Heriot Watt University 2–0 University of Stirling, Queen’s Park Shield final

University of Stirling relinquished the Queen’s Park Shield to old foes Heriot-Watt after a first-half double sucker punch.

It was the third year in a row that Heriot-Watt and the University of Stirling had faced off in this fixture, with both sides winning one apiece. Stirling were defending champions from last year, and were looking to retain their title on the same pitch.

And yet for all their dominance in possession throughout the 90 minutes, Stirling couldn’t make their chances count on a blustery day at the Oriam in Edinburgh.

Pictured: McAninch skips past a Heriot-Watt challenge

The Students started hard and fast with Heal, Russell and Scally stoking fires in the engine room – it seemed a matter of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’ Stirling would score, with Maciver-Redwood looking spritely.

But despite camping in the Heriot-Watt half for the opening period, Stirling were instead hit on the counter.

Goalkeeper Max Davila was unlucky to see a speculative shot from the Heriot Watt forward sail over his head and into the far corner at the 19-minute mark, the result of a quick break up the park.

And Davila was beaten again with 30 minutes gone, a superb Heriot-Watt free kick sneaking in low and hard past the post from nearly 35 yards – which was perhaps assisted by the breeze.

Stirling head coach Geddes sat his team down on the pitch at half-time, channelling Phil Brown, but his gentle words of encouragement were not enough to break down a stubborn Heriot-Watt defence.

Within minutes of the restart, Heriot-Watt found themselves a player down following a red card for a shocking tackle on Stirling captain Marcus Lavery.

Pictured: Stokes et al couldn’t break down a stubborn Heriot-Watt defence

Stokes and McAninch were making nuisances of themselves down the wings and peppering the Heriot-Watt box with crosses, but Stirling just couldn’t find the target.

Despite throwing everything at Heriot-Watt in the second half, the University of Stirling couldn’t make their numerical advantage count, and it was the men from Edinburgh who walked off as Queen’s Park Shield champions.

Match photography

Match photography: https://georgevekicphotography.pixieset.com/stirlingvheriotwattqpsfinal/

Lineup

University of Stirling: Davila, Lavery, Service, Aslanoglu, Jeanes, Heal, Russell, Scally, McAninch, Stokes, Maciver-Redwood

Subs used: McKinley, Woloszyn, Morris, Vonk, Docherty