University into Scottish Cup Second Round after eight goal thriller under the lights
Chris Geddes' side to play Edinburgh City in the next round
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University of Stirling Football Club has progressed to the Second Round of the men’s Scottish Cup after knocking Burntisland Shipyard for six in their opening match of the 2025/26 campaign.
With the match tied 2-2 at the break, the students scored four goals without reply in the second half to give them an impressive 6-2 win over their Fife opponents. Finn Moffett and Nathan Tallen scored two goals each, and Alex Jeanes and Sam Martin added a couple more.
Chris Geddes’ side will now play Edinburgh City in the Second Round, as they bid to recreate their Scottish Cup form of the 2022/23 season which saw them make history and reach the last 32. The match will take place at the home of the SPFL League Two side – Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh – on the weekend of October 25-26.
University of Stirling captain Ben Heal strides through the Burntisland midfield, driving the team to victory.
Speaking after the match on Monday (September 29) evening, David Bond, Director of Performance Sport at the University of Stirling, Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence, said: “A huge congratulations to Chris and his players on a brilliant win under the floodlights, in front of a packed crowd at Forthbank.
“Commiserations to Burntisland, who put in a solid first half display – but our players were relentless in the second half and their determination paid off, sealing a convincing victory.
“We are delighted to make the Scottish Cup Second Round and are already eagerly anticipating our trip to the Capital to take on Edinburgh City in a few weeks’ time. I hope all those students, staff and members of the community who came out to show their support tonight will join us in Edinburgh for what promises to be another exciting chapter in the team’s Scottish Cup journey.”
The First Round match was played under the floodlights at Forthbank, in front of a packed crowd.
In 2022/23, the University became the first university side in more than 50 years to reach the last 32 of the Scottish Cup, Scotland's national cup competition. On that run, they beat Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale, Dunbar United and Albion Rovers. They went on to play a Fourth Round tie in front of 5,000 spectators against Premiership side Dundee United at Tannadice.
The University of Stirling turned out 6-2 winners, setting up a Second Round match with Edinburgh City.
The University of Stirling is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. Athletes have access to world-class facilities, including a 50-metre pool, unrivalled outdoor space, and state-of-the-art strength and conditioning suites. In addition to its coaching and facilities, Stirling’s International Sports Scholarship Programme – one of the largest high-performance programmes in the UK – offers athletes funding support, academic flexibility, equipment and kit. It has supported hundreds of athletes since its inception in 1981 – with many competing on the world stage, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games.
Core sports include football, golf, tennis, swimming, triathlon, rugby and curling, while individual scholarships cover all Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports. Read more about sports scholarships at the University of Stirling.
For more information on University of Stirling Football Club, visit their website