Stirling Districts A’s were aiming to shake off a tough start to the season with the visit of BOSA in their Division 1 encounter at Bradwood Park. Second on the table and unbeaten, BOSA were going be a tough proposition and the talk before the game was for Stirling to impose themselves on their opposition, play with intensity, and force them to play on parts of the pitch where we wanted them to be.
The game didn’t start well however; in the second minute of the game a BOSA break down the Stirling left side led to a cross that was finished neatly and it was 1-0 to BOSA. Stirling didn’t let that setback unsettle them and it soon became clear that they were not going to let BOSA have an easy day. Cutting off their supply channels down the wings, central midfielders Lewis Coulls and Joel Byrth got the better of their opposition counterparts and BOSA were forced into a long ball game as Stirling began to win their battles and dictate the game. With the pace and movement of Sean Lang and Scott Mather causing problems up front, chances began to come. Two big opportunities from corners went narrowly wide before another partially cleared corner was knocked back in and Kaylem Short applied the faintest of touches past the keeper and Stirling were level at 1-1.
The game continued to be a tightly contested and even battle with tackles flying in. But with 10 minutes left in the first half, BOSA pressure in the box led to a scramble where their left midfielder knocked in their second.
At half time the talk was that the result was in our hands and that with hard work chances would come our way. That proved to be the case and the second half was just as hard fought as the first. Chances for both teams, plenty of hard tackles with Stirling showing an appetite and ability that surprised BOSA. Chances came for both teams with Stirling keeper Butler pulling off a handful of high quality saves whilst Simon Dawe at right back produced a virtuoso display of tackling and intensity. A couple of substitutions ensured Stirling maintained their energy to push hard for the equalizer and they were rewarded in the second minute of stoppage time when Scott Mather won possession of the ball 25 metres from the goal and drilled a well-aimed shot into the far corner of the BOSA net. With little time left, Stirling still had time to fashion one last chance but the game finished 2-2.
All in all it was a good result for Stirling against a strong opponent and a performance full of effort and skill which will provide great confidence for the games ahead. There were good performance across the park but special mention must go to keeper Butler for a brilliant performance whilst hampered by injury.