Well County Cup glory is not to be for our Under 15 side this season. But they can take good heart after putting in a battling display against their older opponents that belied the age difference between the two teams.

The Whites started with the same eleven who were so successful against Grimsby side Healing Hotspur last week. Yet it was the visitors who started the brightest, being first to challenges and generally quicker to and on the ball than the Whites lads. Clarke was being left a bit exposed by clever build up play down the Barrowby right. Manager Wentworth quickly reacting to the threat by moving Grimes closer to his full back and getting Wilkinson over to act as a screen for the back four.

Down the Barrowby left, Whites right back Dennis, aided by Wideman Bailey were having their work cut out by the 6'3 winger. If danger did manifest itself on Wentworths goal, the imperious Barnsdale , aided by Marsh, was there to clear to see the danger out. For 20 minutes though it was one way traffic as the Whites struggled to cope with the onslaught. But cope they did and finally managed to launch an attack of their own.

From this attack the Whites won a corner and sent up the big men. Sadly inexperience kicked in and the defence wasn't set up properly to foil a quick clearance and Barrowby breakaway. The ball was cleared from our corner quickly and Dennis was beaten by the 6'3 centre forward to a header. The flick on left Wilkinson and Clarke struggling to catch the left winger who raced into the box to confidently score past Wentworth.

It was no more than the visitors deserved yet there was an air of frustration at such a cheap goal being given away. Yet despite a series of dangerous attacks and corners. The Whites gained in confidence as they began to defend as if their lives depended upon it. Barnsdale was on the end of every cross, if not winning his header, pressurising his opponent into a weaker header than perhaps they expected. Shots were being closed down on the edge of the box as the Whites determined to gamely battle on.

Then a dangerous corner was swung in. Wentworth made a good save, clawing a header out from under his bar only for the ball to fall at a forwards feet to scuff the ball home. 2-0 to the visitors.
Again the Whites pride came through, Keeley battling like a Trojan to get some good ball forward to Bambro. Bailey was seeing some success as his powerful running and trickery caused the Barrowby left sided players problems. Arter began to get more involved in the competitive side of the game. Battling for everything and getting more and more involved in helping the midfield out as much as was humanely possible.

The half time whistle brought to an end a game more reminiscent of an attack versus defence training exercise. The Whites now needed some spark to get Bambro on the ball and start attacking themselves.

HT 0-2

Manager Wentworth decided to try Dennis in centre mid taking Wilkinson off with Kelham on at right back. The visitors again started on top but the Whites lads had found a system to defend against their quicker and bigger opponents and it seemed to be working. Bambro finally found an opportunity to jinx his way past the combatative Barrowby centre halves,racing away but his shot just flashed past the far post.

Bailey again beat his man and went on a powerful jinxing run down the right as the game changed from the 80/20 of the first half to a more 60/40 in favour of Barrowby. Clarke, and Grimes worked one move down the left. Dennis beat a couple of men but failed to find a quality pass. The pass was intercepted, and from what had looked like a promising Whites attack deep in the Barrowby half. Good work by barrowbys centre mid put the big centre forward away.

There was some confusion as the linesman appeared to flag. Whites lads stopped, barrowbys forward didn't, and keeper Wentworth was beaten in the tackle and the ball rolled into the Whites net 0-3.

You couldn't argue over the score line yet the third goal had come during the Whites best spell of the game. It was 'into the breech once more' time for the young United boys as their character was now to be tested. Tackles began to fly in. Every ball was contested with everything the lads had. Arter was winning a tackle, then as the ball was picked up by a Barrowby player he was in again getting a block in again. It was infectious. Keeley was battling through the challenges, and if the Whites defence came under pressure Barnsdale would head clear or Marsh, Kelham or Clarke would deal with any threat.

Bambro again found himself on goal from Dennis' through ball. But his shot was cleared off the line. Mitchell came on for marsh who was rightly applauded off for his efforts. Coates came on for Grimes with fifteen to go. With ten minutes left Barrowby were awarded a penalty after Mitchell was perhaps harshly judged to have fouled his man. 0-4. Dennis was booked along with the Barrowby centre midfielder as United raised the physicality levels. But despite the valiant efforts by Barnsdale, Mitchell, and Kelham. Barrowby grabbed two late goals to finish with a convincing 0-6 win.

You couldn't argue at the 6-0 score line but the general feeling amongst the staff and squad was that the team had made a Stirling effort at battling their older, bigger and faster opponents. Next Sunday's cup game against Rustons at Ashby Avenue will tell us more about the lessons learned today. But well played, take it on the chin and move on with confidence!

Wentworth, Dennis, marsh, Barnsdale, Clarke, Bailey, Wilkinson, Keeley, (capt) grimes, Arter, Bambro
Subs: Kelham, Mitchell, Coates.

Referee: Alastair Hayes