University of Stirling were made to work for their 2-0 win over Strathclyde University on Wednesday, in the quarter finals of the Queen’s Park Shield.
The students were far from their best in the first half, but an important goal from Louis Kennedy got Stirling up and running just minutes before the break.
It was a far different second period at the University as the Stirling side began to take control, and eventually grabbed a second through Jason Jarvis.
Head coach Chris Geddes said: “In the first half we weren’t at the races and it wasn’t good enough from us. We scored against the run of play and a draw would’ve been a fair result at half-time.
“The slow start was just down to boys being back playing, a good few of them hadn’t played in a while so it was good for them to get a game.
“The (first) goal was good to get but the boys needed reminding of the high standards we set ourselves, and we fell way below them in the first half.
“We stepped it up in the second and dominated, it could’ve been much more but for some sloppy finishing.”
Geddes made six changes to the starting eleven from the side that drew with Bo’ness United last Saturday, and it looked apparent in the opening exchanges.
Despite causing the Lowland League side some early trouble, Strathclyde couldn’t take any of their opportunities, and the hosts were in front right on half-time.
Euan McGill and Scott McArthur linked down the right-hand side before McArthur dinked a cross towards Jamie Penker who controlled the ball for Kennedy to volley into the far corner.
Stirling’s class prevailed in the second period and it was a matter of time before they had a two-goal lead.
Substitutes Calum Rae and Jason Jarvis combined, as the latter poked the ball past the Strathclyde goalkeeper to cap another well-worked move, and an important win.
The students are back in Lowland League action on Saturday as they welcome Gala Fairydean Rovers to Forthbank.
Chris Geddes added: “It will be a really tough game. They have a new manager in so their boys will be wanting to impress him. I’m looking forward to it.”
University of Stirling: Fry, Thompson, Burrows, Taylor, Lavery, Doan, Berry (Davidson 78’), McArthur (Jarvis 68’), Kennedy (McGale 68’), McGill (Stokes 78’), Penker (Rae 68’)
Featured Image Credit: University of Stirling
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