Stirling effort ends all square

EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY ................ 4 STIRLING UNIVERSITY ...................... 4

The students had to settle for a point after an enthralling Lowland League game ended 4-4 with their rivals Edinburgh University.

Stirling struck first in the opening couple of minutes through new boy McArthur only for Edinburgh to reply ten minutes later.

This would be the pattern as Edinburgh took the lead through Baird, Spelman and Lawson. However, Stirling replied time and time again thanks to Conor Doan and a brace from Euan McGill.

Head coach Chris Geddes said:“It’s very disappointing. Credit to Edinburgh University because they took their chances when they came and defended really well at times.

“It was poor defending from both teams I think, and some nice finishes from us through Euan McGill – but when you defend like we did at times you are not going to win a game of football.

“We had enough shots at goal and enough chances to win the game – no excuses from me, but it wasn’t good enough.”

The University derby can be action packed, but this was truly an afternoon for the spectator as the game kicked off at frantic pace.

Stirling took the lead in the second minute as a shot from the left by McGill rebounded off the keeper and McArthur was there to start the scoring as he poked home from close range.

Edinburgh had a reply ten minutes later as sublime dribbling down the left led to a cross which caused a goalmouth scramble which ricocheted off almost everyone before ending up in the back of Stirling’s net.

Stirling continued to control the play, however Edinburgh looked dangerous on the break and this came to a head through Baird as he went alone with an impressive dribble and lofted it over Ben Fry in the net.

Shortly after a penalty was awarded as Calum Rae was bundled over in the box and Conor Doan converted it which would leave the teams equal at half time.

Edinburgh Uni aimed to recreate Stirling’s bright start in the first half as they produced a bit of magic in the opening minute of the period. Baird found Comrie in space on the left and he launched a wonder cross into the path of Spelman who converted an impressive glancing header inside the box.

Stirling almost instantly equalised however, with McGill’s first of the game as he fired an effort past the goalkeeper following a cross by Kennedy.

Edinburgh took the lead for the last time in the closing stages as Lawson superbly flicked the ball past Fry only for Stirling to level up the scores once again through the very impressive Euan McGill, as he converted an excellent half volley from a loose ball in the box to end the game all square.

University of Stirling – Fry, Lavery, Doan, Thompson, Berry, (de Zoeten) McGill, Davidson, McArthur, (Downie) McGale, Rae, (Stokes) Kennedy.