yan Gromov Godik tip a shot out for a corner, which was recycled out to Aiden McLaughlin who curled into the far corner to give the visitors an early lead.
Cowdenbeath continued to press and had chances to add to their lead on 17 minutes. Good play down the right side saw the ball cut back to Jamie Docherty, whose shot was bravely blocked by Alex Jeanes.
Geddes recognised his side was struggling to gain control of the match and tweaked the formation. This had an immediate impact as Ciaran McAninch found Service from a corner who powered home an equaliser.
The Uni began to dominate the game and had two goals disallowed before halftime. First, Maciver-Redwood headed home but was adjudged to be offside, then McKinley slotted home but Jeanes had run the ball out of play in the buildup.
Stirling would only have to wait four minutes in the second half to take the lead. McKinley turned well and played McAninch through centrally, he then played the ball across to Heal who finished well.
The second half went from bad to worse for Cowdenbeath as just two minutes later they were reduced to ten men. Andy Rodden flew into a tackle on Heal on the halfway line, leaving the referee with no choice but to dismiss him.
McKinley was again involved as The Uni added a third goal. He controlled a pass from Marcus Lavery and brilliantly slipped in Maciver-Redwood to finish.
Three quickly became four on the hour mark as a mix-up at the back saw McKinley get his deserved goal, tapping in from close range.
Cowdenbeath struggled to regain control of the game but did manage to pull a goal back with 15 minutes to play. A deep cross from the right was headed in by Ewan Macpherson to give the visitors a glimmer of hope.
The visitors were offered more hope with five minutes to play as Stirling substitute Ben Woloszyn was sent off for a second yellow card, but The Uni defence remained strong to book their place in the next round of the tournament.
Stirling will now turn their attention to BUCS when they host Herriot Watt on Wednesday.
University of Stirling: Gromov Godik, Lavery, Service, Jeanes, Morris, Scally (De Zoeten 64), Russell (Torregiani 64), Heal, McAninch, Maciver-Redwood (Woloszyn 69), McKinley (Vonk 69)