The University of Stirling football team booked their place in the Queens Park Shield final for the third time in a row, after beating Strathclyde University 2-1 in the Semis at Gannochy.
An early goal by the visitors was canceled out late by James Stokes before Ben Maciver-Redwood’s headed effort late into stoppage time made sure the Uni would get to the Oriam.
Head coach Chris Geddes said: “We fully deserved the win. We gave away a sloppy goal earlier and that gave Strathclyde something to hang on to.”
“As they got more tired the chances came but a combination of goalkeeper saves and misses didn’t help us. But we managed to get the quality when we needed it and got to the final for the third time in a row so another final is something the boys can look forward to.”
“Really proud of them all considering how many games we have played already this season.”
Early on both sides struggled to hold the ball for any longer than a couple of passes.
This suited the away side, and when the Uni were caught out on the counter, the Strathclyde striker made no mistake and slotted home despite Max Davila’s best efforts to keep it out.
Gaining plenty of confidence after his goal, their striker continued to cause the Uni problems. Two longing balls towards him turned into two chances where Davila had to be on high alert.
Cammy McKinley got his first sight of goal in the 19th minute when a shot was spilled by their keeper straight into his path. The awkward approach made it difficult for McKinley to adjust, with his shot failing to punish the keeper’s mishap.
Stirling continued to put pressure on the visitors. Jack Docherty rattled his shot off the near post after finding himself in a nice pocket of space just inside the box, while Maciver-Redwood had his shot saved by the Strathclyde keeper after cleverly dinking the ball over his defender.
It took a while for Stirling to regain control in the second half. Strathclyde were making things mucky while the Uni struggled to find that final ball despite getting into good positions.
Strathclyde’s forwards continued to ask questions of the Stirling defence, hitting two shots narrowly wide of Davila’s goal.
But Stirling soon got into rhythm again with the visitors’ resolute defending started to wane.
After a barrage of attacks from Stirling saw the ball drilled into the box again. A deflection found McAninch with the ball just outside the box with the goal in sight. His shot was stopped by a raised hand from a Strathclyde defender. An easy decision to make for the referee, as he pointed to the spot.
McAninch stepped up but failed to convert, hitting his shot over the bar. Stirling remained upbeat. Their belief was palpable.
They were finally rewarded in the 83rd minute. A lovely dinked ball from the left wing sailed over the strikers at the front post, and straight to an unmarked James Stokes who tapped it home for the equaliser. He grabbed the ball and sprinted to the halfway line, showing their intention to finish this in regulation.
And finish it they did, right at the death. After continuing pressure, a switch-off by the Strathclyde defence on a corner saw an unmarked Maciver-Redwood head home at the front post to complete the comeback and secure the team’s second cup final this season.
The final will be played on the 10th of April at the Oriam, Edinburgh. One of St Andrews or Heriot-Watt awaits in the final.
But before that, there is still plenty of Lowland League action to look forward to, as the Uni play hosts to Gala Fairydean Rovers on Saturday at Forthbank Stadium.
University of Stirling: Davila, Lavery, Laird (Woloszyn 68), Aslanoglu, Russell (Malcolm 73), McAninch, Stokes (Mirzasalimov 94), Scally (Vonk 73), McKinley, Maciver-Redwood, Docherty (Jeanes 68)
Featured Image Credit: George Vekic.
The full-picture gallery from this game can be found here.