by Michael Wicherek
USW NEEDED an extra time winner from Clayton Green to beat an in-form Stirling side and progress to the semi-final of the BUCS National Trophy.
The Welsh side now face local rivals Cardiff Metropolitan University on March 13.
Stirling were undefeated in 2019 going into the game. Green had been a driving force from midfield throughout the match, causing the visiting defence problems with his powerful running from deep. He deservedly got himself on the scoresheet to win the game for the hosts.
The match did not start so well for USW; Stirling asked most of the early questions with striker Blair Lyons blazing a volley over the bar early on.
Lyons threat
Lyons was a constant menace to the home team’s defence and can count himself unlucky to be on the losing side.
With Stirling beginning the game by pressing USW high up the pitch, USW looked to play more direct with Liam Williams, Louis Gerrard and Cameron Keetch all offering a threat in behind.
For the majority of the afternoon, Stirling struggled to cope with the direct ball and USW’s physicality with numerous chances created from some well worked set-piece routines.
The deadlock was broken 24 minutes in when a long throw again troubled the Scottish side who half cleared to Kane Owen. He lobbed the ball back in to a dangerous area when calamity unfolded. John Allan in the Stirling goal got caught in two minds and allowed the ball to bounce over him in the most unfortunate of circumstances.
Stirling almost replied instantly after a weak clearance by Ashley Morris was intercepted by Rory MacEwan, although the winger saw his chip drop wide, to the relief of the USW goalkeeper.
USW saw out the rest of the half untroubled and nearly went into the break two up following a spectacular strike from Keetch which flew narrowly over the bar.
The BUCS Premier North side drew level two minutes into the second half as the impressive Lyons slammed home the rebound after Morris denied Craig Brown.
The game became much more open in the second half with both teams threatening on the counter attack, Green going close with a left-footed shot that dragged agonisingly wide.
USW captain Owen continued to provide quality service and found Keetch who could not make clean contact with his header when well placed in the penalty area.
With just minutes remaining, Gerrard thought he had won the game with a fantastic header again from an Owen cross, however his effort flew just wide as the game ended 1-1 after 90 minutes.
Extra time
With legs tiring in extra time, the end-to-end nature of the match continued with some fine defending preventing the score being added to. Again, Lyons was the main threat for Stirling and an excellent block by Michael George stopped him from adding to his tally.
Angus Mailer squandered an excellent chance to put Stirling ahead in the second half of extra time, as he lashed his shot well over the bar and then Morris denied Lyons with an excellent save with his feet.
Stirling were made to pay for their misses as another set-piece caused them problems and Green reacted quickest to slam the ball home, although Stirling were left unhappy with the challenge on Allan in the lead up to the goal.
USW nearly put the game beyond doubt as a lightning-fast counter attack found substitute Helal Albaarini who could not take the chance. However it mattered not to USW as the final whistle blew, sparking scenes of celebration as USW set up a BUCS Trophy semi-final against local rivals Cardiff Met in two weeks time.
Man of the Match – Clayton Green
Barry Town United midfielder Green dominated in midfield and was box to box for the whole match, rounding off his performance with the winning goal.
Lineups:
USW: Ashley Morris, Miles John (Corey McKeary), Kane Owen, Joe Evans, Lewis Baldwin (Lee Baldock), David Thomas, Michael George, Clayton Green, Louis Gerrard, Cameron Keetch (Helal Albaarini), Liam Edwards
Unused Subs: Patrick Rysgaard, Travis Wood
Stirling: John Allan, Matthew Burrows, Alex Webb, Angus Mailer, Callum Downie, Thomas Cowley (Eadhann Miller), Lewis Hunter, Josh Emmott (Dominic Kane), Blair Lyons, Craig Brown, Rory MacEwan (Robbie McGale)
Unused Subs: Aidan Peden, Jamie Penker
Match Events:
24’ GOAL – Kane Owen 1-0
47’ GOAL – Blair Lyons 1-1
115’ GOAL – Clayton Green 2-1
