Students hold Rose in check
STIRLING UNIVERSITY ...................... 1 BONNYRIGG ROSE ............................. 1
Stirling University grabbed a point against league contenders Bonnyrigg Rose in a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Forthbank on Wednesday evening.
Following a neat one-two on the edge of the box with Jamie Penker, midfielder Callum Downie fired the students ahead on 20 minutes with a well-hit right-foot shot from just outside the box.
However, a rare defensive slip up from Conor Doan on 39 minutes led to Rose forward George Hunter intercepting a loose back pass and rounding goalkeeper Ben Fry for a simple equaliser.
Stirling showed great resilience as the away side peppered the defensive line with long, high balls in the second half – and managed to keep their opponents out.
Head coach Chris Geddes said: “It was a really good point for the lads. Bonnyrigg are title contenders – so I’m really happy with that.”
The draw – Bonnyrigg’s first dropped points of the season – puts the University on 10 points from five games and just three points off top spot.
It comes on the heels of a convincing 4-1 win over Vale of Leithen on Saturday at Forthbank.
Striker Jamie Penker continued his rich vein of form. After just three minutes, the forward slotted home, before a terrific effort from Robbie Mcgale doubled Stirling’s lead midway through the first half.
The students added a third early in the second half through Penker before the away side pulled a goal back through Bradley Rixon moments later.
However, Vale’s potential comeback was short-lived as half time substitute Donovan Ndiweni was shown a straight red card for a two-footed challenge before Euan Baird wrapped up all three points for the home side.
Tomorrow (Saturday) Stirling travel to Edinburgh to take on Civil Service Strollers.
Stirling University: Fry, Burrows (Heath 33), Quigley, Doan, Lavery (Kennedy 66), Downie, Brown, Berry, Penker (Hall 66), Jarvis, Mcgale.
Bonnyrigg Rose: Weir, Brett, Young, Wilson, Martyniuk, Mair, Stewart (Docherty 76), Currie, Gray, Hunter (Smith 83), Mcgachie (R Gray 54)