MATCH PREVIEW - UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING (A)

For our first away game of 2024 we make the short journey over the Kincardine Bridge to face University of Stirling in the opening round of the Lowland League Cup with a 3pm kick off at Forthbank Stadium.

It is a repeat of last season’s second round tie when we went down 4-2 at Central Park after beating Berwick Rangers 2-0 in the previous round at Shiefield Park.

The Students’ eventually lost 3-2 to East Kilbride at K Park with Kilby eventually going onto win the cup beating Bo’ness United 7-6 on penalties following a 2-2 draw at Shielfield Park.


LAST TIME OUT

Our four game unbeaten run came to an end last Saturday when Bo’ness United scored two first half goals in a 2-0 win at Central Park.


THE OPPOSITION

Our hosts sit in ninth place in the Lowland League a place above us and three points ahead with both sides having played 21 games.

They have had busy cup campaigns in the SPFL Trust Trophy, Scottish Gas Scottish Cup, South Challenge Cup and the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup.

In the SPFL the student’s brushed aside Livingston B 4-0 at Forthbank with goals from James Russell, James Malcolm, Ben MacIver-Redwood and Nathan Tallen in the First Round. This set up a Second Round tie with Clyde at New Douglas Park with Cameron McKinley, Erik Skula, with an own goal, and James Stokes getting the goals in a 3-1 win with Connor Scullion replying for the Bully Wee.

They eventually dropped out losing 3-2 to Airdrie at Forthbank with Ciaran McAninch bagging a brace with the second coming from the penalty spot and Josh O’Connor, Rhys McCabe and Liam McStavik getting the Diamonds goals.

In the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup they also went out to North Lanarkshire opposition losing 3-1 to Albion Rovers live on BBC Scotland. Shea Scally got the Uni goal with Bright Prince, Joe Bevan and Niyah Joseph getting the Rovers goals.

In the South Challenge Cup they drew 1-1 with Gartcairn at Forthbank in the First Round with Kamil Krol opening the scoring and Marcus Laverty levelling for the Airdrie based side with the Uni winning 3-0 in the penalty shoot-out.

The Second Round saw a 4-1 win over Thorniewood United at Robertson Park in a game which saw United keeper Craig Murdoch injured then manager David Gormley who had taken over in goal was sent off for handling the ball outside the box! With full back Alasdair Miller eventually taking over in goal. Finn Moffett with a brace, Alex Jeanes and Ciaran McAninch got the Uni goals.

They however bowed out in the Third Round losing 2-0 to Johnstone Burgh with Kieran Brophy hitting a brace in the opening 15 minutes at Keanie Park.

In the East of Scotland Qualifying Cup they beat Whitehill Welfare 2-1 at Ferguson Park in the Second Round with Ben Woloszyn and Jake Service getting the goals and Lewis Walker replying for the Welfare.


MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE – Sean Murdoch

ASSISTANT REFEREES – Richard Macartney & Lewis Brown


ADMISSION

Adults - £7 | Concessions - £4




Previewer: Andrew Mullen.