An impressive win for Stirling Albion saw the Binos triumphing 4-0 against Edinburgh City. The match saw Albion captain Paul McLean scoring two goals, Josh McPake finding the net on his debut for the club, and Dale Hilson also scoring his first goal for the club.
The visitors initiated the game at Forthbank, and within just 4 minutes, they threatened the Albion goal. Malik Zaid took a low shot at Blair Currie, which was comfortably gathered as it rolled into his hands.
In the 7th minute, Offord slipped through the Edinburgh City defence and attempted a shot, but the City defender did well to dispossess the centre-forward before he could fire off a shot.
A minute after this opportunity, City found themselves at the other end of the pitch, with Malik Zaid taking another shot at the Albion goal. However, this time his shot went wide of the right post.
After a quiet spell in the game, in the 24th minute, Jack Leitch had a shot on goal that was parried by the keeper and rose high into the air. It was then met by Josh McPake, who headed the ball towards the goal in search of his debut goal, but Adams saved the attempt.
A corner in the 30th minute taken by Leitch resulted in a goalmouth scramble as several Binos players fought to put the ball into the back of the City net. As the Edinburgh defence struggled to clear, skipper Paul McLean managed to tap the ball into the net, putting Stirling 1-0 up.
On the 35th minute, the captain nearly got a second goal as Paul McLean hit a tremendous strike destined for the top left of the net, but a diving save from Ruairidh Adams prevented Albion from going 2-0 up.
Just before half-time, on the 43rd minute, Kieran Offord got a shot away from just outside the centre of the box, but it bobbled into Adams’ hands as he collected the ball comfortably.
Half-Time: 1-0
The Binos would make a change at half time, with Dale Hilson coming on for Greig Spence.
Two minutes after the second half kicked off, referee Greg Soutar showed a red card to Frankie Dean after a crunching tackle on Josh McPake.
On the 53rd minute, great link-up play was seen from the Binos. Josh McPake passed the ball to Dale Hilson, who then passed to Kieran Offord. Offord then made a final pass to Jack Leitch, who took a shot for the first chance of the half, but it was fired over the bar.
55 minutes into the game, Josh McPake finally got his debut goal as his free kick from the edge of the box curled around the Edinburgh City wall and slotted into the right-hand side of the net, well out of reach from Ruairidh Adams.
Oliver McDonald found himself one-on-one with the chance to get a goal back for the hosts in the 62nd minute, but Blair Currie did extremely well to close down space and collect the ball before the striker could get a shot away.
Stirling looked to get fresh legs on the pitch in the 65th minute with Kieran Offord and Josh McPake making way for Josh Cooper and Kieran Moore.
Josh Cooper made an immediate impact, as four minutes after taking to the pitch, he linked up well with Leitch, who had another shot on goal, but it went over the bar.
With 72 minutes played, Kieran Moore found himself in front of goal and had a first-time shot at goal. His shot deflected and bounced into the air, nearly deceiving Ruairidh Adams in goal, but he regained his composure and collected the ball mid-flight.
In the 75th minute, Paul McLean found his second of the day as another excellent ball in from Leitch found McLean inside the box as he rose to meet it and headed it into the bottom left corner of the net.
Kenny Fisher nearly got a goal back for the hosts in the 78th minute as his powerful shot rattled the Binos crossbar.
A free kick was awarded to Albion on the edge of the box in the 83rd minute. Josh Cooper struck the ball well, and it once again made its way around the City wall, but this time it was saved by Ruairidh Adams in goal.
In the 89th minute, Dale Hilson netted his first goal for Stirling Albion. His initial strike on goal was parried away by Ruairidh Adams, only to land back at Hilson, who hit the ball into the back of the net.
Full-Time: 4-0
Stirling Albion: Currie, Clark, McLean, McGregor, Cummins, Carrick (Milne 76’), Leitch, McPake (Cooper 67’), Offord (Moore 67’), Spence (Hilson 46’), Crane (Banner 76’)
Subs: Weir, McGeachie, Dunsmore, Moore, Banner, Bird, Cooper, Milne, Hilson
Edinburgh City: Adams, Mitchell, Flatman, Ewen, Parker, Zaid (Sambou 46’), Marshall (Fisher 78’), McDonald (Devine 79’), Deane, Wilson (McNamara 63’), Faye (Mair 63’)
Subs: Quate, Fisher, MacNamara, Devine, Pitt, Mair, Sambou
