Big decision costs Shipyard dearly.

Shipyard were once again on the wrong end of a controversial and ultimately match winning decision as the referee somehow missed a glaringly obvious offside, allowing Lucas Dobson to run through unchallenged and slot the ball beyond Kacper Okupnik with 79 minutes on the clock. As they say, “It wasn’t even close.” Unfortunately, such was the Shippy players anger at the decision, that Ethan Bauld was sent off for something he said. Prior to this it had been an evenly contested match as despite Shippy being the more dominant team in the first half it was the students who led at half-time thanks to a back post header from captain James Farrell following a 36th minute corner. The second period saw Stirling more on the ascendency, however, this time the roles were reversed as Shipyard scored against the run of play with Shippy captain Mikey Gibb equalising in the 65th minute. Gibby latched onto a long ball, lobbed advancing keeper Alex Sutherland and headed the ball into the empty net. 

There was a debut for Stuart Forster who arrived from Bo’ness Athletic during the week, though he had played for Shipyard as a trialist earlier in the season. Innes Marr also made his debut from the bench, following his arrival from Lochgelly Albert. There was also a rare appearance from Ben Anthony. 

New boy Forster was involved in the action as early as the 6th minute as he ran at the hosts defence, but he was unable to beat Sutherland with his shot. Darrell Anthony then headed over from a corner and from another set piece Dan McBay hit the side netting with his attempt. There was a scare for Shippy in the 25th minute when a free kick was missed by the defence, however, they were able to regroup and clear the danger. More good work in the 27th minute from Forster set up a chance for Jordan Hunter but he was denied by a good save from Sutherland. Stirling took the lead in the 36th minute when the Shippy defence failed to deal with a floated corner and Farrell’s looping header found the back of the net. Shipyard still maintained their dominance despite falling behind and Hunter just failed to get on the end of a Forster cross. The diminutive Forster was involved in everything as he linked with McBay to set up Jordan Galloway whose strike was saved. Forster dragged a shot wide in what was the last action of the first half. 

Okupnik saved low down at his near post in the 48th minute before he saw his side equalise in the 65th minute. A long ball from McBay saw Gibb outpace the Stirling defence and Shippy’s top scorer showed great composure as he netted the leveller as described previously. The Students saw a free-kick attempt come back off the bar as they looked to regain the lead, then Shipyard substitute Cammy Bell saw his fierce net bound strike pushed round the post though remarkably a goal kick was awarded. We then had that controversial goal awarded despite Shipyard protestations that Dobson was clearly offside, however, the referee was adamant that someone, goodness knows who, played him onside. Bauld was sent off for his legitimate complaints. Okupnik pulled off a good save with his legs in the dying moments of the game but Shippy were unable to create another opportunity to grab a draw, which would have been the least they deserved.  Manager Lee Richardson said after the match “You can’t legislate for decisions like that. I felt we never got much the whole game, however, it’s hard to deal with these kind of things and I have sympathy for my players and their frustrations. I thought Stuart had an excellent game tonight was unlucky on several occasions.” 

Next Saturday we travel to Blairwood Park to face Oakley United for another vital league match. Kick off is at 2.30pm. 

Stirling University: A. Sutherland; T. Martin (J. Mitchell 92’); J. Wyles; J. Farrell; O. Hunter; C. Myles; R. Munro; R. Mann (E. Spatz 63’); A. Leese (D. Paterson 81’); L. Dobson (R. Robinson 92’); B. Craig-Hislop (J. McCann 81’). 

Burntisland Shipyard: K. Okupnik; D. Brockie (I. Marr 66’); E. Jowitt (C.  Bell 63’); E. Bauld; M. James; D. McBay; S. Forster; D. Anthony (K. Beard 89’); M. Gibb; J. Galloway (B. Anthony 63’); J. Hunter (B. Kerr 89’). Unused Subs: K. Ritchie & K. Crielly. 

Referee: S. Gilchrist.