DOUBLE AWARDS FOR THE WARRIORS

The Warriors have been recognised for our good form in February, by receiving 2 cinch League 2 awards for the month.

Defender Nicky Jamieson has picked up the Player of the Month award and Swifty has picked up the Manager of the Month Award.

Nicky has been a giant at the back all season and was a clear pick for Player of the Month.

Stephen took the chance to speak to Warriors TV about his award.

“Delighted to receive Manager of the Month award for February, obviously a great accolade for all the hard work but bottom line is it is a team effort.

“Frazer and Mike had a do a lot of work before the Elgin City game changing tactics as I tested positive for Covid, I put a lot of pressure on them to implement things I had put in place and for them to get message across.  They managed this for the Elgin and Annan game and they both should receive a lot of credit for this award.

“The players stepped up to the mark, we are not doing a lot different from the start of the season but everyone is working really hard.   Testament to this is Nicky Jamieson collecting Player of the Month for February and Thomas Orr picking up the award in January.

“We are on a good run and take all the plaudits that are going but there is still a lot of hard work to be done to get to where we want to be, and if we get there by the end of the season we could be in the race for promotion.”

Congratulations to both Nicky and Swifty on their awards.

STIRLING ALBION 0-1 STENHOUSEMUIR

Stephen Swift made 3 changes from the midweek draw in the capital.

Peter Urminsky has been recalled by St Mirren on an emergency 7 day loan and misses out both today’s game and Tuesday’s home match against league leaders, Kelty Hearts. Div Wilson resumes the number 1 spot in goals.

Daz Christie and Euan O’Reilly were also brought in to replace Mikey Anderson and Ross Forbes, giving a more attacking look to the team.

Before the match started, both clubs and sets of fans observed a minutes applause in support of everyone in Ukraine that’s been affected by the recent atrocities.

The match started quickly with both teams picking up corners in the first 5 minutes, neither causing any problems for each defence.

The first decent chance dropped to Stirling on 7 minutes. A loose clearance was picked up on the edge of the box Dylan Paterson, but his drive was well wide.

The Warriors picked up a dangerous free kick on 10 minutes as O’Reilly was fouled by Laird, no booking for the foul, when it looked like one was merited. Robert Thomson stepped up to take the 20 yard free kick, but his attempt was well over.

Euan certainly has a target on him as he’s fouled again and again. This time a bit deeper. Yeats swung the ball deep into the home box, but was well held by Currie in the home goals.

Stirling had a chance to take the lead just after the 20 minute mark with the drive deflected wide for a corner. The corner failed to trouble the defence as much as the original shot and The Warriors cleared easily.

Daz Christie was next to be fouled after skipping past a few Stirling defenders with the free kick right on the corner of the box. The free kick was floated in by Euan and met by Sean Crighton at the back post, but was judged to have been offside.

Warriors picked up a corner a few moments later. After a few attempts at a clearance, the ball dropped to Thommo but the big striker couldn’t get a decent shot away.

Big chance for the home side to take the lead as Dunsmore fired a wicked ball across the box, it was missed by everyone and eventually went out for a corner which was dealt with by the visiting defence.

Daz Christie is having the time of his life on the right wing. Time and time again he beats his defender, sometimes twice, and gets into a good area. His final ball or decision though has let the winger down on a few occasions.

SUBSTITUTION: Euan O’Reilly has taken one knock too many and is forced off to be replaced by Mikey Anderson. [34 minutes]

RED CARD: Marc Laird is shown the red after a 2nd yellow card after a challenge through the back of Mikey Miller. [40 minutes]

Tam Orr had his first proper chance of the game just a moment later with a turn and shot inside the box. Blair Currie saved the shot.

HALF TIME: STIRLING ALBION 0-0 STENHOUSEMUIR

Straight into the 2nd half with a golden chance for Tam Orr. Daz Christie managed to get the the goal line and his cut back was met by the striker but his shot went straight into the thankful arms of Blair Currie.

A glorious chance For Stenhousemuir. Daz Christie again dances past the home defence, his drive across goal was missed by everyone and fizzled out for a goal kick.

SUBSTITUTION: Ross Forbes and Adam Brown are brought int the game, replacing Daz Christie and Robert Thomson. [56 minutes]

Stirling Albion already playing for time and seem to be content taking a point.

Tam Orr had the next chance to score. A nice flick on by Adam Brown was met by Tam and, we’ve seen him take these chances time after time, this one though was on his weaker side and his shot drifted well wide.

Stenhousemuir have had the best of the 2nd half so far, but Stirling are always looking to break. The Warriors need to make the extra man work for them.

GOAL: Adam Brown drives into the Stirling box and takes a shot from just outside the box, Currie has no chance and the ball hits the back of the net. STIRLING ALBION 0-1 STENHOUSEMUIR [Brown, 66 minutes]

Stirling Albion almost make an immediate response. Div Wilson was at full stretch to keep a cross from going in at the back post. The home side are certainly pushing on for a goal.

