Catch Up! - Stirling University Campus

Stirling University 3
Atkins
Nicholl
Jolley

Easthouses Lily Miners Welfare 2
Edgar
Gaylor

EOS League Cup Round 2
Saturday 4th April 2009
Kick Off: 2.30pm
Attendance: 22 H/C
Capacity: 2000
Admission: Free
Programme: None
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Ratings (out of 5)

Value for money *****
Grub ***** Great cafe!
Ground **
Atmosphere **
Entertainment *****
Referee ****
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Stirling University were admitted to the East of Scotland League in the summer of 2008, filling one of the two vacancies created by the withdrawal of Berwick Rangers Reserves and the election of Annan Athletic to the Scottish League. The team have enjoyed a successful first season looking for a long time like gaining promotion only to just fall short of second placed Civil Service Strollers.

Stirling are the third University side currently playing in the East of Scotland League joining Edinburgh and Heriot Watt. In 2007/08 Stirling finished a close third behind the two and have a history of competing with them strongly in the Universities League.

The University is designated ‘Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence’ and claims to offer one of the broadest sports studies programmes in Great Britain. Falkirk FC launched an initiative which has allowed its young players to combine training and study at the University facilities.

The campus is situated a mile and a half from Stirling City centre in a picturesque setting off hills and trees. I guess the University is a bit of a blot on the landscape especially some of the 1960’s buildings which form part of the campus.

In the teams first league game of the season the opened with an 11-0 demolition of Hawick Royal Albert. Despite the weakness of the opposition it sent out a real message to the rest of the First Division. In the end they fell short however with a seasons experience gained the Uni will hope to launch a sustained run at promotion next season.

I parked up in one of the main car parks at the campus and made my way down to the pitch. Entry was free and I was a bit disappointed to find that there was no programme, something which had been in the production earlier in the season. The pitch is fully enclosed with a 6 lane running track around the outside.

Despite being a division below, the home side were the strongest team throughout the game and they took a deserved lead midway through the first half. A number of missed chances went begging and they were made to pay ten minutes from time when Easthouses won themselves a penalty. It was a needless foul that led to the award and it was chance that the visitors didn’t let pass and it looked like extra time.

It didn’t though a minute later though because Stirling went straight up the other end and regained the lead. Despite any real pressure being mounted the visitors somehow equalised again, this time deep into injury time and nobody could believe their luck. The home side launched one last attack and won themselves a corner. From somewhere the referee found time for them to take it and as the ball found it’s way out to the edge of the box it was lashed home.





Club Websites:
Stirling University - None
Easthouses Lily Miners Welfare - None