Picture:John Blair www.johnblair.co.uk
Stirling University FC returned to winning ways in the league at the expense of their fellow student side.
The win at home to Edinburgh leaves Stirling six points behind leaders Spartans, but with two games in hand. The top two are due to meet in a potential title decider at the University on 12 May.
Both sides enjoyed plenty of possession early on last night, but with neither keeper called upon to make a save.
Paul Sludden fired well over and Liam Corr tried his luck from the edge of the box as Stirling started to turn the screw.
Then, on the half hour mark, Sludden swung in a corner to the back post where towering defender James Drummond was lurking with intent.
He struck a left-foot volley which crashed off the underside of the bar and was deemed to have crossed the line before Edinburgh midfielder James Craigen could hack the ball away.
Just before half-time, Edinburgh were awarded a free-kick down the right. Craigen’s subsequent delivery was flicked on at the near post and deflected in-off defender Jason Atkin’s knee, wrong-footing Stirling stopper Kevin Walker in the process.
The second half was all Stirling, although Edinburgh always posed a threat on the counter. Stirling pressure finally told with around 15 minutes to go and Sludden again claimed an assist.
His cross from the right was met sweetly by Chris Geddes who guided the ball past the Edinburgh keeper for what proved to be the winner.
Stirling are back in league action on Saturday (5 May), at home to Whitehill Welfare, kick-off 2pm at the Sports Centre. Before then, the students travel to Selhurst Park tomorrow (Wednesday) for the British Universities Cup Final against the University of Bath.
Stirling University FC: Walker, Nixon, Atkins, Drummond, Sheridan, Dines, Robertson, Pearson, Corr (Denholm), Sludden, Geddes. Subs not used: McCulloch, Jacobs, McWhirter, Polvara
