Strong second half gives Stirling win

Oct 17 2008 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Friday

STIRLING UNI 4

HERIOT-WATT UNI 1

THE university were under pressure to perform in the inter-university Queens Park Shield after losing their first match to Edinburgh two weeks ago.

And perform they did, with a convincing victory.

Stirling did not have it their way however, going in at half-time with the score at 1-1 before producing a penetrative second-half performance.

The broke the deadlock after 18 minutes. Calum Forbes slid a through ball for striker Steve McFayden, who confidently drilled past the keeper from just inside the area.

This may have been a catalyst for more Stirling pressure but Heriot-Watt fought back, twice forcing saves from Thomas McCulloch.

Stirling were unlucky not to double their advantage after 35 minutes, when Creag Robertson crossed for centre half Nic Anderson but he saw his header sail just over the bar.

Moments of hesitancy were causing Stirling problems and Heriot-Watt pressure climaxed with a goal two minutes before the break. Slack marking saw their right-back cross, finding a striker in acres of space at the back post to head home.

Not for the first time this season, Michael Jolley’s side produced a second-half display which showed conviction.

Lee Nicholl, on the right side of midfield, produced a number of lung-busting runs and the former Falkirk man put his side ahead just after the hour mark. After beating one man he drilled a low shot from 18 yards which caught the Watt keeper out.

After 70 minutes Jason Bolam’s quick feet in the box won his side a penalty as he was taken out by a late challenge. Forbes converted the penalty to make the score 3-1.

Stirling won another penalty only six minutes later when substitute Ryan Topp was bundled over in the box. This time Robertson stepped up and slotted home from the spot.

Topp flashed a shot across the goal mouth and later Stuart Mooney came within inches of adding a fifth.

The result pleased Michael Jolley, who said: “The second-half performance was brilliant and we showed we can play with different formations.

“I don’t like singling out players because we had a number of good performers today but Lee Nicholl was fantastic for us today and he was inspirational.”

Next Wednesday Stirling travel to Aberdeen to play Robert Gordon University but before then the students return to the East of Scotland set-up to face Craigroyston in the third round of the SFA South Regional Cup.

STIRLING UNIVERSITY: McCulloch, McCullagh, N Anderson, Milne, Robertson, Nicholl, G Anderson, Forbes, Shave (McKee 70), McFayden (Mooney 62), Bolam (Topp 74). Unused sub: Collins.