Clayton Caravan Park Recreation Ground, St Andrews - 11 September, 2021: St Andrews United v University of Stirling in the East of Scotland Cup (Photo Copyright © Matt Hooper Photography)
Saints Stuffed by Students
Report by Lewis Rodger, Photography by Matt Hooper
Report by Lewis Rodger, Photography by Matt Hooper
St Andrews United faced the daunting task of playing a Lowland League team in the East of Scotland Cup with another small squad. Jack Rollo was suspended and Jake Grady wasn’t quite ready to return following a period of injury so manager Barry Cockburn gave home debuts to veterans Steven Stewart and Scott Meikle. Unfortunately, Saints conceded a penalty in the third minute of the match when the ball struck a defender on the arm and Conor Doan fired the resulting spot kick high into the net past Kyle Moran.
The young goalie then made a great save a few moments later from a James Berry shot and he was relieved to see a similar shot miss the post after quarter of an hour. The University enjoyed a lot of success down the right throughout the opening stages of the game and their good play led to another goal in the 19th minute. A good low cross from Berry flashed across the face of the goal and James Stokes tapped the ball into the net from close range.
St Andrews United subsequently created two great chances when Ross Cunningham and Evan Stanfield engineered shooting opportunities yet Stirling goalkeeper Ben Fry produced two wonderful saves low to his right. A Stanfield free kick also shaved the post but any hopes of a United comeback were dashed leading up to half time. Calum Rae notched a quick-fire double following quick counter attacks and Saints went into the break 4-0 down.
The home side thus began the second period shooting down the slope with a view to keeping the score respectable yet Berry converted a cross in the 47th minute to make the score 5-0. The United players really struggled to keep Stirling's speedy attacks at bay thereafter and it came as no surprise when Stokes added a sixth goal just after the hour mark by calmly hitting a low shot into net from an unmarked position. Alas, the Stirling attacks continued until the end of the match and Moran made a string a terrific saves to earn the home team’s ‘man of the match’ award.
Clayton Caravan Park Recreation Ground, St Andrews - 11 September, 2021: St Andrews United Goalkeeper Kyle Moran produced a stunning late save to keep the score down to 6, St Andrews United v University of Stirling in the East of Scotland Cup (Photo Copyright © Matt Hooper Photography)
St Andrews United did have one final chance to get on the score-sheet when Stanfield was wrongly called offside as a defender lay injured on the far side but referee Keith Maskell enjoyed an otherwise stress free afternoon. There was only ever going to be one winner in this miss-matched contest, though Saints still need to shore-up the defence with important league games on the horizon.
