Gretna FC (2008) 1 Stirling University 1

SLFL

GRETNA FC (2008)    1 (1)

I.Anderson

Stirling University        1 (1)

O.Kelly

Games between these two teams are usually a close affair and this proved to be the case on a blustery afternoon at Raydale park.

The “hoops” kicked off towards the Loanwath Road end into a strong wind, an obstacle both teams would have to deal with during the ninety minutes.

Early play belonged to the home side with Stirling pinned back deep in their own half.

Against the run of play Stirling took the lead when a stray pass by Alan Inglis aimed for Darren Addison put Owen Kelly through and the Stirling forwards wind assisted shot flew beyond the outstretched arms of Jamie Greenall into the net in the 15th.minute, 0-1.

The home side almost got back on level terms when Brandon Longcake cut in from the left wing and struck a fierce shot at goal but Stirling keeper Ryan Marshall made the save just under the bar.

In the 20th.minute the scores were level when David Renyard put Iain Anderson through and the big forward beat several defenders before hammering the ball into the net with his left foot,1-1.

The home side had most of the possession but Scott Milligan was acquiring the close attention of Stirling central pairing of Roberson and Leigh and the Gretna forward had limited chances to make any impact on the game.

Stirling had a huge piece of luck when Dean Rea's header crashed off the bar with Marshall beaten, then Longcake saw his header cleared off the line as Gretna went all out for a second goal.

As half time approached Ryan McGuffie  found himself unmarked in the Stirling area but could not convert his chance. H/T 1-1.

Stirling got he second half underway but soon found themselves under pressure as Gretna’s Renyard fired in a 20 yard strike that Marshall did well to turn behind for a corner.

Gretna keeper Greenall was forced to leave the field after picking up an injury while making a save in the first half and failed to shake it off. His replacement Graham Wright was rarely called into action as the visitors spent most of the second half defending.

Marshall stood between Gretna and three points as the Stirling keeper made saves from Milligan, Anderson and Renyard. 

Gretna manager Stuart Rome made changes to his starting line up firstly bringing on Adam Main for Connor Graham and then Mark Worrall for Davdi Renyard  as they went all out for the three points. Stirling defended defiantly giving Gretna a run of corners but the home side just could not find the back of the net and the game ended in a draw.

F/T 1-1.

GRETNA FC (2008) :

J.Greenall, J.Blake, A.Inglis, R.McGuffie, D.Rea, D.Addison, D.Renyard, C.Graham, I.Anderson, S.Milligan, B.Longcake. Subs : D.Graham, N.Cassidy, M.Worrall, A.Main, J.Barker, R.Halliday, G.Wright.