Stirling faced defeat against a strong Edinburgh 2s side as great start to BUCS season was halted at Gannochy.
Similar to recent weeks Stirling started with control of possession however the first chance of the match fell to Edinburgh nine minutes in. An attacker drove through a gap in defence before squaring the ball to the back post, however the other attacker couldn’t make a connection, despite sliding in.
On 12 minutes Hermsen made a great run with the ball down the left flank, which earned Stirling a free hit just outside the area due to an Edinburgh foot. The ball was then woked into the area and the shot was saved.
On 16 minutes Edinburgh had a chance in the area, however the shot was easily saved by the Stirling keeper, Finn Sayers.
At the end of the first quarter Edinburgh had a series of long corners. And this resulted in forcing the Stirling keeper into some good saves. Edinburgh finished the first quarter on top, however the deadlock couldn’t be broken.
On four minutes an aerial into the Edinburgh area was met by a Stirling player who lashed the ball just wide of the goal.
At the other end, Edinburgh had a short corner on eight minutes after a foot in the Stirling area. The deflection from the short corner just went wide.
On 12 minutes Edinburgh started to gain control of the match, pinning Stirling back. On 15 minutes they had a short corner after a great run down the left wing from the Edinburgh forward, a foot was given in the Stirling area. The shot was saved twice before another short corner was given for a high ball. The second short corner was converted straight into the goal, giving Edinburgh a deserved 1-0 lead.
Shortly after the goal Edinburgh had another big chance, a shot in the centre of the Stirling area was hit wide.
As the second quarter almost came to a close, Edinburgh continued to dominate the match. They had a short corner on 17 minutes which was blocked. Meanwhile at the other end Stirling had a chance, a clever close range shot was saved.
At the start of the third quarter Edinburgh doubled their advantage on two minutes, the first shot was blocked before the ball fell into the path of the other forward who slammed in the rebound.
On six minutes Edinburgh piled on more pressure with a short corner, however the shot was saved.
At the other end Stirling had a short corner on ten minutes, however Luc Hermsen’s shot in the area was saved. At this point Stirling were trying to force their way back into the match however the Edinburgh defence remained firm and Stirling couldn’t get any luck.
At the end of the third quarter Edinburgh had a short corner which was the last opportunity of the quarter, this resulted in forcing Finn Sayers into a good save to keep the score as it was.
In the fourth quarter Stirling were awarded a short corner after six minutes due to an Edinburgh foot, however the shot got blocked.
At the other end Edinburgh went on the counter, the left forward went on a brilliant run with the ball bouncing on the players stick down the left flank. The ball eventually came off a Stirling player’s foot in the area and a short corner was awarded, however nothing came of the short corner.
On ten minutes Robbie Forrest was shown a green card for talking back to the umpires, as frustrations boiled over.
Stirling were awarded a short corner after a foot in the area on 12 minutes. A great aerial was sent to the back post and Robbie Forrest managed to win a foot in the area. Luc Hermsen’s drag flick was blocked by an Edinburgh player and another short corner was given, although that was also blocked.
On 16 minutes there was a chance for Grant Morgan as an aerial was sent into the area. Morgan latched onto the aerial before flicking over the keeper, however the ball agonisingly went just wide.
Just a minute later Edinburgh went on the counter and managed to score a third, giving Stirling no chance of a fightback with little time to play.
In the last action of the match, Stirling were awarded a short corner as Hermsen got obstructed in the area. The ball was then fizzed into the direction of the goal before Robbie Forrest managed to deflect it high into the net, giving Stirling a consolation goal to round off the match.
After two great home results against Heriot-Watt and Glasgow, Stirling were defeated by Edinburgh at Gannochy by three goals to one. On November 13 Stirling will face St Andrews 1s at home.
Featured image credit: Archie Meldrum
