Summary

  • First of eight Viaplay Cup second-round ties

  1. Goodnight!published at 22:05 British Summer Time 18 August 2023

    FT: Stirling Albion 1-2 Aberdeen

    After all that drama, it's Aberdeen who are the first name in the hat for the League Cup quarter-finals.

    Stirling Albion didn't make it easy for them though, and might just have won a few more regular fans at the Forthbank in the process. What a performance from Darren Young's side.

    We'll be back bright and early tomorrow to bring you the action from the remaining League Cup fixtures.

    See you then!

    Miovski celebrates his opening goal in the 'Aurora' Aberdeen kitImage source, SNS
  2. 'I knew how difficult tonight would be' - Robsonpublished at 22:00 British Summer Time 18 August 2023

    FT: Stirling Albion 1-2 Aberdeen

    Aberdeen manager Barry Robson tells BBC Scotland: "I knew how difficult the game was going to be. We let the players know that all week.

    "Credit to Stirling Albion, they're a team in great form. They brought everything to the game that I knew they would. The pitch was difficult, we couldn't move the ball very quickly. They obviously never watered it and rightly so, they're trying to win.

    "We've had a couple of bad results here over the years and we made sure we didn't do that tonight. We played with a strong team and tried to win it. That's us into the next round.

    "We won this Cup when I played here, and we had to beat Alloa on penalties. It's Cup football. Everybody wanted us to get beat tonight - we know that. They want to see an upset. Rightly so! That's the magic of the Cup."

    Barry Robson gesticulates on the touchlineImage source, SNS
  3. Young 'couldn't be any prouder'published at 21:55 British Summer Time 18 August 2023

    FT: Stirling Albion 1-2 Aberdeen

    Stirling Albion manager Darren Young tells BBC Scotland: "What a performance. We pushed for it in the last 20 minutes and were the team in the ascendancy. We're really disappointed to not get another goal, or get that penalty at the end.

    "Dale did great for us last season and same again this season. Another day, his shot might have gone in. We still felt we were in the game. I can't be any prouder of the players after that.

    "The fans know what to expect week in, week out. We gave a really good account of ourselves."

    Darren Young commiserates with Jordan McGregorImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Darren Young commiserates with Jordan McGregor

  4. 'Aberdeen never looked comfortable'published at 21:46 British Summer Time 18 August 2023

    FT: Stirling Albion 1-2 Aberdeen

    Willie Miller
    Former Aberdeen captain on BBC Sportsound

    Aberdeen had spells where they were controlling it, but there was large spells where they didn't. When you go two goals up, you should be able to defend set-pieces and not give away the kind of goal they gave away.

    The spirit and determination from Stirling was immense. The players can go home proud, the fans are proud I'm sure. Their time pushed Aberdeen to the final whistle.

    They had a number of chances before the goal, too. Aberdeen never looked that comfortable after Stirling scored. In fact, they looked very nervous and edgy.

    They didn't control anything. There was a lack of leadership, or players trying to calm things down. That tells you they were under pressure.

  5. McGinn lauds Stirling performancepublished at 21:43 British Summer Time 18 August 2023

    FT: Stirling Albion 1-2 Aberdeen

    Stephen McGinn
    Former St Mirren midfielder on BBC Sportsound

    Stirling can absolutely hold their heads high. You can see why they've only lost one game since last December, they play with so much spirit.

    Even in Aberdeen's two best spells of the match, when you thought Stirling's race was maybe run, they still had that spirit and quality to cause problems.

    The crowd were right behind them and they used that to give them energy and enthusiasm. They made Aberdeen work for that.

  6. FULL-TIME Stirling Albion 1-2 Aberdeenpublished at 21:36 British Summer Time 18 August 2023

    Stirling's late charge wasn't enough. Goals from Bojan Miovski and Leighton Clarkson are enough for the Premiership side, who advance to the League Cup quarter-finals.

    That certainly wasn't easy for the Dons. After Greig Spence's header in the 75th minute, the Binos pushed and pushed for an equaliser and gave Aberdeen plenty of scares.

    Barry Robson will be a relieved man. Reaction to come.

    Leighton Clarkson is hugged by Graeme Shinnie after scoring the winnerImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Leighton Clarkson is hugged by Graeme Shinnie after scoring the winner

  7. Big penalty shout!published at 89 mins

    Stirling Albion 1-2 Aberdeen

    Deary me, it's all happening. Stirling get a corner and there's a massive shout for a penalty after the ball comes in, as Ross Davidson is wiped out as he fires over the bar from close range.

    David Munro isn't interested, but Shayden Morris might feel a touch lucky. That gave the referee a decision to make.

  8. Albion look for levellerpublished at 87 mins

    Stirling Albion 1-2 Aberdeen

    Stirling are still coming forward. Jack MacKenzie gets pinned by Robert Thomson, he flicks on looking for Greig Spence but Angus MacDonald shepherds the ball back to the keeper.

