Penker’s hat-trick seals spot in semis
BO’NESS UNITED ........................... 2 STIRLING UNIVERSITY .................. 4
Stirling University reached the semi-finals of the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup with a fine 4-2 win at Bo’ness on Wednesday.
It looked unlikely when Bo’ness took an early lead but an impressive hat-trick from Jamie Penker inspired the students to fight back.
Head coach Chris Geddes said afterwards that he was delighted.
“We made five changes to the starting lineup so credit to the boys coming in to play against a side like Bo’ness who are flying currently and scoring lots of goals.
“In the first half they made it really difficult for us, we had to defend really well, and if they had gone 2-0 up then it would have been really difficult for us to be honest.
“The second half was brilliant though, our finishing was outstanding and we could have had more to be honest.
“I’m really proud of my players, to get to a semi-final is really impressive.”
The students traveled to Bo’ness after a bad 4-1 loss to Broomhill on Sunday saw them exit the Lowland League Cup - and they started the match as if it was weighed on their mind. The opening flurry of chances fell to the hosts at Newtown Park as they looked to take advantage of the students’ slow start.
Ryan Stevenson squandered two chances in the first five minutes for Bo’ness before the home side took the lead when Bo’ness converted the opener in the ninth minute, Kieran Mitchell nodding an effort beyond Yan Godik into the Stirling net.
The opening goal roused the students from their lethargic start as they then went on the front foot. Jason Jarvis was at the centre of Stirling’s creative efforts - first clipping in a first-class ball to Harry McArthur which was drilled at the keeper before he he set up the waiting Jamie Penker to direct in the equaliser.
Bo’ness were not willing to surrender their grip on the game so easily and Mitchell found the net once again just before the break with a quick move.
After the break, the students looked a different team. Cameron McKinlay bundled in the equaliser at the back post after a scramble then Penker put them ahead for the first time when he controlled a looping forward pass, raced towards the goal and slotted home with his left foot.
Penker would then complete his hat-trick shortly after as he leaped the highest from a corner kick, nodded home and wheeled away in excitement with his team mates.
Stirling University: Godik, McGale, Burrows, Lavery, McGill (Bainbridge,) De Zoeten (Taylor,) Stokes, Jarvis, Penker (Torregiani,) McArthur (Berry,) McKinlay (Doan).