Stirling bounced back from their defeat to Edinburgh 2s with an impressive performance and result against St Andrews, winning the match 3-2.
The first chance for Stirling came nine minutes in, a close range effort was saved by the St Andrews keeper.
There was a short corner for St Andrews ten minutes in – the reverse shot in the area was saved.
In the 14th minute Stirling took the lead. A brilliant reverse shot from Fraser Allan on the left of the area found the top corner in superb fashion.
Shortly after that at the other end a big save from Finn Sayers sustained Stirling’s advantage.
On 15 minutes there was a short corner for St Andrews after a foot in the area, the short corner shot was ultimately blocked.
Stirling at this point held a slender advantage although St Andrews had started the match well. On 17 minutes St Andrews managed to score an equaliser. The ball was squared across the area before being knocked in.
The match thus far was played at a very fast pace with chances for both sides at either end. Stirling had a short corner at the end of the quarter although nothing came of it.
At the start of the second quarter Robbie Forrest sent a shot over the bar. On four minutes Stirling had a short corner, Luc Hermsen’s drag flick was saved.
On eight minutes St Andrews were given a short corner. The first two shots were saved before the third shot was reversed into the side netting, just missing.
At the other end on ten minutes, Stirling had a short corner. Stirling was given another after this one due to a foot in the area. The second short corner was flicked into the backboard, giving Stirling a 2-1 lead, scored by Luc Hermsen.
Only two minutes later St Andrews had a short corner as they looked for a quick response, a brilliant defensive block denied the shot at goal.
As the second quarter drew to a close, it was clear to see that it was an evenly matched game between two strong sides, although Stirling had a goal advantage.
A well worked move from Stirling in midfield broke as they worked it down the right before squaring it to the middle. The shot was put agonisingly wide though.
St Andrews had a short corner on five minutes, although Stirling defended it well.
On seven minutes there was a chance for Stirling. The ball was worked to the left and Robbie Forrest went by the defender before squaring it to the middle of the area, but there were no takers.
On eight minutes St Andrews had a short corner however it was defended well, but St Andrews were awarded a long corner afterwards. A strong shot from St Andrews was saved and the rebound was also saved by Finn Sayers.
On nine minutes St Andrews had yet another short corner, this time saved comfortably.
On 15 minutes there was a short corner to Stirling after good play down the left. The shot was saved but Luc Hermsen’s reverse shot along the ground on the rebound was tucked home. This gave Stirling a priceless 3-1 lead going into the final quarter of the match.
Stirling were under no pressure to go for more goals with already having a two goal lead, although they couldn’t get complacent.
On nine minutes there was great play from a St Andrews attacker dribbling into the area before unleashing a powerful shot into the goal, giving them a lifeline as the deficit was reduced to one.
On ten minutes Stirling had a short corner, the ball was just touched wide of the goal.
St Andrews had an attack down the left and a reverse shot was just put wide of goal as they looked for an equaliser.
On 14 minutes Robbie Forrest’s reverse shot was brilliantly saved on the line by a St Andrews defender. Shortly after this, Forrest ran brilliantly with the ball down the left before squaring across goal, although there were no takers for Stirling.
At the end of the quarter there was a short corner to Stirling. St Andrews at this point had no keeper as he had to go off. The short corner was blocked on the line before a rebound was put over the bar.
Stirling held out for a brilliant 3-2 victory over St Andrews as they kept their title hopes alive after a difficult result last week against Edinburgh. Stirling will do it all again on November 20 against St Andrews, this time away from home.
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