Both sides faced each other a few weeks ago in the Lowland League Cup, with Gala Fairydean Rovers winning 2-0. The league fixture earlier this season finished with the same score and outcome.

University of Stirling currently sit in 8th place with 43 points from their 29 games played – made up of 12 wins, seven draws, and ten defeats.

Uni have drawn their last three 90 minutes of football – 1-1 with Dunbar United (losing on penalties), 2-2 with Cowdenbeath, and 0-0 with Caley Braves.

Gala Fairydean Rovers currently sit in 16th place with 28 points from their 30 games played – made up of eight wins, four draws, and 18 defeats.

Since their 2-0 win over Stirling Uni a few weeks ago, GFR come into this having lost five games in a row – conceding 22 goals and scoring six.

Last time both sides met, Linlithgow Rose kept all three points at Prestonfield – winning 3-1.

University of Stirling currently sit in 7th place with 38 points from their 25 games played – made up of 11 wins, five draws, and nine defeats.

Uni have lost two of their last eight competitive games – including their recent 2-0 defeat to Berwick Rangers. Four wins and two draws make up the other results.

Linlithgow Rose currently sit in 8th place with 37 points from their 23 games played – made up of ten wins, seven draws, and six defeats.

The Rosey Posey have one win in 2024 – defeating Edinburgh University 5-1. A 2-1 defeat to East Stirlingshire, 3-0 defeats to both GFR and Albion Rovers, and a 2-2 draw with Celtic B make up the other 2024 results.

Last time both sides met, the points were shared with the game ending 2-2 at Shielfield Park.

University of Stirling currently sit in 7th place with 38 points from their 24 games played – made up of 11 wins, four draws, and nine defeats.

Uni have lost only one game from their last seven (4-2 to table-toppers, East Kilbride), and come into this with back-to-back 2-1 victories over Hearts B and Cowdenbeath.

Berwick Rangers currently sit in 11th place with 30 points from their 25 games played – made up of eight wins, six draws, and 11 defeats.

Since their 3-3 draw with Gala Fairydean Rovers, The Wee Gers are on a four-game winning streak – with league wins over Tranent, Civil Service Strollers, and Broomhill, as well as a Lowland League Cup victory (via penalties) over Caledonian Braves.

Stirling University climbed to 7th in the league as they defeated Cowdenbeath at Forthbank Stadium.

The home side has been on great form since the turn of the year with a win over Hearts B at the weekend. Cowdenbeath, however, has struggled in recent weeks, suffering heavily against high-flying East Kilbride in their last match – losing 6-0 in the South Challenge Cup.

Despite Stirling University creating the better chances in the opening 15 minutes, Cowdenbeath managed to get the breakthrough with Zac Butterworth dribbling past Yan Gromov Godik and slotting the ball in the opposite corner of the net.

This helped the Blue Brazil gain a larger presence in the match and build more chances to try and double their lead.

With the game getting closer to half-time, it was end-to-end entertainment from both sides as they tried to end the half on a positive note.

However, in the 42nd minute, Stirling University got themselves level after a great strike from James Stokes found its way past Josh Blair.

The second half started similar to the first in which both sides battled hard, with more opportunities being produced but the game remained level.

With the game being evenly contested, it looked as though both sides would be leaving with a point each. But Stirling University had other ideas as they found their second goal.

A scramble in the Cowdenbeath box helped Stokes earn his second goal of the night and put his side ahead.

With the game reaching a close, Cowdenbeath threw everything they had, leading to a potential equaliser. However, the Stirling University ‘keeper pulled off a great save to keep the header out, a save which earned his side the eventual three points.

Chris Geddes, manager of Stirling University, discussed his sides performance in such a tough battle.

He said: “Tough one, first 15 minutes we had some really good chances but we didn’t punish them.

“In the second half, for about 25-30 minutes, I felt we bossed it and we were really good.

“Cowdenbeath made some changes and put more men up front so we had to change but I thought some of the defending was excellent, especially at the corners because they were putting in some good balls in.”

Both sides return to league action this weekend with Stirling University and Cowdenbeath hosting Berwick Rangers and East Kilbride respectively.

Kyle Murphy.

University of Stirling have won the previous three meetings with East Stirlingshire – 1-0 and 2-0 in last season’s South Challenge Cup and Lowland League campaign, as well as the 3-2 league victory earlier this season.

University of Stirling currently sit in 7th place with 24 points from their 16 games played – made up of seven wins, three draws, and six defeats.

The Uni come into this with back-to-back victories, defeating Gretna 2008 and Broomhill 3-1 and 4-0.

East Stirlingshire currently sit in 16th place with 13 points from their 17 games played – made up of three wins, four draws, and 10 defeats.

Since their 2-1 win over Celtic B, The Shire come into this with five consecutive losses under their belt – including 4-3 defeats to Broomhill and Bo’ness United.