by Peter Lynch
Stirling University’s 6th XI took all three points in their BUCS 6B opener against Edinburgh University 5th XI with a dogged 1-0 victory.
The game incredibly kicked off with 11 men against eight as Edinburgh found themselves disorganised with the late arrival of their players. Once the game found its feet ten minutes in, Stirling looked to build from the back to conquer the windy conditions at Airthrey.
The game continued at a high pace with Stirling playing great team football, but just couldn’t produce a killer touch to finish it off.
Midway through the first half however saw the home side get their grasp on the game as they took a deserved 1-0 lead. Good passing in the build-up found the dangerous Morris-Loughlin out wide, whose pin-point cross found the head of Manuel. His firm header bounced off the Edinburgh keeper, and Knott reacted quickest to pounce on the loose ball and tap it into the empty net.
The second half witnessed more of the same as Stirling looked for another goal to gain a comfortable lead. It almost arrived on the hour mark as the away side completely switched off, allowing Manuel space to volley in a dangerous ball to Greenhorn at the back post, but his header somehow managed to evade the gaping goal.
Edinburgh built up pressure as they looked for that crucial equaliser. However, resilient defending from the Stirling back four denied any hope of a draw.
By failing to test Macleod in goal for Stirling, 1-0 was certainly a fair result on the day, however the home side could have added a few more goals with more clinical finishing in the final third.