    Jack Leith now comes off, he's replaced by Josh Cooper. Can he be the man to score a famous leveller?

  9. Postpublished at 82 mins

    Stirling Albion 1-2 Aberdeen

    Aberdeen make a change now, replacing Duk with summer signing Ester Sokler - the Slovenian attacker.

    Barry Robson's side are hanging on a little now. The atmosphere at Forthbank is exceptional, they're spurring on their Binos.

  10. Postpublished at 80 mins

    Stirling Albion 1-2 Aberdeen

    Jack MacKenzie is forced to defend a cross brilliantly as Stirling Albion come forward again.

    This is a terrific comeback from the hosts, Lewis Milne is driving them forward and Aberdeen are on the ropes a little.

  11. 'Unacceptable' Dons defencepublished at 76 mins

    Stirling Albion 1-2 Aberdeen

    Willie Miller
    Former Aberdeen captain on BBC Sportsound

    It's unacceptable defending from Aberdeen.

    Do Stirling Albion deserve it? I think they do, they've put a lot into this game.

    But it should have been dealt with much better. As far as Aberdeen are concerned, it's poor defensive work.

    Greig Spence (left) high-fives Cameron Clark (centre) with Jordan McGregor (right)Image source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Greig Spence (left) high-fives Cameron Clark (centre) with Jordan McGregor (right)

  12. goal

    GOAL - Stirling Albion 1-2 Aberdeenpublished at 75 mins

    Greig Spence

    Welllllll now! The substiute Spence gets it, glancing his header in as Aberdeen's defence tucks in for an early night.

    We have a Cup tie on our hands again!

    Stirling goalImage source, BBC Sport
  13. Postpublished at 72 mins

    Stirling Albion 0-2 Aberdeen

    Triple change for Darren Young, as his Stirling side appear to be heading out of the League Cup. Aaron Dunsmore, Greig Spence and Robert Thomson all replace Dale Carrick, Kieran Moore & Kyle Banner.

    Jordan Wyles is also on - and he forces a superb save from Kelle Roos. The Binos send a reminder - they're still here.

  14. Ziiiiiiiiiiing!published at 70 mins

    Stirling Albion 0-2 Aberdeen

    Leighton Clarkson zips his shot in for Aberdeen's secondImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    Leighton Clarkson zips his shot in for Aberdeen's second

    Graeme Shinnie hugs Leighton ClarksonImage source, SNS
    Image caption,

    'C'mere you'

  15. Postpublished at 65 mins

    Stirling Albion 0-2 Aberdeen

    Willie Miller
    Former Aberdeen captain on BBC Sportsound

    It's great work again by Nicky Devlin down the right-hand side, too, to get the cross in initially.

    It's a good save from Currie initially, but Clarkson is just so good. He takes it so calmly and cooly, and rattles it. It's not good fortune - he's looking for the roof of the net.

  16. Postpublished at 64 mins

    Stirling Albion 0-2 Aberdeen

    Stephen McGinn
    Former St Mirren midfielder on BBC Sportsound

    It's a brilliant finish. Barry Robson changed to a 4-3-3 and brought Duk out onto the left. It's something different for the Stirling Albion defence to think about.

    The ball is bobbling about, Clarkson still has so much to do, but it's such a clean strike.

  17. goal

    GOAL - Stirling Albion 0-2 Aberdeenpublished at 63 mins

    Leighton Clarkson

    Another for the Leighton Clarkson collection!

    Duk's cross is blocked and comes to Clarkson, who leathers it in with his left-foot, off the crossbar, and it crashes down behind the line.

    Aberdeen goalImage source, BBC Sport
  18. Aberdeen make changespublished at 61 mins

    Stirling Albion 0-1 Aberdeen

    It's been a struggle for Aberdeen in the second-half and Barry Robson makes a few changes.

    Slobodan Rubezic is one of those coming off. Described as "rattled" by Willie Miller on comms, he has lost his composure. He's replaced by Angus MacDonald.

    Dante Polvara also comes off, swapped with Connor Barron.

  19. Postpublished at 54 mins

    Stirling Albion 0-1 Aberdeen

    Willie Miller
    Former Aberdeen captain on BBC Sportsound

    If Aberdeen continue to defend the way they're defending, this Cup tie certainly isn't dead. It's very naive, poor defending from Aberdeen that has allowed Stirling Albion another opportunity.

    When it's finely poised like this, you've got to play with the head and not take any chances.

  20. Albion start brightly!published at 50 mins

    Stirling Albion 0-1 Aberdeen

    Dale Carrick is in behind again... Slobodan Rubezic gets a tackle in but Carrick bounces backs to his feet and forces a save from Kelle Roos.

    If the Albion striker had squared to Kieran Moore, he'd have been clean through.