League Play-Off

Stonehaven Field
Spectators: 43 (Terracing: 33, Seating: 10, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Gareth Cunningham took the kick off in the first half of the match. The supporters of Stirling booed when Dunnottar Athletic was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 4 match minutes in a wonderful position. Samuel McGeachie didn't get a good kick on the ball. Gareth Cunningham took the ball and in the 8 minute, shot a rapid shot to the right of a surprised Sean McEoin. Sean McEoin dived to the right, and did manage to get a hand on the shot, but it still went into the right corner making it 1-0. In the 14th match minute, Dunnottar Athletic was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Robbie Abbot to maneuver through the defense. Gareth Cunningham received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 18th minute. Sean McEoin tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Gareth Cunningham who was well placed in front of the goal fired away a dangerous shot that in the 21stth minute tested the skills of Sean McEoin when he managed to save the team from getting behind. Dunnottar Athletic's Ricky Hewitt played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Gareth Hawes in the 29th minute of play. After 31 played minutes Stirling got a freekick which was hit by Harold Purcell. Ricky Hewitt showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Gareth Hawes, who was totally free with the ball in the 38th minute. Gareth Cunningham succeeded in the game's 40th minute to shoot an unreachable shot under the crossbar and scored - 2-0. Dunnottar Athletic's Samuel McGeachie shoveled away a really nice long shot in the 43rd minute of play. The shot was stopped by Sean McEoin but with some difficulty. Quentin Meine kicked well hit freekick during the 44th minute of the match. Gareth Cunningham came free with the goalkeeper in the 47th minute of the match, and shot straight on target. The shot was a little too simple and Sean McEoin could save by the left post. Gareth Hawes's late challenge caught a Dunnottar Athletic's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Gareth Hawes helped the player get up and apologised. After 47 played minutes Stirling got a freekick which was hit by Gareth Hawes. Gareth Cunningham sent away a hard shot on goal in the 48th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. All the noise was coming from the home fans when the whistle went for half-time. The home team had fought hardest to put themselves in a deserved lead.

The players of the away team seemed most concentrated when Gregor McKichan stepped up to make the kick off in the second half. The audience was convinced that Gareth Cunningham's extremely hard shot when he got free in front of the goal was going in, but Sean McEoin was relentless in the 53rd minute of the game. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Gareth Cunningham in the 55th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Sean McEoin saved Stirling from getting behind. Barry CorMcK kicked well hit freekick during the 58th minute of the match. In the 61st minute, Stirling's Sean McHardy seemed to kick out at an opponent. The referee saw this and, surprisingly, showed Sean McHardy the red card, dismissing him from the pitch. The coaching staff of Stirling protested bitterly, but the referee would have none of it, and Sean McHardy had no choice but to slowly walk off the pitch. In a very dangerous position, a player in Stirling fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 60th minute. Penalty! Sean McEoin had in the 62ndth minute some difficulties stopping Steven Dunn's well aimed penalty as it nearly passed him on his left side, but he still managed to hold the ball. 62 minutes into the match, Steven Dunn had an open shot that he just couldn't miss and scored to the right of Sean McEoin. Stirling's manager could be seen yelling to the referee that Steven Dunn was offside, but the referee ignored the protest. 3-0. Sean McEoin stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Gareth Cunningham's shot from short distance in the 65th minute. Gareth Cunningham fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 72nd minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Sean McEoin having to interfere. When Larry Fair came up free with the goalie in the 79th minute, the Dunnottar Athletic fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Larry Fair couldn't finish the play. After some fancy dribbling in the 81st minute, Steven Dunn managed to get in a good position for a shot. Dunnottar Athletic's supporters rose to their feet, but Steven Dunn was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Sean McEoin breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. In the 84thth minute of the game Larry Fair who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Stirling's Sean McEoin was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. A collision led to Dunnottar Athletic getting a freekick after 85 minutes play. Neil Bailey hit a great ball. When Larry Fair came up free with the goalie in the 87th minute, the Dunnottar Athletic fans jumped to their feet. But the shot missed the goal by a fraction of an inch, and the fans sat back down disappointed that Larry Fair couldn't finish the play. A collision led to Dunnottar Athletic getting a freekick after 94 minutes play. Ter McGillivour hit a great ball. In the 99th minute of the match Ter McGillivour sent off a long shot with destination to the right of the goalkeeper, but Sean McEoin skillfully saved the ball. For all the effort they put into the match, the Stirling players left disappointed. They had fought hard, but couldn't break down the home team's defense. The match ended in a win for Dunnottar Athletic.