The University of Stirling men’s football team suffered defeat to Lowland League leaders East Kilbride FC, losing a well-contested match 4-2 at K Park.
Goals from Ben Heal and Cameron McKinley saw the game level at half-time, but the host’s quality eventually shone through to secure the victory.
Head Coach Chris Geddes said: “We went toe to toe with them and didn’t sit in. We were comfortable at times but they showed their quality to get the goals in the end.”
“I said to the players at the end that they shouldn’t be disappointed, we competed well but ultimately East Kilbride showed why they are top of the league.”
The Uni showed no fear throughout the match and had the ideal start after just five minutes. Ciaran McAninch drove down the left wing and dug out a perfect cross for Heal to power home his header at the back post.
It didn’t take long for the hosts to find their equaliser through John Robertson. After a period of control in midfield, Robertson drove at the Stirling defence, chopping his way into the box to finish well past Yan Gromov Godik.
Robertson wasted no time as he added his and East Kilbride’s second three minutes later. Finding space on the left side of the box, he unleashed a powerful, low strike at goal which Gromov Godik could only palm into the net.
This quick-fire double allowed the hosts to take full control of the proceedings and search for a third goal. Robert Thomson’s strike from 18 yards produced a strong save from Gromov Godik, who was up quickly to deny Nathan Flanagan who had recovered the ball.
After defending admirably, The Uni found themselves level before the break. A long ball forward was controlled well under pressure by McKinley who cooly chipped Matthew Connolly for his 20th goal of the season.
The second half began competitively with both sides battling well and limiting each other’s space to create opportunities to take the lead.
A moment of quality was required to find space to score, which Thomson and Robertson provided on the hour mark. Thomson found space to slip Robertson through into the box and he made no mistake, slotting into the corner to complete his hat-trick.
Stirling struggled to create an opening to find an equaliser, with their best chance coming from a free kick. After McKinley was fouled on the edge of the box, McAninch’s strike was deflected off the wall and miraculously tipped around the post by a seemingly wrong-footed Connolly.
It wasn’t to be for the visitors though as East Kilbride added a fourth goal with five minutes to play. Andrew Macdonald found Thomson in the box whose one-touch finish gave Gromov Godik no chance.
There would be no comeback but The Uni had nothing to be disappointed about in what was an immense effort against a very strong side.
They will look to turn this effort into a win when they travel to League One side Kelty Hearts in the semi-final of the East of Scotland Cup on Tuesday.
University of Stirling: Gromov Godik, Morris (Stokes 64), Jeanes, Service, Lavery, Scally (DeZoeten 73), Russell (Docherty 73), McAninch, Heal (Moffett 85), Maciver-Redwood (Vonk 85), McKinley