Students on track for title push

OPEN GOAL BROOMHILL ............. 0 STIRLING UNIVERSITY ............... 2

A goal either side of half-time from Ben Maciver-redwood and James Stokes earned the University of Stirling a fifth consecutive win on Saturday and keeps them firmly in the Lowland League title hunt.

The students’2-0 win over Open Goal Broomhill gave them a first clean sheet in seven games, but equally as impressive was the fluidity of the attacking football on display.

On another day, it might have been a wider margin of victory, but the three points take the Uni up to third in the Lowland League table – two points adrift of second placed Spartans and four points behind Rangers B.

University boss Chris Geddes was delighted with his skipper’s midfield partners too, as‘unsung hero’james Russell quietly went about his business while Jason Jarvis linked defence with the attack.

And, Jarvis was almost the catalyst for an early Stirling goal. He set Cammy Mckinley down the left for a two against-one with Russell waiting in the centre but for the cross to be cut out.

For all the chances the Uni created, a goal was deserved, and Ben Maciver-redwood was rewarded for his relentless hold-up play.

Berry combined neatly with Jarvis before crossing right onto Maciver-redwood’s head, and the striker nodded home a 16th goal of the season.

The hosts’only real spell of possession came just after the restart, and Evan Maley had two great chances to find an equaliser.

On 55 minutes, the forward had an effort tipped over by Ben Fry following a swift counterattack before sliding a shot wide from close range a few minutes later.

But, on the hour mark, Stirling sealed a well-worked move to grab a nerve-settling second goal.

After driving through midfield, Mckinley found his strike partner, who teed up Stokes on the overlap for his 10th goal in all competitions, and a ninth Lowland League goal this season.

At this point, Stirling could’ve put Simon Ferry’s side to the sword, but despite passing up chances late on, it would be a comfortable league double over Open Goal Broomhill.

Open Goal Broomhill – Wilson, Grant, Broadfoot, Mcdonald (Tierney 46), Fraser, J. Semple, Watson (Mccaw 69), Maley (Gemmell 69), Conroy, Moy, K. Semple (Mclaughlin 28).

University of Stirling – Fry, Service, Burrows, Gilmour (Munro 91), Berry, Heal, Russell, Jarvis (Mcgill 80), Stokes, Maciverredwood (Mcaninch 70), Mckinley (Rae 80).