Under 19s earn draw

Jan 16 2009 by Donald Morton, Stirling Observer Friday

LAST weekend’s blustery, wet conditions saw one fixture from the Stirling Albion youth programme cancelled when the proposed friendly game for the under 15s against Falkirk FC fell foul to the weather.

They will meet on Sunday at Forthbank at 12.15pm in a re-arranged game.

Three matches did however take place with pleasing results and performances the outcome.

Into injury time against a decent Ayr United team who sit third top of the SFL Irn Bru Youth Under 19 Division, it looked as if the Stirling Albion team would come away with nothing to show for a good performance.

That was until centre back Willie Whitford popped up in the stoppage time to ram home a deserved equaliser. Mark Miller and Mike McAdam worked an opening on the wide left and when Ayr United failed to clear the cross it was Whiteford who pounced to gain the 1-1 draw and reward the team for going right to the end.

Stirling had settled best after a scrappy start in difficult conditions and they were playing some fine football. However it was Ayr who notched the game's first goal with a well struck wind aided shot from the edge of the box by Aaron Scoular. McAdam almost responded for the Binos with the first attack which saw him one on one with the keeper. His low shot beat the keeper but hit the post.

In the second period Stirling made a numer of chances although keeper Daniel Cawley made a great save to keep the scoreline at 1-1. Johnnie Boyle, who was looking very good in his creative play, finished poorly on two occasions to miss good scoring chances.

Dave Binne and Graeme Donald made positive substitutions introducing Johnnie Chalk and Robbie Hurst but it did not look like Stirling would gain any reward for their excellent play until Whiteford struck with almost the last kick of the game.

The next game for the under 19s is away to Alloa on Sunday with an 11am kick off at Recreation Park. With a fully fit squad, competition for a place in the team is tough and all the players are looking forward to the derby match against Alloa.

The game that took place earlier in the day at Forthbank astro was played in even worse conditions but the Under 17 team showed good resolve in beating Montrose in their Irn Bru u 17 SFL Youth Division game. With the wind in their favour Stirling opened the scoring with a well struck shot from Craig Stewart. This rounded off a good breakaway move which saw the visiting keeper make a save and a defender clear off the line before eventually Stewart fired home.

Darren Dolan made a spectacular save high to his left from a long range effort to keep Stirling in front but eventually the Angus side grabbed an equaliser with an inswinging corner which was scrambled over the line.

Moments later however Stirling regained the lead when Gary Morrison chased a Stewart through ball and pressured the defender into losing possession. His shot was parried out but fellow striker Erik Doig was on hand to knock in the loose ball to restore the home team's lead.

The win sees Stirling maintain their top six position in a very competitive 17 team league. Next week they visit Clyde.

Last Friday the under 13s defeated Riverside BC 4-0 in a friendly with goals from Scott McLay, Thomas Lowe (2) and Alex Cleland and they will play another friendly against a side from Drumchapel at 2.15pm on Sunday at Forthbank. The only disappointment from Friday was the unfortunate injury to Keiron Campbell whose broken bone in his foot will see him out of action for a number of weeks.