LOWLAND LEAGUE
UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING
CELTIC B
The University of Stirling were forced to settle for a 1–1 draw with Celtic B after a demanding contest in which their effort and organisation were matched by long spells of defensive work.
The Uni started the match under pressure as Celtic B enjoyed early possession and forced a corner inside the opening minutes, but Stirling defended solidly.
Celtic continued to probe, mainly down the right, although early efforts failed to test the Stirling goal.
Stirling began to grow into the game and threatened on the break. Walker produced a strong run down the left, though the move was halted by an offside flag.
A clash of heads midway through the half briefly stopped play, with both players able to continue.
Celtic came close when a free kick from the left was delivered into the box and eventually fell to a Celtic player, whose shot flew just over the bar.
Stirling responded immediately and took the lead.
A powerful run down the right ended with a low cross into the box, where Finn Moffett showed composure to slot the ball past the diving Celtic goalkeeper.
The visitors pushed hard for an equaliser before the break, but no luck found them after Stirling held strong.
The Uni started the second half brightly and nearly doubled their lead when Walker beat the offside trap and struck the crossbar.
Stirling won a series of corners, though the Celtic keeper held them comfortably.
The game turned when a Celtic player received a second booking and was sent off.
Despite being reduced to ten men, Celtic equalised two minutes later, breaking through the middle before finishing clinically to make it 1–1.
Stirling made changes as the match opened up, with Tallen and Brown being introduced, and later Muir replacing Moffett. Both sides created moments.
Stirling cleared a goal line scramble, and Tallen was denied by a strong block from the Celtic keeper.
Celtic continued to apply pressure late on, delivering dangerous crosses and winning free kicks, while Stirling defended deep and worked tirelessly.
In stoppage time, Stirling pushed forward and earned a long throw-in in a promising area, but no winner came.
Full time saw it finish 1-1. The Uni will be disappointed not to take more from the game against ten men, but their commitment and work rate throughout the match were clear.
Head coach coach Chris Geddes commented: “Good point considering we had players missing, had chances to get a second but couldn’t take them. We knew Celtic would have more of the ball but they didn’t have many shots at goal.
“Second half when they went down to 10 men they played better and we had some good chances on the counter, but we will take a point and move on to the next game.”
Stirling return to the Lowland League on Friday, when they travel to Ainslie Park to face Heart of Midlothian B in a late kick-off.
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