The home side make a treble change as they look desperate to get something from this game.

Into the last 10 and The Warriors are doing some text book game management. Making short passes and making the Stirling players work for possession.

Big chance for The Warriors and if it wasn’t for a good double save from Miller then Orr, the away side would’ve doubled their lead.

FULL TIME: STIRLING ALBION 0-1 STENHOUSEMUIR

Match highlights & reactions HERE

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STENHOUSEMUIR 0-1 KELTY HEARTS

Stephen Swift made 2 changes from the team that started at Stirling.

Euan O’Reilly was ruled out through injury after receiving several challenges on Saturday and Daz Christie dropped down to the bench.

Ross Forbes and Mikey Anderson both made their return to the staring XI as The Warriors look to make it 7 undefeated.

Before the match, both teams paid tribute those affected by the Russian attacks in Ukraine, particularly Maksym Kucheriavya the young Ukranian wh started the match for the visitors.

Kelty Hearts started the match well and it was clear that the Warriors were looking to be stubborn in their play and look to breakdown every Kelty Hearts attack.

However, the first real chance of the match came in 16 minutes when Sean Croghton cleared the ball up the line to Tam Orr. The striker took the neatest of touches to pass by the Kelty defence he ran into the box and cut the ball back to hi strike partner Robert Thomson. He pinned on the ball but never really got a clear chance to get a strike on goal and the chance fizzled out.

And it was just a few moments later when the Kelty attack got in behind the stubborn Warriors defence. This time though, Div Wilson stood tall and managed to clear the ball for a corner, which came to nothing.

Adam Corbett made a bursting run forward on 21 minutes. His cross caught out everyone, except the Kelty keeper who was backtracking and just managed to tip the ball over the bar as The Warriors picked up their first corner which was cleared by the defence.

Kelty started turning the screw a bit, and Joe Cardle managed to get some time for a shot inside the box, but Div Wilson, again, was equal to the Kelty Hearts attack. And it was Cardle that had the next shot of the match a few moments later, but this time the experienced midfielder failed to find the target.

There was time for Kelty to have one more attack of the half, but Higginbotham fired his shot well over the bar.

The very last chance of the half dropped to Tam Orr as he picked up a pass o the edge of the box. He dragged his shot wide though and the referee called a close to half.

The visitors have had the better of the half, but a solid back 4 of Yeats, Jamieson, Crighton and Corbett, along with Div Wilson have all made it a very frustrating 45 for the league leaders.

HALF TIME: STENHOUSEMUIR 0-0 KELTY HEARTS

The Warriors started the 2nd half sharply and almost took the lead inside a few minutes. Tam Orr got on the end of a pass over the top by Ross Forbes. He skinned his marker and fired the ball across the goal. Mikey Anderson was screaming for the ball to be cut back and you’ve got to believe that if the striker had saw him, The Warriors would be one up.

SUBSTITUTION: Warriors make their first change of the match as Adam Brown comes on to replace Ross Forbes [54 minutes]

Mikey Miller had the next notable chance of the match as he picked up the ball on the edge of the box. He was on his weaker foot though and failed to trouble the Kelty keeper.

Nathan Austin was introduced to the match and almost had an immediate impact. His neat touch took him round Jamieson, but with Yeats and Crighton covering, the league’s stop scorer couldn’t get a shot away and Crighton cleared the danger. The striker had an even easier chance a few moments later, but his shot inside the box was scuffed and it went harmlessly wide.

The Kelty defence got themselves into all sorts of trouble inside 66 minutes and Mikey Miller stole the ball off them. He passed to Thommo in the box. the box striker seemed to be bundled to the ground, however, the referee seems to have seen a foul by the big striker and his last action of the match is to concede a foul in the Kelty box.

SUBSTITUTION: Swifty makes his 2nd change with Robert Thomson making his way to the bench and he’s replaced by Daz Christie. [67 minutes]

Callum Yeats showed exactly why he’s so highly thought of at the Club. a through ball was inch perfect and an inch perfect, last man challenge by Yeats stopped a certain chance on goal, and just 3 seconds later managed to pick himself up and make another important interception. An inspired piece of defending by the on-loan Queens Park youngster.

The Warriors had the next chance with just 5 minutes to play. Some great build up on the left by Mikey Miller and Adam Brown saw the latter send the ball across the box to Tam Orr, he looked to get a shot but nothing opened up. He laid the ball off to Mikey Anderson but the young midfielder struggled to get a proper shot away and the ball went high and wide of the visitors goal.

GOAL: Just as it looked like the Warriors were going to get a well earned point from the match, one last moment of magic from Nathan Austin saw him time his run perfectly, and managed to chip the ball over the on-rushing Div Wilson from inside the box. [90+1 minutes]

FULL TIME: STENHOSUEMUIR 0-1 KELTY HEARTS

Absolute heartbreak for The Warriors who were very deserving of a point. The reaction to Kelty’s goal showed just how hard they felt they had to work to get the victory.

