End of First Semester
I thought that doing weekly blogs would be an achievable goal, but due to uni work, work and other commitments, finding the time is more difficult that first believed. It’s approaching exam period, and both teams are well into their season. The first team have won all of their games apart from one. The one defeat came from the fixture which is argued to be one the hardest of the season, away to Edinburgh 1’s. The 2-0 defeat came after their 100% start to the season, with convincing and significantly large wins. Bouncing back after reading week with a 2-1 win against Glasgow the team looked to get back to winning ways. The team were also scheduled to play RGU at home, but the away team weren’t able to field a team as it was their reading week.
The second team have had both positive and negative results in the last couple of weeks. Defeats from Aberdeen at home, a controversial defeat against Strathclyde. A couple of very dodgy decisions, which I have photographic evidence of, THE BALL WAS OVER THE LINE, twice I might add. But anyway looking forward is important, bouncing back the 2’s won against St. Andrews 3’s, 4-0. A very professional performance, with very good football played. Goals came from Beth McLellan, Olivia McMahon, and Amy Rafferty with the brace. The mood was lifted in the camp, as we are now into the next round of the cup, the 2’s go into their next league game motivated after a great cup win. A great start to the cup run, hopefully taking inspiration from last season’s non stop drama cup run last season. With this momentum they recorded a 3-0 win against St. Andrews 2’s.
Futsal at the weekend saw our first team win the Scottish league for the second year in a row, it was the tightest win imaginable, as the first team won the league by one goal, as Edinburgh were level on points. In their last fixture our first team beat Dundee 22-2, with the league on the line, the goals came thick and fast. The ex Edinburgh player Ann Taylor scored the decisive goal in the end which got us over the line. From an ex Edinburgh player to a Stirling legend. The team effort was tremendous, and with the futsal league now won, the futsal first team and second team are looking to progress in the British cup. Last season our first team got tot the final and now the league is in the bag, all their efforts will be on going one better this season. Shout out to our club president, Kim Guthrie who took a sore one at Futsal, fracturing her jaw, only just after coming back from a concussion. And has now taken a sore one to the ankle in the Wolves game and cannot play for a couple of weeks.
The seconds team's game away to Aberdeen had been cancelled due to the weather. So the only team in action were the first team away to Wolverhampton. A well fought game, with our team showing their quality and clinical finishing to win 4-1, with our first fixture in the British cup this season. Goals came from Katie Morris, Rachel Donaldson and Hayley Sinclair. Opening the scoring was Morris with a fantastic header into the left side netting, Wolves answered the goal with an equaliser not long after. The game was stopped by an injury, Guthrie taking a very nasty one to the ankle, very reckless challenge which wasn't penalised. Not long after Donaldson put us back in front, and deservedly so. Stirling continued to knock on the door before half time, but went into the break a goal ahead. The opening of the second half was just as intense as the end of the first. Clear penalties not given, Morris had her feet taken from her, from inside the box. It was only a matter of time before the third came. The team was playing some nice football, Sinclair and McKay playing some great football down the side, and Taylor had a magnificent effort from about 35 yards out, the keeper matching it with a great save. A left foot volley from Morris replicated the quality in which the team was showing, the goal was a bullet and it gave us some breathing space in the tie. Not long after Sinclair got on the score sheet with an absolute screamer. From around 25 yards out on the left hand side she received the ball from McKay after a failed free kick and leathered it into the left hand side of the goal. Full time in Wolves it was a momentous victory for out first, through to the next round of the British cup.
It’s hard to think we are so far into this semester already, with all our new recruits very much a core part of the club and fitting into the squads and the SULFC family. Big thank you to our very committed Ashleigh Symms, who wore the Stirling Uni mascot costume at our 3-0 home win the other week, top gal. Wishing her the best in her recovery from her back injury which is causing her some grief.
The Stirling University Premier team and Falkirk Ladies Reserves had their end of season awards night. A huge congrats to our very own Demi Falconer who picked up coaches Player of the season, after playing every single minute of the season, consistent performances all season in her first season for the club, it was very well deserved.
Another achievement which has to be recognised within our team was our very own Lucy Park getting her first international rugby cap for Scotland. Well done Lucy, you're an inspiration.
All players this season have had great performances, and contributed to the fantastic displays of football from both the first and second team. Our new president is truly racking up the goals, the first team top scorer has 15 so far with only a handful of games being played. Katy Morris and Beth McKay are the closest in the goal front behind Kim. Our new players, Katy Morris, Hayley Sinclair, Ann Taylor and Ruth Clark have all featured in the first team’s league games, adding a new dynamic and strength to the team. In our second team, Olivia McMahon grabbed her first goal for the University in the 4-0 cup win, her dominance in the box payed of with a belting goal. Emily Gray is also making an impact up front, as well as Amy Rafferty who has grabbed two braces now and is on target for the team most weeks. Regular starter Lauren Hill provides a calming influence in the middle of the park alongside veteran Beth McLellan, who has had a great season so far. Also a very big welcome back to regular football, Rebecca Zoltie, out with injury for such a long time, the very talented player is hoping to get back to her best in the coming weeks, and also strengthen the first team further.
Our socials have again lived up to expectation, as we all knew they would. With initiation being a complete success, everyone’s outfits were highly impressive. Glitter night was also a class night out, we made fubar sparkle. One of the most recent socials organised by our Fundraiser Lauren Eadie was also a great night, as we spent the start of the night at our new sponsors the Boozy Cow. Enjoying the quality food with very tasty, strong cocktails which they had on offer. Think everyone also enjoyed Ang and Jules’ quiz for the fresher’s, finding out all about our team, even though a lot of our team may not have wanted them to know quite everything they were told in the quiz, myself included. We look forward to our annual Christmas dinner night out which is upcoming just before the exams start. As there will be little time for nights out during this stressful time, I’m sure everyone will be out on the second of December to get into the festive spirit, with some great food, drink and company.
Good luck to everyone with their upcoming deadlines and exams, I’m sure everyone will do great. Have a great holiday season, enjoy spending it with your families, and enjoy the break from uni. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this semester, hope everyone is the same. All the best to the teams in their next couple of games, two teams one club.
Bleed Green.
Much love, Doc x
