Match Report
The table read 18th (East Stirlingshire, 18 pts) against 16th (Hearts U21, 29 pts), 11 points apart. East Stirlingshire had been over-performing their table position on recent form: 10th in the league over the last five rounds against 18th overall. Scoring rates set the scale: East Stirlingshire 1.41 scored and 2.76 conceded per game, Hearts U21 1.24 and 2.26, with the league averaging 1.83.
5 games without a win framed Hearts U21's arrival.
The sides have met 5 times in the GioScore results database: 0 wins for East Stirlingshire, 2 draws and 3 for Hearts U21, at 4.8 goals per meeting. Home advantage has meant little here: 40% of the meetings went to the host. Expect goals on precedent — three or more in 80% of the meetings, and both sides scored in 100%.
The match was played at Ochilview Park (capacity 6,000). On the scoreboard, East Stirlingshire led 3-0 at the break; 3 second-half goals set the final 4-2.
Goal scorers
East Stirlingshire: Che Campbell (4'), Che Campbell (47'), Stephen O'Neill (13'), Fin Malcolm (6') · Hearts U21: S. Wilson (58'), J. Radcliffe (74')
Key stats
Possession: East Stirlingshire 53% · Hearts U21 47% · Total shots: 14-15 · On target: 10-7 · Corners: 5-5