Match highlights & reactions HERE

STENHOUSEMUIR vs EDINBURGH CITY

Stenhousemuir welcome Edinburgh City to Ochilview in what will be one of the most important matches of the season so far.

The Citizens sit 1 place above the Warriors, in the final playoff position. A win for the home side will see up leapfrog the Capital side and put us in pole position for that 4th place finish.

Although our head to head record against Edinburgh is strong, The Warriors have only managed to pick up 2 victories in the last 10 meetings and only 1 in the last 5.

The three previous meetings this season have seen a win for Edinburgh, and two draws. And with both teams on good form, it’s vital that The Warriors end this game with 3 points and a place in the playoff positions.

Keep an eye on our social channels tomorrow [Friday] for our match preview.

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MATCHDAY INFORMATION

Kick-off: 7.30pm

Match Entry: Both home and away fans can enter via pay at the gate [cash] or you can purchase your ticket in advance by using Fanbase. Adult admission costing £14, concessions £9 and under 16’s just £5.

Live Stream: If  you can’t make the match, Warriors TV has you covered with PPV commentary from Cameron McIntyre. PPV is available for just £10 here.

Getting Here: Click here for details of how to get to Ochilview by car or train.

Season Card Holders: Season Tickets are valid for this match. The ticket number will be displayed beside the turnstiles.

The Pie Hut: Food and drinks will be available to be purchased once again from the Pie Hut.

The Wee Bar: The Wee Bar is open from 12pm with all fans welcome.

Face Coverings: Face coverings are not mandatory inside the ground but fans are encouraged to continue to wear these. Masks should be worn when moving around the ground.

Matchday Programme: The matchday programme is available via donation on entry to the ground.

STENHOSUEMUIR LADIES vs BSC GLASGOW

The Ladies are in action this weekend as we welcome BSC Glasgow to Ochilview.

Match entry is free, and if you can’t make it along to cheer on the Ladies, you can follow them on Warriors TV, also for free.

The match is on Sunday 12th March with a 2pm kick off.

The Ladies scored their third consecutive 1-1 draw away to Falkirk at the weekend. The Warriors took the lead through McPhee early one but a Falkirk equaliser just 9 minutes from time was enough to earn a point for Falkirk.

FEBRUARY GOLDLINE WINNERS

1st prize £250– R McWilliam

2nd prize £100– Laura Murtagh

3rd prize £50– Stuart Orr

Congratulations also to our £20 winners – Jacquline Barr, Stephen Fraser, Linda Divers, Mynett, Margaret & Terry & Tam Orr.

JOIN OUR LOTTERY

The Goldline Sports Lottery is a Prize draw with four bands of entry level, Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze.

The fees are as follows per month:

Platinum £50.00 (10 entries plus 2 complimentary hospitality places worth £150), Gold £20.00 (4 entries) Silver £10.00 (2 entries) or Bronze £5.00 (1 entry) per Month. The cash prize grows with the number of players involved with guaranteed cash prizes every month of £500.

On joining the Goldline Community Sports Lottery you will receive your unique Membership number(s) corresponding with the entry level you have selected, after having received it you will be entered into the Monthly Draw for cash prizes.. Winners are announced every month and you if you win the money will be paid directly into your bank.

1. Set up a monthly standing order for either £5, £10, £20 or £50 to the following account

Stenhousemuir FC

800674

06000848

You can set up a standing order simply through your bank app on your phone, on-line or in your local branch. You can also cancel this at any time with no long-term commitment and no cancellation fee.

2. Send a confirmation email to info@stenhousemuirfc.com confirming membership level (bronze, silver, gold or platinum), full name and contact number and what date of the month your standing order is set for.

Every new member will be welcomed on social media (if they wish) as a thank you from the Club. We wish to showcase the many hundred’s of people who care about our Club and celebrate their backing. If you would like a thank you on social media please email a photograph over with your application.

 

SCOTLAND VS UKRAINE POSTPONED

Scotland’s World Cup play off match against Ukraine has been postponed until June, but Wales vs Austria will go ahead, with the winner playing the winners of the re-scheduled Scotland game.

The Ukraine football authorities made a request to Fifa last week to postpone their game scheduled for 24 March at Hampden Park. The winners were scheduled to meet Wales or Austria in a play-off final on 29 March but the final will now take place in June as well.

Fifa also announced that Poland, who had been due to play Russia, would receive a bye to a play-off final against Sweden or the Czech Republic.

“On March 3 2022, the Ukrainian Association of Football wrote to Fifa requesting that its qualification match(es) be rescheduled owing to the impossibility of organising both the travel and training of a team under the current circumstances,” a Fifa statement read. “Following consultation with Uefa and the four participating member associations in Path A of the European qualifying play-offs, it was unanimously agreed in the spirit of solidarity to accept this request.”

The Scottish Football Association has been in regular contact with Fifa and Uefa since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to discuss the play-off game and a women’s World Cup qualifier between the countries, scheduled for 8 April.