Match Preview: Stirling Wanderers 3s vs Fidra Lions Development – Déjà Vu at Forthbank

For the second week in a row, Fidra Lions Hockey Club are packing their kit bags, Googling “best places to park in Stirling,” and making the now all-too-familiar trek back to the land of the Wallace Monument. Last week, the Fidra first team took on Stirling University and headed home with a crisp 2-0 victory. This week, it’s the turn of the development squad to see if they can bring some more winning vibes back to East Lothian.

The Fidra Lions Development Squad have had a solid start to the season, winning one game and losing one, and sitting comfortably in 4th place. With six goals scored and only three conceded, they’ve been proving that even in Division 4, it's not just about fun, it's about finding the back of the net – and maybe occasionally remembering to pass.

On the flip side, Stirling Wanderers 3rd Development Team... well, let’s just say it’s been a bit of a rocky start. They’ve played one game, conceded five goals, and currently find themselves at the bottom of the table. But hey, the only way is up, right? Maybe they just needed a week to regroup, or maybe they’re still trying to remember where they left their shin pads.

The 2:10 pm kickoff at Forthbank promises to be full of excitement, action, and the usual Division 4 mix of "accidental" shoves and questionable umpiring decisions. Stirling will be hoping that home-field advantage (and maybe a little local weather) can help them avoid another bruising defeat, while Fidra will be looking to emulate their first XI’s heroics and return with another win under their belts.

Expect a close match, with Fidra hoping their trip up the M9 isn’t for nothing, and Stirling Wanderers hoping to prove that thier last game was just an unfortunate warm-up. One thing is certain: by the time the final whistle blows, someone’s going to be celebrating, and someone’s going to be figuring out how to explain the result on the team WhatsApp.