The Binos travelled to Meadowbank Stadium to face Edinburgh City following a strong win over Rangers B on Tuesday night.
Steven Whittaker handed Robert Duffy a start in goal, while Youth Development player Evan Samuel was named among the substitutes. Edinburgh started the fixture strongly, with Stirling’s defence struggling to keep the hosts at bay during a difficult opening half. The Binos returned after the break looking much more composed, with goals from Lucas Fyfe and Russell McLean giving Stirling something to show for an improved second-half performance.
Five minutes into the match, Stirling conceded the opener. Walker’s cross took a touch off the bottom of Banner’s boot before falling to Lawson, who was able to tap home.
Edinburgh continued to put the Binos’ defence under pressure, with Walker twice going close to finding a second inside the opening ten minutes, but Stirling managed to prevent the hosts from extending their advantage.
Banner had Stirling’s first opportunity of the afternoon when Mullin’s corner found him in the centre of the box. His effort narrowly missed the target, going just over the crossbar.
The hosts were then awarded a penalty after McNab was adjudged to have handled the ball. Jarvies stepped up and sent his effort beyond Duffy and into the back of the net to make it 2–0 around the 20-minute mark.
Due to injury, Keir Foster replaced Ricky Waugh shortly afterwards.
Too much space in the centre then allowed Foster to strike from outside the box, extending Edinburgh’s advantage to three with just 25 minutes played.
City continued to control proceedings as Stirling struggled to find a way back into the match. Walker was given space on the right and made it 4–0 with around 15 minutes of the first half remaining.
After several attempts from Stirling to create an opening at the other end, Edinburgh’s quick counter-attack caught the Binos out and allowed Lawson to score his second of the afternoon in the 41st minute.
Half-time: Edinburgh City 5–0 Stirling Albion
Stirling replaced Zeke Cameron with Kevin Waugh at the break as Whittaker looked for a response in the second half. Edinburgh City also made a change, with Evan Glasgow replacing Josh Grigor.
Foster grabbed his second of the afternoon in the 53rd minute, working the ball from a tight angle on the left before finding a way through the Stirling defence to make it six.
The Binos looked much more composed after the break and began to enjoy more possession. McLean attempted to lift an effort over Weir as Stirling searched for their first goal of the afternoon.
Mullin then won a corner for Stirling in the 57th minute. The resulting delivery eventually found Fyfe, who capitalised on a mistake from Weir to pull one back for the Binos.
Less than a minute later, Lawson completed his hat-trick for Edinburgh to restore the hosts’ six-goal advantage. Jason Jarvies was then replaced by Tommy North around the hour mark.
Stirling were awarded a penalty shortly afterwards, with McLean stepping up and converting to score the Binos’ second of the afternoon.
The visitors continued to push forward and were rewarded again in the 67th minute. Mullin’s corner found McLean, who headed beyond Weir for his second of the match and Stirling’s third. Three second-half goals highlighted a much-improved display from the Binos after the break.
Stirling made a double substitution in the 72nd minute, with Robin Raine and Russell McLean replaced by Harry Wright and Jordan Allan.
With less than ten minutes remaining, Edinburgh replaced Lennon Walker and Innes Lawson with Callum Brodie and Casey Bunker.
Stirling kept Edinburgh at bay during the closing stages and continued searching for another goal. Banner came close to adding a fourth, but his effort flew over the crossbar before City had the final opportunities of the afternoon.
Full-time: Edinburgh City 7–3 Stirling Albion
Stirling Albion
Starting XI: Duffy, Thomas, McNab, Banner, McLean, Mullin (C), Fyfe, Raine, Hutchison, Dobbie, Cameron.
Unused substitutes: McNeil, Laird, Denham, Smith, Samuel.
Goalscorers: Fyfe (57’), McLean (61’, 67’).
Edinburgh City
Starting XI: Weir, McGinn, Leitch, Walker, Jarvies, Lawson, Waugh, Aiken, Rowe, McGregor (C).
Unused substitutes: Dowie, Pitt.
Goalscorers: Lawson (5’, 41’, 58’), Jarvies (19’), Foster (26’, 53’), Walker (31’).
