Mcgaleis students’ goalhero
CALEDONIAN BRAVES ..... 2 STIRLING UNIVERSITY ..... 3
Stirling University got back to winning ways against Caledonian Braves at Alliance Park on Saturday.
The Braves struck first after just 14 minutes but goals from Jason Jarvis and then on-form striker Jamie Penker gave the students the lead going into the break.
Stirling goalkeeper Ben Fry was caught out by a speculative long-range effort from former Stirling Albion striker Neil Mclaughlin just after the break - but Robbie Mcgale sealed all three points for Stirling in the closing stages.
Head coach Chris Geddes said afterwards: “I’m delighted with the win we’ve had a difficult run of results lately, coming off three consecutive losses which were all really tight games. Caledonian Braves threw everything at us today and I am really proud of the boys.
“The difference for us this season is goals. Last year, for instance, we came here and played really well but got beat 3-0 because we didn’t take our chances.”
The University travelled to Alliance Park looking to end their poor run of results against a Caledonian Braves side who were also low in confidence, having been thrashed 5-0 by Gretna 2008 in their previous match.
It was the home side who struck first with forward Jack Smith slotting home after a tidy one-two through the middle of the park. However, the students replied almost immediately. After linking up with Callum Downie on the left, full-back Marcus Lavery delivered a cross which found Jarvis and he bundled the ball past goalkeeper Yohann Chardon.
After 30 minutes, Stirling added their second after a pass from Matthew Burrows allowed Mcgale space on the right side. He drilled in a low cross and Penker capitalised to give Stirling the advantage going into the break.
However, the visitors’ lead was short-lived, as the hosts scored an equaliser just two minutes after the restart when ex-bino Mclaughlin launched an ambitious 40yard effort, which caught Fry absent from his line and the ball hit the net.
With just 10 minutes left of the contest, the winning goal came for the students. when Mcgale neatly finished low into the bottom corner.
Stirling return to Lowland League action against Bo’ness United on Tuesday, November 24 at Forthbank Stadium. Keep up-to-date with news, fixtures and results at : stirlingunifc.stir.ac.uk