Dunblane edge it in shoot-out

Riverside Athletic .............. 1 Dunblane United ............... 1

A penalty kick shoot-out separated the local rivals in a pulsating Under 15 FVFDA Challenge Cup semi-final at Ochilview at the weekend.

In a closely contested first half, it was Dunblane who had the majority of the possession and they took the lead through striker Louie Beausang put them ahead on the half hour.

Athletic started the second half well and deservedly equalised when Garry Laird set up Adam Sharp to shoot past the keeper.

For periods of the second half, Riverside played the better football and created some good opportunities but United also had their chances which they were unlucky not to convert.

With no extra time it was straight to penalties - and there were goals, misses and saves in a heart-stopping shoot-out but it was Dunblane who came out on top by 4-3.

Budget Auto Centre Man of the Match goes to the entire Riverside squad for the way they applied themselves against last season’s league champions.

Riverside Athletic .............. 5 Stirling City ....................... 2

Riverside came from behind to defeat rivals Stirling City in a must-win Shield group match.

It was the visitors who scored the only goal of the first half but in the opening minute of the second period, Garry Laird equalised. Adam Sharp made it 2-1 only for City to hit back.

The game was tight for the next 15 minutes before two goals from Sharp gave him his hat-trick and one from Harry Thomson clinched the win.

Adam Sharp pipped Danny McDade and Harry Thomson to the Budget Auto Centre Man of the Match for his hat-trick.