University of Stirling 2
Broxburn Athletic 1
University of Stirling managed to secure their first victory at home in the league this season as they battled off a strong Broxburn Athletic side to take all three points.
The uni got off to a strong start as Finn Moffett managed to get away from the Broxburn defender, putting a dangerous cross into the box but no one was on the receiving end.
The students thought they had sealed their first goal only minutes in after Thomas Vonk’s cross found the feet of Sam Martin, who scuffed it towards goal, but it hit the post and went out for a goal kick.
Broxburn then had a break and sent a powerful shot towards goal but goalkeeper, Adam Buttigieg, made a great save and held onto the ball.

The uni found themselves with a freekick, which floated into the box, but Broxburn headed it out for the corner.
The corner was punched away by the Broxburn keeper, the ball found the feet of Jack Hodge, who fired it towards goal, but it just drifted over the bar, as the students were still waiting to break the deadlock.
Broxburn were trying their best to get the scoring underway as they made their way towards goal, however they were unsuccessful at reaching the box as the referee awarded the uni with a freekick after the Broxburn player grappled with his defender.
It was end-to-end play as Euan Walker cut in and had a clear chance at goal but hit it straight towards the keeper, before Broxburn got the ball in the box, but their shot just went wide.
The fiery game saw no goals heading into half time.
A flurry of Broxburn attacks in the opening minutes of the second half kept Buttigieg busy but the Uni had a good go through Moffett, who headed it in the direction of goal, but it was picked up by the Broxburn keeper.
It seemed a goal for Broxburn was inevitable as they continued to press the uni. The visitors got a freekick on the edge of the box but the ball hit off the wall as Hodge went down with a head knock after taking the brunt of the force.
Isa Aslanoglu had a number of crosses to defend, as Broxburn tried to wear the home team down, with the uni bringing on fresh feet to try and turn the tide, Liam Trotter came on for Martin just passed the hour mark.
That is when Hodge received the ball from a low cross and smashed it into the back of the net as the uni took the lead 63 minutes into play.

Vonk had the chance to make it two as he found himself one on one with the keeper, but the keeper made himself big and blocked the shot as the ball went out for a throw in.
The second did come though, as Vonk made it 2-0 in the 66th minute as a scramble in the box saw the ball land at the feet of the striker who fired it towards the goal and straight past the keeper.

The uni had to stay focused for the last 20 minutes, but Broxburn did get their break in the 78th minute with a header into the back of the net, closing down on the uni’s advantage.
Heading into injury time, Broxburn looked hungry for their second goal as a close call saw the ball hit the underside of the cross bar, but it didn’t cross the line.
The uni was unlucky to get a third as a big hand from the Broxburn keeper denies the goals, as Jay Burns picked up on the rebound to have one more go at goal, but it was hit right at the keeper.
Broxburn weren’t done as they had a couple of corners, before the last one was cleared from the box and the referee finally blew the whistle.
Speaking at full-time, University of Stirling Head Coach Chris Geddes, said: “I’m really happy obviously, we won, beating a team who were flying high and near the top of the league.
“I thought we played really well at times, and I thought we deserved the win in my opinion.
“They had some good opportunities in the last ten minutes, but I think we were better on the ball, and we had some good chances.
“You always want to go into a break like this with a win, it’s a good feeling and you can relax.
“The boys deserve it.”
Goal scorer, Thomas Vonk, commented on getting his first start of the season, he said: “To get a goal today is great.
“I’ve set a really good standard for myself now to push on for the rest of the season.
“We’ve got loads of competitions, so we just have to keep this going and I am really feeling fit so bring on the season.”
Featured Image Credit: George Vekic