Match report

University of Stirling 0 – 4 Bonnyrigg Rose
Football Nation Qualifying Cup
Tuesday 12 November

The University of Stirling are out of the Football Nation Qualifying Cup after conceding four goals without reply to Bonnyrigg Rose.

The students – suffering from a number of injuries and suspensions – struggled to get a foothold in the second round encounter under the floodlights of Forthbank on Tuesday night.

Bonnyrigg attacked from the first whistle and forward George Hunter had the ball in the net after just three minutes – but the goal was disallowed for offside. Stirling responded immediately and Jamie Penker had an opportunity – but was only able to shoot over.

The Midlothian side took the lead on 17 minutes when Ross Gray and Hunter linked up before playing in Lee Currie, who guided a left-footed shot into the far bottom corner, beyond Andy Downie in the Stirling goal.

Downie pulled off good saves from Jonathan Brown and then Hunter, before shouts for a Stirling penalty, following a tackle on Calum Heath, were waved away by the referee.

After going in 1-0 down at the break, Stirling began the second half with a spell of possession – but the visitors doubled their advantage on 52 minutes when Brown crossed for Hunter, who headed home from close range.

Thomas Cowley had the University’s best chance of the game on 68 minutes when he jinked the ball over the head of a Bonnyrigg defender before volleying over the bar.

Downie pulled off a number of further good saves to deny Bonnyrigg – but was unable to keep out the third from Jamie Docherty on 80 minutes and then the fourth on 89 minutes as Hunter added his second.

The University will return to Lowland League action this Sunday when they take on East Stirlingshire at Forthbank. Kick-off is 3pm.

University of Stirling: A. Downie, Thompson, Burrows (Baird, 63’), Quigley (Webb, 37’), C. Downie, Cowley, Brown, Doan (McMaster 59’), Penker, Jarvis, Heath.