Fjordhus Reivers 1
Stirling Wanderers 2
EAST MEN’S DIVISION ONE
AFTER a narrow loss and an improved performance against Edinburgh Uni the week before, it was a determined side that took to the Tweedbank astro on Saturday.
The men started in positive fashion, giving the Stirling side little encouragement and forcing them to defend their goal with care.
Unfortunately, it was on a rare break that they won a penalty corner which was duly dispatched with a fierce strike.
The rest of the half continued in the same vein with Reivers having the better of the possession, but unable to convert what chances they had in front of goal.
The men started the second half with renewed resolve, but with much the same outcome. With the hosts unable to break down a resolute defence, a Stirling counter-attack sealed the result as the ball fell to their striker, who lashed the ball past ducking defender Paul Conkie and by the ears of keeper Steven Young into the roof of the net.
At 2-0, the game was far from over with the Reivers redoubling their efforts. Graham Lofthouse and Callum Stockdale ran the Wanderers ragged, but struggled for an end product.
Stirling were pushing to end the resistance and won a penalty corner which was blocked by a body on the line. Keeper Young made an amazing save, pushing the ball onto the crossbar and safe, to keep the Borderers in the game for the last 10 minutes.
A Lofthouse goal from a rare loose ball made for a tense last few moments, but chances came and went unfinished, leaving Fjordhus with the feeling that despite periods of dominance, and not having a recognised striker in the side, points should have been taken from the match.
Fjordhus Reivers: S. Young, S. Conkie, D. Johnstone, P. Conkie, P. Cairns, C. Stockdale, S. Girvan, J. Fletcher, G. Lofthouse, C. Darling, B. Montgomery, D. Seed, C. D. Stockdale.