3 new signings join the Warriors!

The Warriors are now back playing matches as we continue with our preseason preparations. However, there’s still plenty of work going on behind the scenes to add the personnel to the team that will give us as competitive a side as possible for the new season.

You will have likely noticed on social media during the week our announcements regarding the signings of Craig Reid, Ryan Tierney and James Lyon. Inside Ochilview will now introduce each of them for you right here!

Craig Reid

Craig, 35, is a defender who will no doubt add valuable experience to the Warriors backline having played in each of the top 5 tiers of Scottish football. He came through the ranks at Celtic and was loaned out to Stirling Albion, before signing for Queen of the South where he played over 100 times and featured in the Europa League for the Doonhamers. Spells at Motherwell and St. Mirren then followed, before winning League 1 with Dunfermline. Craig then decided upon taking the unusual career path of moving to Iceland to play for a season at Keflavik, prior to returning to Scotland to appear for Peterhead and then Ayr where he contributed towards promotion to the Championship. More recently Craig has played for Lowland League biggies East Kilbride and Kelty Hearts.

Ryan Tierney

Ryan is the latest player to sign for the Warriors from BSC Glasgow, as the 23 year old striker adds a further option for the team in the attacking third. A Hamilton Academy graduate, Ryan had spells at Airdrieonians and then Edusport in the Lowland League before making the step up to league 1 in 2019 to play for Dumbarton. After a season at the Sons, Ryan signed for BSC Glasgow and will now link up with former boss Swifty at Ochilview.

James Lyon

Only just last night we announced on social media the signing of 18 year old midfielder James Lyon. James joins us on loan for the season from Partick Thistle having made his first senior appearances last season as the Jags won the League 1 title. The youngster is no doubt held in high regard in Maryhill having been offered a new 2 year deal in May.

These signings mean that the current 1^st team squad for next season now looks as follows: Bernard Coll, Ryan Marshall, Jamie Mills, Thomas Orr, Cammy Graham, Josh Grigor (on loan at Syngenta), Michael Anderson, Adam Brown, Adam Corbett, Declan Hughes, Ross Lyon, Graeme Smith, Ross Forbes, Jordan Tapping, Sean Crighton, Darren Christie, Nat Wedderburn, Robert Thomson, Euan O’Reilly, Craig Reid, James Lyon and Ryan Tierney.

Last time out

Warriors 8-0 Syngenta

Last Thursday saw the Warrior’s first game since May as we took on our partner club Syngenta FC. Given our opponents lower league status, we would be expected to win but maybe not quite in the fashion we did as we ran out 8-0 winners in the match that was streamed for free on Warriors TV.

The boys dominated from start to finish and Thomas Orr grabbed both his and the club’s first goal of the season in the 13^th minute after knocking home a Coll cross. It was 2-0 5 minutes later as Ross Forbes curled home a signature freekick. Everyone associated with the club was then over the moon as Cammy Graham scored his first goal after a sidelined spell due to illness with a sensational strike from outside the box. It was then 4-0 before half time as Orr coolly converted a spotkick on 42 minutes.

The second half followed a similar pattern as Crighton announced himself on the scene as he headered home from a corner. Thomson was the next to grab his first Warriors goal on 77 minutes. 2 minutes after that, we had another penalty that was dispatched by Adam Brown. The cherry on the cake was finally added by Thomson who squeezed home from a tight angle after a sensational pass from Nat Wedderburn.

The full match recording can be found on Warriors TV: https://stenhousemuirfc.univtec.com/vod/60d4e9cbb9c1d95e444ca75d

Benburb 1-2 Warriors

Saturday’s match was the first fixture that Warriors fans have been able to attend in well over a year and we’re sure it was enjoyed by everyone present as we recorded a 2-1 victory over our hosts for the afternoon. The boys controlled possession in the opening exchanges and despite creating numerous chances, the Benburb defence stood strong. It took us until the 42^nd minute to grab the breakthrough as a trialist nodded home a Thomson cross.

The second half was little different as the warriors enjoyed the bulk of possession. Ross Forbes doubled our advantage on the 75^th minute, once again from a freekick! Benburb did get a goal back shortly afterwards however as their right winger drove past the defence to score at the near post. Despite this, the Warriors played out the remaining minutes to secure their second win from as many games so far this preseason.

Goal videos: https://twitter.com/StenhousemuirFC/status/1408878187761778692?s=20

Alloa Athletic 1-2 Warriors

On Tuesday night, the Warriors made the short trip across the Forth to face Alloa in our 3^rd friendly match of this preseason. Unfortunately neither were spectators allowed in to watch nor were we able to provide coverage from the match. Despite this, we’re pleased to say that the boys came out on top 2-1 against a strong Alloa team looking to bounce straight back up to the Championship after a 3 year stay in the 2^nd top division. Both Thomas Orr and Ross Forbes were on the scoresheet for the Warriors to continue their impressive goalscoring form.

Onto the next

Saturday 1pm  – Spartans (A)

This Saturday the Warriors will travel to Ainslie Park, Edinburgh as we face off against Lowland League outfit Spartans FC. The boys will be looking to keep our early preseason momentum going with another positive result after winning 3 from 3 so far. As for our opposition, they will be looking to bounce back after recent friendly defeats to Jeanfield Swifts and Hearts.

This match is open to Stenhousemuir supporters to attend and all details can be found via the link below:

https://twitter.com/spartansfc/status/1410257401320726530?s=20

Ladies latest

The ladies team were back in action this week as they played Clyde on this Sunday past, with the SWF Games programme fixture taking place at Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld. Clyde took the lead in the 11^th minute to stun the Warriors, however the girls showed great mental strength to stay right in the game despite the early setback. The score remained the same until the 85^th minute when Carly Lauder curled home a superb freekick from a wide area to equalise. You would be forgiven for thinking that by this stage the girls had done enough to secure the draw, however Clyde were able to land a knockout blow in the 90^th minute from the penalty spot. The match finished 2-1 to Clyde in a match that the Warriors will feel they had enough chances to win the game.

Player sponsorships still available!

Just a reminder to both supporters and to local businesses that player sponsorships remain on sale at £120 for the 2021/22 season!

For more details on our player sponsorship packages and to find out why you should get involved please follow the link below:

https://dev.stenhousemuirfc.com/2021/06/12/player-sponsorship-packages-now-available/

To purchase player sponsorships please contact the club either by email at info@stenhousemuirfc.com or by telephone at 01324 562992

We’d like to put our thanks on record to those who have already sponsored some of our first team for the coming season. The income that you have provided for the club will be invaluable.

The below table details what players we still have available for sponsorship as well as those already sponsored:

Just in case you’re interested…

Scottish stadia could have full crowds by August

 Scotland’s national clinical director Jason Leitch has this week spoke about the potential return of full crowds to Scottish football stadia. Restrictions regarding mass events are due to be lifted on the 9^th of August, in time for our 3^rd league match of the new season. Please follow the link below to read more:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57629123

Nearly 2,000 scots in London test positive for Covid-19

It was a party while they were there, however concern is growing as an increasing amount of positive Covid cases continue to be linked to the Tartan Army’s trip to London. Could this surge in cases effect political will to allow fans into stadia sooner? Please follow the link below to read more:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-57667163

SPFL reconstruction back on the table

It felt like a never ending debate last year, but once again SPFL clubs will be asked to vote on a league reconstruction proposal. The current proposal involves an expansion to 48 member clubs in 4 leagues of 12 and the introduction of Celtic and Rangers colt teams. Please follow the link below for more info:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57651255