Doune Castle lose to Bannockburn

Nov 20 2009 by Jean Pedder, Stirling Observer Friday

BANNOCKBURN 3

DOUNE CASTLE 1

BANNOCKBURN had the Castle on the back foot in the opening exchanges. After only three minutes Bell spurned a glorious chance, hooking a Stuart Maitland corner over from eight yards out when it looked easier to score.

George Haney threatened down the right when he drove a low ball into the box. McLellan did well to clear. After 11 minutes Clark forced a shooting opportunity, just breaking clear of a strong tackle from George Haney. Scott Duncanson stood tall and cleanly gathered Clark’s shot from just inside the area.

After 14 minutes Bruce sent Maitland clear on the right. His dangerous ball across the box eluded everyone much to the relief of Doune’s rearguard.

After 21 minutes McLellan tested Scott Duncanson with a 25 yard drive. The ball edged under the diving keeper and diverted off him for a corner. Maitland took the resultant set piece. When the ball broke back to him he drilled a low ball across the goal but again there were no takers.

Bannockburn’s pressure finally paid off with the opener after 29 minutes. Maitland crossed from the right. Bell challenged and the ball dropped to Knox at the back post. He volleyed home from six yards

After 32 minutes Purdie controlled the ball on his chest and broke into the box. However, he slashed his shot wide from 16 yards. Doune were relying on breaks down either flank. Euan Cameron prompted a good move with a fine ball inside to Kevin Fotheringham. He played in George Haney who had powered down the right. Haney drove forward and tested Greig Maitland with a low strike.

After 37 minutes Scott Duncanson did well to punch over a curling free kick from Maitland.

Doune scored a fine equaliser after 43 minutes. Colin Burke cushioned Greig Maitland’s kickout into the path of Kevin Fotheringham who played it back to the striker. Burke then played a neat interchange with Graeme Deans to break clear on the right edge of the box. Burke stroked a slide rule pass across the face of the goal. Graeme Deans had continued his run and was on hand to sweep the ball into the net from eight yards.

Bannockburn had an early chance in the second half when Maitland broke clear and drove in on goal. Ian Tervitt saved the day with a brilliant sliding challenge as Maitland prepared to shoot.

The home side regained the lead after 60 minutes, taking full advantage of a defensive error. Maitland hounded Richard Smith as both players chased a long ball through the middle. Smith delayed his clearance by an instant, allowing Maitland the chance to break clear. The winger took full advantage, drawing Scott Duncanson before clipping the ball past him into the far corner to make it 2-1.

Four minutes later Alan Inglis almost produced an equaliser with a fine dipping volley on the turn after Tamas Seres had won the ball in midfield. A minute later Kevin Fotheringham turned inside two Burns defenders to set up a shooting chance. He whipped his shot across goal but it drifted wide of the far post. After 70 minutes Colin Burke headed on Robbie Hurst’s long throw but no-one was on hand to take advantage and a relieved Maitland gathered the ball.

After 79 minutes Robbie Hurst passed the ball to Colin Burke. He laid it off to Ian Tervit who sent George Haney clear down the right. Haney cut inside and fired a looping shot inches over from the far corner of the area.

Doune passed up another golden chance to equalise after 81 minutes. Colin Burke was again on the end of a long throw from Robbie Hurst. But yet again there were no takers as the ball slipped across the face of the Burn goal-line.

After 84 minutes Purdie headed over Donald’s cross from the left. Euan Cameron then dived full length to head another dangerous cross from the left safety.

After 87 minutes Bannockburn sealed their win and again Doune contributed to their own downfall. Ryan Duncanson slipped at the crucial moment as he went to intercept a long ball down the middle. Knox gathered the loose ball and played it into the path of Stuart Maitland. The in-form winger carried it forward into the box and shot over Scott Duncanson to make it 3-1