YFS
The University of Stirling scored three unanswered second half goals to come from behind and stun Tynecastle and lift the SLFL Under 20s challenge cup.
The first period was a fiesty one – although plenty of attacking intent, it wasn’t until the later stages of the half that real action kicked in.
Chances fell at both ends in the ealry stages: a couple of volleys wide of the target from Stirling and a header from Tynecastle attacker Robert Polson but none too troublesome for either keeper.
The first save of note came on 13 minutes when Craig Brown hit a low effort from the edge towards the far corner; but keeper Kyle Wilson was equal to it to turn behind at the expense of a corner.
Uni began to keep ahold of the ball well, comfortably playing out from the back past the Tynecastle press, and let the edinburgh side play more on the break.
And it was Tynie who were next to come close following a brillaint diagonal pass that sent Polson in behind; but the striker was denied by Alex Webb, who raced back to snuff out the danger.
Again it was Polson causing the problems for Stirling. The forward was breaking quickly on what looked to be a dangerous counter attack before he was brought down cynicaly by Callum Downie: and it’s fair to say it wasn’t the only time the referee had to dip into his pocket.
It was inside the final ten minutes of the first period when Tyler Huxford picked out Thomas Purves with a delicate pass over the top – and in the end a penalty was awarded for a handball by Webb, who was on the floor.
Huxford was the man to step up for Tynie, and the penalty was good: low, hard and towards the corner; but Owen Klijsen was down extremely quickly to beat the ball behind and keep the scores even.
However it didn’t take long for Tynecastle to create another chance and as the ball was slid into the path of Laurie Devine – he wasn’t going to miss. The attacker took his time with the chance to compse himself before guiding the ball past Klijsen with his left foot from close range to open the scoring on the stroke of half time.