Match report

Cumbernauld Colts 1 – 2 University of Stirling
Broadwood Stadium, 13/10/20, 8pm
Lowland League

University of Stirling took all three points on their midweek trip to Cumbernauld – seeing off the Colts 2-1.

The students took the lead on the stroke of half time thanks to a Conor Doan penalty, before Jamie Penker put away a second midway through the second half.

Stirling captain Craig Brown saw red after picking up a second yellow card and Colts worked their way back into the game – scoring with seven minutes left on the clock. However, the students defended resolutely, taking all three points.

Head Coach Chris Geddes said: “We’re delighted with the win – taking three points away from home against a really good, well coached, Cumbernauld side is a very good result.

“I think we were a bit fortunate with the penalty – the ball has hit the defender’s hand and it looked as if it was heading for goal. Sometimes they go for you, and sometimes they don’t. Conor put the spot kick away really well.

“Jamie then popped up with a really good goal too. Jason Jarvis whipped it in from the short corner and Jamie’s got a great touch on it at the front post.”

Footage of the goals and reaction from Chris Geddes.

The students travelled to Broadwood Stadium on Tuesday evening for their second Lowland League match of the season – having lost 2-1 to East Kilbride in the opener. Both sides had chances in the well-matched first half but it was Stirling that got off the mark just before the half-time whistle.

Robbie McGale – who caused problems throughout the match for the Colts defence – worked his way into the opponents’ box and unleashed a shot towards the far post. The ball hit the hand of the Colts defender and the subsequent penalty was dispatched into the bottom right corner.

Conor Doan opened the scoring from the penalty spot.

Following the break, Martin Wright had a good chance to equalise for the home side, sending his shot just right of Ben Fry’s upright.

But, on 59 minutes, Stirling doubled their lead. Playing a short corner with Callum Downie, Jason Jarvis fired in a cross and Penker flicked it home at the front post.

Stirling continued to apply pressure but were dealt a blow on 73 minutes when Brown received his second yellow card of the match. With the students down to 10 men for the remainder, they battled hard and continued to create chances.

Luke Main scored for Colts on 83 minutes after the ball fell to him inside the area – but Stirling kept working hard. Kieran Hall had an effort on goal blocked just before Calum Heath hit the crossbar in the closing moments.

The University travel to The Spartans on Saturday high on confidence.
Geddes added: “Spartans is another big game for us, but the boys are feeling confident – this is a good start for us.”

Cumbernauld Colts: Grier, Grant, Gibson (MacPherson, 80′), Scott Davidson, O’Neill, Wright (Murray, 63′), Dickson, Main, Foy, Whitmore (Sam Davidson, 63′), Mortimer (Bonar, 89′)
Goal: Main (83′)

University of Stirling: Fry, Burrows, Quigley, Doan, Lavery, Berry, Brown, Downie (Heath, 86′), Penker (Hall, 70′), Jarvis (Davidson, 75′), McGale
Goals: Doan (43′) Penker (59′)
Red card: Brown (73′)