University of Stirling 1
East Stirlingshire 1
The University of Stirling have finished their 2024/25 season with a draw at home to East Stirlingshire.
The students opened the scoring when they were awarded a penalty in the 11th minute after Thomas Vonk was fouled in the box.
Jack Hodge stepped up to the spot and sent the ball along the ground into the bottom left corner.
The uni had another few good chances, but they couldn’t double their lead.
East Stirlingshire managed to get the equaliser before half-time as they managed to get the ball up the park in the 37th minute, firing it into the back of the net.
The uni was desperate to get their lead back as they gave it all they could to pose a threat in the visitors’ box, but they couldn’t get anything before the half-time whistle despite dominating the half.
Heading into the second half, East Stirlingshire looked strong as they had a close chance 15 minutes in, but the shot just went high.
A corner for the uni looked promising as the visitors couldn’t clear the danger, but the next cross just drifted wide.
It was end-to-end football for the remaining minutes. Both teams coming close to goal but not being able to take anything from their chances.
The uni remained in control of the game, but the full-time whistle went as they settled for the point.
Speaking on the season finale, Head Coach, Chris Geddes, said: “You want to end the season on a win.
“On another day we might have got it, but the Shire were dangerous on the counter as well, but we played some good stuff.
“The boys have got a good bit of time off now to recover and they deserve a break after a full-on season.
Reflecting on the season, Geddes comments: “It has been an up and down season, but we won a trophy, and we have got boys graduating that other clubs are interested in.
“We also have had a lot of first years come in and play for us, so there are a lot of positives to take from the season.
“Some people might just focus on the results, but that’s not how we look at it. Yes, we stayed up, but we also gave these young lads a great opportunity at a great level of football.
“The quality hasn’t been great at times, but the work rate and the desire, the energy and the fitness levels have been excellent, so they’re a credit to themselves and the university.”
Four boys make way from the current squad as they finish their studies, as Sebastian Cassar Torregiani, Ben Woloszyn, Isa Aslanoglu and Jake Service played their final minutes for the team.
Geddes said: “It’s always a bit emotional, I’ve worked with these four for four years and probably seen them more than their parents, so I wish them all the best in whatever they do next.”
Image credits: George Vekic