Stirling University 13
Hawick Royal Albert 1
SOUTH CHALLENGE CUP SECOND ROUND
The sun may have been out for this South Challenge Cup tie, but Hawick Royal Albert were left floundering in the deepening shadows, writes John Slorance.
Indeed, it turned out to be Hawick’s darkest day as the Albert Park club suffered its biggest-ever defeat.
With Ronald Fleming, Ross Brand, Graham Clee and Jay Paterek all suspended, plus a crop of players either cup-tied or injured, the Albert fielded a makeshift side.
And they were completely turned over by the reigning Premier Division champions.Stirling simply strolled to the clearest of victories
And had it not been for the heroics of Hawick keeper Ross Taylor, who pulled off a string of superb saves, it would have been a much bigger margin.
The students rattled home five goals in the first half and then went on the rampage in the second period to get into double figures.
Stirling’s goals came from Paul Sludden (4), Chris Geddes (3), Blair McWhirter (2) and solitary strikes from Robert Pearson, Liam Corr, Craig Mason and Andrew Dick.
The Albert got a goal of their own, thanks to a strike from Hawick youngster Declan Hogg.
Summing up the game, Hogg told TheSouthern: “We had a lot of players missing and some new boys who I didn’t know had to be brought in, and we simply got hammered.
“Stirling were just brilliant, though, the best side I have ever played against.
“We just couldn’t get near them.
“All of their players were fast, their passing was great and their sheer movement off the ball was superb.
“There was just nothing we could do as we could not live with them.
“I was chuffed to score a goal, though, especially as it came from what was about our only attack in the game.”