Stirling Albion won 1-3 against Edinburgh City in the Capital today at Meadowbank Stadium.
Dale Carrick scored the opener for the Binos but the lead wouldn’t last for long as Olly McDonald scored the equaliser. In the second half, Josh McPake and Dale Hilson would seal the win for the Binos.
Darren Young made one change to the side from last week’s draw against Queen of the South, with Jack Leitch coming in for Greig Spence.
In the early stages of the game the Binos attack linked up well to allow Josh McPake to have the first chance of the game but his shot fired well over the bar.
Edinburgh City had the next chance of the game after some quick passing play allowed them to move the ball up the pitch rapidly. Olly McDonald had the resulting shot on target from the move, forcing Mark Weir into a good save.
The opening goal for the Binos came in the 19th minute. A great run up the right flank from Josh McPake meant that he could cut back and slot the ball inside the box to Dale Carrick, who made no mistake from 6 yards out.
City would equalise in the 27th minute after Malik Zaid made a skilful run up the wing, beating Cameron Clark, and sliding a low ball into the Binos area. It was met well by Olly McDonald, who rocketed a shot off the underside of the crossbar and across the Albion line.
After this, the game went into a small lull, with much of the action stuck in the midfield. This was until a quick Binos attack allowed Kyle Banner to get a shot away but it was saved well.
City made a rapid counter attack, moving the ball up the pitch with fluidity and getting a shot away on target, with Mark Weir saving the ball well from close range.
Malik Zaid made another fast run up the left flank again and could’ve squared the ball to put the hosts in the lead, but a last ditch challenge from Callum Crane smothered the chance and kept the score level.
Half-Time- 1-1
The Binos nearly found their second of the game early into the second half as after a goalmouth scramble, the ball found itself at Kieran Offords feet who then had a pop at goal, his chance would just go wide of the right post.
The goal would soon come though, as Josh McPake made a tremendous run down the right flank in the 54th minute and moved inside the City area. He cleverly slid the ball underneath the City keeper from close range to put Stirling in the driving seat once again.
The second half mirrored the first, as the game calmed down with both teams contested in the midfield, with small chances scattered for each team not resulting in much.
Parker decided to take a shot 25 yards from goal and shocked both the players and fans alike as it rattled off the Stirling crossbar.
It seemed to spark the game into life, as Albion passed their way up the pitch and found Cammy Clark inside the box who struck the ball with the outside of his foot, and forced the City keeper into a save. The rebounded ball was met by Kyle Banner but it was fired high over the goal.
The Binos third goal of the game came from Dale Hilson, scoring his second goal for the club in the 82nd minute. He done well to cut inside from the left wing and put the ball into the corner from 20 yards out.
Full-Time: 1-3
Edinburgh City: Adams, Mitchell, Flatman, Ewen, Parker, Zaid (82’), MacNamara (Pitt 70’), McDonald, Wilson, Sambou (Robertson 79’), Faye
Unused Subs: Quate
Stirling Albion: Weir, Clark, McLean, McGregor, Cummins, Carrick (Spence 77’), Leitch (Molotnikov 84’), Banner, McPake (Cooper 77’), Offord (Hilson 70’), Crane (Milne 70’)
Unused Subs: Currie, McGeachie
