SCOTTISH CUP SECOND ROUND:Stirling Albion 6,Bo’ness Athletic 0
There was to be no cup shock at Forthbank as sensational Stirling hit Bo’ness Athletic for six to secure comfortable passage to the third round.
Stirling boss Alan Maybury took no chances with his team selection against the East of Scotland site – and that focus was rewarded with a professional display.
Dale Carrick’s early opener put the home side on easy street and they never looked like surrendering their advantage as they made it a perfect October.
Both sides traded shots in the early stages, Ross Nimmo scooping over for the visitors, while Adam Brown drove an effort wide of the left post.
But the Binos didn’t take long to get into their running as they opened the scoring on ten minutes.
Ricky Waugh swung in a cross from the right side and Dale Carrick was left unmarked on the penalty spot to plant a header beyond Fraser Currid.
There was a scare for Stirling on 23 minutes as confusion down the right saw Nimmo fire a shot from a narrow angle against Derek Gaston, before the hosts scrambled away the rebound.
Bo’ness went close to levelling the scoring just after the half hour when Scott Cameron charged down Ross McGeachie’s attempted clearance, but his shot flew past the post from 16 yards.
However, just as the seventh-tier side were working themselves into the match, Stirling delivered a sucker punch on 36 minutes.
Dale Hilson, making his first Binos start since the end of July, picked up an Alex Ferguson pass on the edge of the Athletic box and powered a low shot into the net from 12 yards.
Carrick was back in the goals five minutes later as the pacey James Graham powered down the Bo’ness right and cut back for the forward, who made no mistake.
It was 4-0 five minutes into the second half from the simplest of sources, Adam Brown’s right-sided corner met with a strong header from Josh Kerr.
Stirling were well on top now and Waugh was almost next to add his name to the scoresheet, nipping in from hesitant Bo’ness defending but his effort was blocked before Graham fired over the rebound.
The visitors almost had a consolation when Callum MacDonald’s attempted lob from 25 yards flew on to the top of the net after Gaston had to race out to block in front of ex-Bino Sean Heaver.
The rampant Binos made it five on the hour in spectacular fashion, sub Aaron Weir smashing a shot beyond Currid from 30 yards for his first senior goal.
Cammy McKinley was next to go close for Stirling against the tiring visitors, the forward pulling his shot wide of the target with one of his first touches in the match.
Busy Bo’ness keeper Currid was tested once again moments later, pushing away a stinging Alex Ferguson free-kick from wide on the left.
There was to be one final cherry to add to the cake as Stirling added a sixth on 88 minutes – another Graham cutback found Callum Crane at the edge of the area and he slammed home.
The final stages of the match understandably petered out as both managers emptied their benches – with Stirling happy to get ready for a big dust-up with League Two leaders East Fife next weekend.
Stirling – Gaston, McGeachie, Kerr (Dall 67′), Ferguson, Carrick (McKinley 67′), Brown (Knox 60′), Graham, Waugh (Wright 60′), Harkness (Weir 52′), Hilson, Crane. Subs not used – McTavish, Sula, Cant.
Bo’ness – Currid, Shanks, Mitchell, Wright, Cameron, Nimmo, Husband (R Weir 70′), Cunningham (Stubberfield 70′), MacDonald, Heaver, Ogilvie (M Weir 46′). Subs not used – Wilsdon.
Referee – Andy Gamble
Att – 606