The University of Stirling Men’s football team fought back admirably to salvage a point in a 2-2 draw away to Berwick Rangers.
Two first half goals had set the Gers on their way to their first win of the season.
But an inspired comeback in the second half thanks to goals from Cameron McKinley and substitute Ben Woloszyn, made sure that the students went back up the road with a point.
The game started off even, with keepers on each side being tested early.
As both teams grew into the game, it was the visitors who looked sharper. The striking tandem of Ben Mciver Redwood and Cameron McKinley were causing problems for the Rangers defence.
But it was Berwick who struck first in the 19th minute. It was a goal marred in confusion for the students.
The ball looked to have been out of play, but the whistle never came. Uni switched off which allowed an unmarked Graham Taylor to tap home at the far post.
Liam Buchanan doubled the lead late on in the half. A poor touch from a throw in was charged down by the striker. He had the beating of his defender and struck the ball through the legs of the keeper.
Uni break down two goal deficit, with substitutes providing major impact.
With work to do in the second half, the students were quick off the block. A minute after the restart, Cameron McKinley converted a James Russell corner at the near post.
Berwick forced Yan Gromov Godik into two big saves at the hour mark.
But Stirling continued to up the pressure. Geddes had made four changes since half time and all four were starting to have an impact.
The hard work of Abel Manomey was rewarded as the substitute rode two tackles, slid the ball through to fellow substitute Alex Jeanes, who then found Ben Woloszyn lurking at the far post. The deflected shot trickled in for the all-important equaliser.
The officials waved away any chance for late drama despite protests for a penalty by both Berwick players and their supporters in the stands. The decision was made, and so the spoils were shared.
Head coach Chris Geddes said: “We played well at stages, we created a lot of opportunities, not the best finishing.
“We go 2-0 down, a mountain to climb, but I thought second half the character we showed was excellent, that’s what we asked for.
“We’re really happy with a point considering we were 2-0 down, away, against a tough team, but we have a lot to work on as well going into the next few weeks as we have midweek cup games, and league games sandwiched in between. In the end it was a good point.”
This draw puts Stirling Uni 14th in the league. Next up for the students is a cup tie away to Whitehill Welfare on Wednesday night.
University of Stirling: Gromov Godik, Southern (Jeanes 45), Aslanoglu, Service, Lavery, Scally (Woloszyn 83), Russell (Malcolm 71), McAninch (Munro 77), Maciver Redwood (Manomey 71), McKinley, Stokes
Featured image credit: Alan Bell
4th year Journalism student. Covering Stirling Uni FC for the 23/24 season.
[…] changes were made to the team that came back to draw against Berwick Rangers at the weekend. It was a chance for some fresh faces to make their mark, and for first-teamers to […]