Caledonian Braves 3 – 2 University of Stirling
University of Stirling were narrowly defeated by high-flying Caledonian Braves in the Lowland League on Tuesday night.
The students travelled to Alliance Park, Bellshill, on the back of a couple of 2-2 draws in the league. And they managed to hit the net twice again – with two stunning efforts from Ben Heal and forward Finn Moffett – but a number of defensive mistakes were punished by Braves, who emerged 3-2 victors.
The defeat leaves the University 11th out of 18 in the Lowland League after eight games – and Head Coach Chris Geddes hopes his side can bounce back against league newcomers Broxburn Athletic when they visit Forthbank on Saturday.
Reflecting on the defeat, Geddes said: “Braves have had a really good season so far and we knew it was going to be a tough game, but we are really disappointed in the manner we lost the goals, because there really wasn’t much in the match.
“We scored two really good goals ourselves, but obviously the shine was taken off those because of the loss. We think we’re better than that; that we can defend better than that.
“We have a young team, with 13 new players in the group, and it’s going to take time for it to come together. We’ve got another big game this weekend, and we should have some of our injured players back, as well as one returning from suspension.”
Forward Reg McLaren opened the scoring for Braves after 20 minutes, tapping in unmarked at the back post after Stirling goalkeeper Adam Buttigieg spilled from a corner. The hosts could have made it two just four minutes later, but with Buttigieg beaten, the ball rattled the post.
But on 27 minutes, the second goal came for the home side with Ross McNeil slotting home from close range after another error at the back.
Captain Heal dragged the students back into the game just before half-time, making it 2-1 with a fantastic solo run, smashing low past the Braves’ goalkeeper.
But just six minutes after the interval, McNeil added his second of the match – Braves’ third – after being put through one-on-one with Buttigieg.
A left-footed effort from Stirling’s Abel Manomey forced a super one-handed save from the goalkeeper on 66 minutes as the students tried to get back into the game – but it wasn’t until the 92nd minute that in-form forward Moffett made it 3-2. Substitute Dylan Brown had a chance to equalise just before the final whistle – but it was cleared off the line by the Braves defender.
University of Stirling: Buttigieg, Laird (Brown, 73), Aslanoglu, Walker (Jeanes, 73), Burns, McCafferty (Vonk, 56), Heal, Hodge, Martin, Trotter (Manomey, 63), Moffett