Stirling Albion:- Christie, Hay, Devine, Graham, Roycroft, Malseed (Tomana 62), Wilson, Bell (Aitken 59), Cashmore, Shields and Taggart. Unused subs:- Shaddick, Bryce and Hogarth

Falkirk:- Higgins, Arfield, Scobbie, Dodd, Uras, McStay, Lima, Craig, Gow (Stewart), McManus (Moffat) and Latapy (Moutinho). Unused subs:- Barclay and Rodrigues.

Whilst it may lack the glamour of the Champions League, or even the Challenge Cup, the Stirlingshire Cup probably represents the most realistic chance of Stirling Albion winning a cup. As winners of the competition for the last 3 seasons, they were attempting to emulate a feat last achieved by East Stirling way back in the 1880’s, by winning the competition for a 4th successive year. However second half goals by Moutinho and Craig were enough to see a strong Falkirk side capture the silverware though a late flurry by the Binos, culminating in a goal from Ian Cashmore with 5 minutes to go, saw an exciting end to an otherwise forgettable match. In their defence, the players were not helped by the conditions which saw heavy rain fall for the whole match, making good football very difficult.
The resources at Forthbank are stretched with a small squad further depleted with injuries but Allan Moore decided to give starting places to players who have not featured on a regular basis so far this season. Therefore, we saw Christie in goals, Graham and Devine in defence, a first sighting for the home fans of Irishman Malseed in midfield along side Wilson, whilst Cashmore partnered Shields up front.
There was very little to enthuse the fans in the first half and, perhaps, the best news of the evening was the announcement that, in the event of a draw after 90 minutes, the match would go straight to a penalty shoot out.
Falkirk broke the deadlock just after the hour mark when Moutinho sidefooted a cross from Gow past Christie. The same player almost made it two but Christie got a touch to deny the Portugese player. At the other end, a determined run by Tomana saw him put in a great cross to the back post. Unfortunately, it fell to one of the smallest players in the Albion side but Higgins still had to make a great save to tip Taggart’s header over the bar.
Falkirk pressed for a second goal which would kill off the game and Craig almost got it when he latched on to a through ball but Christie was quick off his mark to save. Unfortunately, the young keeper was not so fortunate 2 minutes later when he was again quick to come out but the ball broke to Craig who had the easiest of chances to lob the ball into the empty net to make it 2-0 to the Bairns.
The Binos pulled one back when Cashmore was on hand to score after an Aitken shot had rebounded off the cross bar but, despite throwing everyone forward, the equaliser didn’t come and the referee managed to blow for time up, though his whistle slipped out of his mouth, probably caused by the rain which had become heavier.
Whilst any defeat is disappointing, on balance, Falkirk just about deserved their victory. However, most Binos’ fans will acknowledge that promotion is the main target for this season and it is heartening to see that the Binos were more than a match for their SPL opponents. However, congratulations must go to Falkirk for winning the cup for the first time since the 2002/03 season.