University triumphs in Aberdeen

Oct 24 2008 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Friday

Robert Gordon University0

Stirling University3

THE University of Stirling made it two wins in a row in the Queens Park Shield with a comfortable victory in Aberdeen.

Goals from Ryan Topp, Nick Anderson and Creag Robertson marked an impressive away outing for Michael Jolley’s side.

Playing on an artificial surface, it was the Stirling students who imposed themselves early on the game, starting from the fifth minute when Neil Shave cut inside from the left and forced a decent save.

As the game settled, the difference in quality between the sides was obvious with all the football being played in the RGU half.

But for all the possession Stirling had, genuine chances were few and far between. Euan Black saw a shot deflected wide on 25 minutes as the Aberdeen side sat in, inviting the Stirling side to break them down.

And although the sides went in level at the break, the one-sided nature of the game suggested it was a matter of when, rather than if, Stirling would score.

Immediately after half time, Topp fired an inviting low cross from the right wing, but Steve McFayden’s back post shot glanced over when he looked certain to score.

McFayden need not have worried as on 55 minutes Stirling broke the deadlock. He combined brilliantly with Shave and the latter’s cut-back was expertly drilled in by Topp from the edge of the area.

The goal was a dagger to the heart for RGU who looked intent on holding out for a draw. However the inevitable happened after 65 minutes when the visitors went two goals in front.

After a mini-scramble inside the RGU box the ball broke to Nick Anderson and he smashed an unstoppable 20-yard half-volley into the top corner.

The game effectively acted as a training exercise for the Stirling players who passed their way around the helpless RGU players.

Ten minutes from time Robertson got on the end of a Lee Nicholl ball and slipped the ball past the keeper for goal number three.

Black could have added a fourth at the death, when he was played in by Jason Bolam, but he couldn’t keep his lob under the crossbar.

The result was never in doubt, but it was an exceptional performance by Stirling who will be extremely pleased with the clean sheet.

Stirling University: McCulloch, McCullagh (Nicholl 74), N Anderson, Milne (c), Robertson, Topp, G Anderson, Black, Shave, Mooney (Bolam 78), McFayden (Forbes 78). Unused sub: Jolley