Stirling Albion:- Hogarth, Roycroft, Forsyth, McNally, Graham, Aitken, Wilson, Bell, Trialist(Cashmore), Trialist(Cramb) and O’Brien
Subs:- Hay, Devine and Christie(gk)

Dumbarton:- Grindlay, Trialist(Ferry), Brittain, Canning, McCann, Gentile, Borris, Trialist(Connell), McNaught, McQuilken and Boyle.
Subs:- Dornan, McDevitt and Ballantyne(gk)

Stirling Albion started the defence of the Stirlingshire Cup, which they have won for the past 3 seasons, when they entertained Dumbarton at Forthbank Stadium. The Binos started with a 3-5-2 formation, possibly with the opening league match of the season in mind as both Forsyth and Devine are suspended for the Ayr match. The rules of the competition allow each team to play 2 trialists and the Binos opted to play the striking partnership of Cramb and Cashmore as trialists.The visitors had former Bino Mark Canning in their line up whilst their management team has an old favourite from the Annfield days, Jim Clark, as assistant.

The match got off to an unfortunate start when the Dumbarton trialist full back, Ferry, had to be stretchered off with a serious looking leg injury after he and Bell went for a 50/50 ball. McDevitt came on for the Sons. The half only really came to life in the final few minutes and it was Dumbarton who deservedly took the lead in injury time when Boyle was on hand to put the ball into the net after Hogarth had blocked a McNaught shot.
The Binos made 2 changes at the interval with Graham and McNally being replaced by Hay and Devine. The Binos reverted to a 4-4-2 formation.
The Binos showed more urgency in the second half, possibly mindful that they had to win, either in 90 minutes, or on penalties, to have any chance of progressing to the final.
However, Dumbarton were still a threat and Boyle shot inches over after 51 minutes. Just after the hour mark, O’Brien burst through and elected to shoot when he had options to pass to Cashmore. Grindlay then brought off a fine save to tip a Cashmore header over the bar.
The Binos equalised in 66 minutes when Cashmore turned and sent a 20 yard shot into Grindlay’s top right hand corner. The Binos continued to press forward but were denied time after time by the nearside assistant flagging for offside though some of the decisions looked very close.
The match ended 1-1 and we went straight to a penalty shoot out.
Devine netted first for the Binos whilst Boyle shot wide for the Sons. Cramb and Aitken for the Binos and McQuilken and Brittain for Dumbarton then scored to make the score 3-2. Forsyth converted the Binos’ 4th penalty leaving substitute Dornan having to score to keep the shoot out alive. Hogarth saved Dornan’s poor effort to make the final score 4-2.
The Binos will have to play much better on Thursday against Alloa if they are to make it to the final.
Cashmore won the sponsor’s Man of the Match award.