Students give it their all in historic clash
Committed Uni players pushterrors all the way
DUNDEE UNITED ............................. 3 UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING ............. 0
The University of Stirling’s historic cup run may have come to an end, but the Lowland League outfit deserved praise following defeat away to top-flight Dundee United on Saturday.
In a week that included an away trip to Durham to seal the BUCS Premier North title for the third year in a row, it’s perhaps strange to say this was their greatest performance yet.
University head coach, Chris Geddes, was beaming with pride from his side’s showing at Tannadice – despite sliding to defeat.
The students put up a valiant effort as they fought tooth and nail against the Terrors – who fielded a line-up that included ex-scotland internationals Steven Fletcher and Charlie Mulgrew, and Australian World Cup star Aziz Behich.
If the opportunity of a great Scottish Cup upset wasn’t enough motivation for the players, messages from Sir Alex Ferguson, Craig Brown, Lilian Thuram and Neil Warnock would make any underdog believe they had a chance – however slim.
The students were backed by a rowdy away support of more than 1,000 – made up of family, friends, alumni and even University Principal Sir Gerry Mccormac.
The first chance of the game fell the students’ way. The ball fell to Jason Jarvis with the midfielder forcing Mark Birighitti into a low save at his near post.
The students limited Dundee United to very few chances in the first half, with Charlie Mulgrew’s headed effort cleared from the line proving to be their only shot on target until the 44th minute.
The home side controlled possession, but the Uni caused them trouble on the break. James Stokes had a shout for a penalty when it appeared he was shoved to the ground by Aziz Behich, but the ref was unmoved.
The students’ hopes were dealt a blow right on the brink of half time when former Hibs, Wolves, Sunderland and Marseille striker Steven Fletcher headed the ball back across the box and Aziz Behich turned and slammed it into the roof of the net.
In the second half, a driving run from Ben Heal resulting in a shot proved to be the student’s best chance.
The home side scored their second on minute 65 when a deflected cross sat up well for Jamie Mcgrath who met the ball with a brilliant bicycle kick past Fry in the University goal.
United added a third through Glenn Middleton with 10 minutes left to play to put the match out of sight for the students.
For the players at the University of Stirling it was a day they will not forget in a hurry, helped by the fact the United players were more than willing to give them their shirts at full-time.
A fitting memento for the players who took part in the University of Stirling’s greatest game.
Dundee United – Birighitti, Smith, Mulgrew, Graham, Fletcher (Cudjoe 73’), Sibbald (Harkes 82’), Behich, Mcgrath (Pawlett 68’), Levitt, Freeman (Niskanen 73’), Macleod (Middleton 68’).
University of Stirling – Fry, Gilmour, Service, Lavery, Berry (Aslanoglu 79’), Heal, Jarvis (Russell 70’), Stokes (Munro 87’), Mckinley (Rae 72’), Maciver-redwood, Mcgill (Mcaninch 70’).