Football: Strathclyde University Round-Up

Wednesday 16th October

All three Strathclyde teams travelled to Edinburgh for cup fixtures against teams in higher divisions, but the “underdogs” showed the capital sides what teams from Glasgow can do. SUFC 1s faced Edinburgh 2s, who were playing in the top BUCS league last season, and were expecting their biggest challenge yet, especially with starters Euan Wheeler and Matt Millar unavailable. SUFC met this challenge with what a few players described as the best first team performance they’ve seen in years. James Aitken opened the scoring, slotting under the onrushing goalkeeper, but SUFC were pegged back shortly before half time when a free header was saved by Ewan Mowat, but eventually prodded home for an equaliser. This was the first that SUFC had conceded this season, but they responded a mere minute later with Aitken scoring a carbon copy second. After half time, MoM Hne Wilson forced a third home after he and Rob West had seen attempts saved, before Lindsay Murdoch powered in a header and Brandon Longcake showcased his skill; jinking past three Edinburgh players before smashing the ball home for 5-1. A great performance and result keeps up SUFC’s 100% start, and they’ll look to continue that form at Fortress Stepps next week against Stirling 3s.

SUFC 2s faced Heriot-Watt 3s: the side that had beaten them to the title the previous season. SUFC have been known to start slowly over the years, but not in this game where the visitors found themselves 3-0 within half an hour, and that was how the scoreline remained until full time. Fraser Ferguson got the first two; stabbing in a low cross at the back post for 1-0, and rifling a deflected cross high into the net for the second. Jordan Morrison, who had only scored twice in two years at the club coming into this season, added his second in as many weeks, powering in a Robin Barr corner for 3-0. The 2s face Aberdeen 2s at Stepps next week, looking to add another 3 points to their league campaign, and gain a measure of revenge for SUFC 3s, beaten by Aberdeen in the season opener.

SUFC 3s came home with arguably the result of the day, with their 0-0 draw with Heriot-Watt 2s. Although without a point in the league so far, the 3s will take much confidence from the draw, as their opponents currently sit top of the division above. A flowing first half saw SUFC creating a variety of openings through some nice football, getting joy exploiting the flanks, and restricting Heriot-Watt to long range efforts. The second half was scrappier, with SUFC attempting to soak up pressure and counter, but neither side could find the winner, and a scoreless draw seemed fair in the end. Callum Gwynne put in a MoM performance for Tam McLaughlin’s side, who seem to be settling into the 3-5-2 formation, as many also played for McLaughlin’s GDSML side, who picked up their first clean sheet last weekend. A solid performance and clean sheet sets up the 3s nicely for the trip to Stirling 4s next week, the only other team in the division yet to score a point.

Wednesday, 23rd October

As with last week, it was another good set of BUCS results for SUFC. SUFC 1s welcomed Stirling 3s to Fortress Stepps, but were not anywhere near at their best, perhaps suffering a hangover after their emphatic display the previous week. SUFC only really produced their usual slick football in small patches throughout but, despite a few scares, dealt with Stirling attacks without too much trouble. Tensions were running high as the home team couldn’t find a way through, some spats were breaking out in the SUFC ranks, and goalkeeper Ewan Mowat, in his final BUCS game for SUFC, nearly picked up his first ever BUCS booking after havign words with the referee. Andy Thomson showed his mean streak at half time, telling his side how disappointed he was in the performance, but even this didn’t elicit a huge response. With 15 minutes left, Ali Gillies stepped up 25 yards from goal and crashed one of his vintage free kicks into the bottom corner – cue wild celebrations in the Strathclyde ranks. This was the end of the scoring, and SUFC were more than happy with the 3 points, even if the performance was under par. An emotional Mowat was, for once, lost for words at the end of his final game, as SUFC look towards next week’s Cup trip to Stirling 4s without the BUCS veteran.

SUFC 2s, buoyed by their resounding win at Heriot-Watt, were fired up for the visit of Aberdeen 2s, even without last week’s double hero Fraser Ferguson. This was evident as SUFC raced to a 2-0 lead before the 1s, on the adjacent pitch, had even kicked off. Boss Rab Paterson added the first, rounding the keeper, before his assistant Nathan Leicester headed in a second. For the second week running, SUFC were 3-0 up by half time, Mark McCormick powering in a header. Paterson rang the changes in the second half as SUFC took their foot off the gas, but they had time to add the fourth and final goal before the end. Shetlanders combined as centre half Jordan Morrison broke into the box to square for Martyn Stevenson to tap in for his first BUCS goal for the club. A stern test awaits SUFC 2s next week, as they welcome high flying Caley 1s, who have emerged as BUCS 3 title challengers, alongside SUFC 1s.

SUFC 3s grabbed their first League point against relegation rivals Stirling 4s. The 2-2 away draw, building on last week’s Cup draw, leaves SUFC hopeful that they can finish the job against Stirling in the home fixture. Another positive was the emergence of Sean Malone, with the striker bagging both goals and taking the MoM award. SUFC 3s – similar to the 2s – have a tough derby match at Fortress Stepps next week, with the visit of GU 2s, but will be looking for a good result after improved performances, and with GU sitting bottom of BUCS 3.”