Braves exit the Scottish Cup

Caledonian Braves were left to rue missed chances as the University of Stirling ran out 1-0 victors in the Scottish Cup first round.

The Scottish Cup was back and with it saw Caledonian Braves host the University of Stirling in the first round. Last time these two sides met the home side Caledonian Braves won 4-1 earlier in the season.  

The game started off brightly with the home side attacking from the start. The first chance of the game fell to Cammy Breadner who had his effort saved following a Braves corner. 

Shortly after, some great build up play from the home side lead to Scott Forrester blazing a half chance over the bar.

The home side continued to attack and pile on the pressure after Rhys Armstrong floated in a corner, which saw Scott Forrester’s headed chance go over the bar for a goal kick.

The University of Stirling started to grow into the game and it wasn’t long before it paid off. A fine low driven pass was played into the path of their striker who calmly finished well, making it 0-1 to the away side.

They were at it again when a ball was floated into the back post causing mayhem in the box, luckily for the Braves, the chance ended up rolling wide as the away side continued to try and add to their lead.

Minutes before the half time whistle there was another chance for Stirling. Following a corner, the chance fell to their midfielder this time who’s shot was inches wide from making it 0-2 to the away side.  

The second half started brightly with Caledonian Braves on the front foot and winning a corner. The ball was easily dealt with however as they looked to get back into the tie after going 0-1 down.

The University of Stirling’s first chance of the second half came after they cut open the Brave’s defence easily with a quick passage of play. However, they couldn’t find an end product and the chance fizzled out.

Shortly after, Luke Main had his good chance saved after a spell of dominance from Caley Braves. 

It was all one-way traffic in the second half as the home side looked to equalise, on the 75th min, Ross Lindsay had a shot from outside the box, rattling the post from all of 30 yards as Braves were knocking at the University of Stirling’s door.

In the dramatic closing stages of the game Mark Kelly sent a great ball across the face of goal into the path of Jamie Walker, the wing back threw himself at the ball but just couldn’t meet it, as the ball rolled past him for a goal kick.

Overall Caledonian Braves will be hugely disappointed with the result given their performance earlier in the season against the same opposition. However, Stirling held on well and will be delighted to progress to the next round of the Scottish Cup.  

Caledonian Braves

1. Henry

2. Brown

3. Walker

4. Main

5. Duncan

6. Forrester

7. Butterworth

8. Lindsay (C)

9. Kelly

10. Armstrong

11. Breadner

Substitutes

12. Testa

14. Boualem

15. McLear

16. Guthrie

75. Duffy

University of Stirling

1. Fry

2. McGale

3. Burrows

4. Taylor

5. Downie

6. Doan

7. Berry

8. Davidson

9. Rae

10. Stokes

11. Kennedy