Selkirk 0
Stirling University 8
EoS PREMIER DIVISION
IT WAS always going to be a big ask for struggling Selkirk to topple title contenders Stirling – and so it proved on Saturday.
University boosted their goal difference at the expense of the home side with top scorer Chris Geddes firing four.
Selkirk’s pitch proved conducive to the passing game, an approach Stirling adopted to deadly effect.
Surprisingly, it took 24 minutes for the Students to open their account, Geddes collecting a through-pass from Danny Denholm to slot the ball past John Dodds in the Selkirk goal from 12 yards.
The lead was doubled six minutes later when a neat interchange down the left allowed Creag Robertson to drive a pass across the face of goal. Ross McManus made an attempt to cut the cross off, but only succeeded in turning the ball into his own net.
Just before the break, Geddes netted again with a shot on the volley from eight yards.
Stirling continued their domination after the break with Geddes sealing his hat-trick.
It was soon five, courtesy of a freak own-goal, occurring from a defensive back header from Euan Pritchard.
Three minutes later, Craig Mason cut the ball back for Geddes and the diminutive striker steered the ball beyond the Selkirk keeper’s reach for his fourth of the afternoon.
Midfielder Michael Pentland got in on the act soon after, following up on a Geddes shot which Dodds spilled into his path.
And with 10 minutes to go, recent recruit Paul Sludden completed the scoring, Geddes turning provider for the former Falkirk striker’ who curled the ball into the roof of the net.
Selkirk: J. Dodds, Ross McManus, J. Higginbottom, E. Pritchard, B. Milven, J. Inglis, D. Battle, Ryan McManus, J. Gibson, A. Swailes, M. Holness. Subs: D. Burdett, J. Watt, A. Boyne, R. Connolly, W. Mercer.