Depleted students go out of cup at Kelty

KELTY HEARTS ....................................... 2 STIRLING UNIVERSITY ......................... 0

Stirling University went out of the South Challenge Cup on Saturday after losing two late goals to Lowland League leaders Kelty Hearts.

The students went into the game as underdogs and a heavily depleted side only added to the difficulty of the tie.

With seven players injured and two suspended , coach Chris Geddes was forced to name three under 20 players in the squad including 17 year-old Jamie Thompson at right back.

Despite this, Geddes was pleased with the efforts of his side.

He said:“I thought our shape and the way we played was very good; we had a couple of opportunities and we could have maybe nicked it.

“Although we lost, I felt it was a positive performance from the boys.”

They almost took the lead on 37 minutes when defender Matty Burrows latched on to a loose ball in the Kelty box – but his volley from 12 yards was just wide of Ben Mackenzie’s post.

But it was the home team that looked the most dangerous with Stirling goalkeeper Kevin Walker in fine form.

Kelty won a penalty eight minutes into the second half after Nathan Austin was fouled but Dylan Easton’s effort was well saved by Walker.

Minutes later, a shot from Kelty’s Chris Dodd beat Walker, only to ricochet off the post. off the unwitting keeper and out for a corner.

Stirling had an excellent opportunity to take the lead on the hour mark when Jason Jarvis picked up a loose clearance from out-of-position Mackenzie – but the goalkeeper recovered to save the midfielder’s effort from 30 yards.

It took until the 81st minute for Kelty to break the deadlock. Walker did well to save Austin’s shot but couldn’t keep out Cammy Russell’s rebound from close range.

The Fifers sealed the win five minutes later. As Stirling pushed for a late equaliser, Stephen Husband back heeled the ball into the path of Easton who netted.

The University are in action on Sunday at Forthbank against East Stirlingshire in the Lowland League.