Stenhousemuir extended their gap at the top of the league to eleven points as Matty Aitken scored a brace in a 2-1 victory away at Clyde.
Gary Naysmith named two changes to the side that defeated Elgin last Saturday, Edin Lynch and Ross Taylor were replaced by Ross Meechan and Adam Brown.
A cagey opening affair at a wet New Douglas Park. Chances were few and far between, with both sides sharing possession.
Aitken had the ball in the back of the net on the 13th minute, but the whistle was blown for a shove by Matty Yates.
Just two minutes later, Matty Aitken had the ball in the back of the net again, this time it was allowed. Mikey Anderson had a mazy run up the pitch and he then found Matty Aitken who slotted home.
Clyde had a quick break on the 25th floor from Lyon as his cross reached Ji Stevenson on the edge of the box, who beats Anderson, but his shot was wide of the goal.
Apart from a booking for Stuart Carswell on the half hour mark, there was not much to report on. The first half lacked very many chances, both teams spent a large amount of the half trying to work each other out.
The second half started as the first ended, little to no chances being created. The first important thing of note in the second half was Nat Wedderburn picking up a booking in the 61st minute.
The Warriors doubled their lead on the 65-minute mark. Aitken made it a second on the day after Euan O’Reilly’s looping cross hit off the crossbar and fell to Matty Aitken who tapped home for his 12th goal of the season.
Just twelve minutes after coming on, Ross Taylor was shown a straight red card on the 76th minute after a poor challenge on Ray Grant.
Stenhousemuir performed well with ten men and limited Clyde’s chances, however the home side were able to make it a nervy ending for the Warriors after Logan Dunachie put home his shot in the third minute of added time.
Stenhousemuir were able to see out the match though and earned themselves a 9th victory on spin, a run going all the way back to the 28th October. The Warriors will hope to make it ten on the bounce when they face Forfar at Ochilview next Saturday.
LINE-UPS
Clyde | Leighfield, Lyon [Sula 69′], P Grant [C Scullion 79′], Dunachie, Carswell, Hynes [Cameron 46′], L Scullion, Stevenson, Cuddihy, Young, Leslie [R Grant 69′]
Substitutes not used | Parry, McCulloch
Goals | Donachie 90+3′
Assists | L Scullion
Bookings | Carswell
Stenhousemuir | D Jamieson, Meechan, Buchanan, N Jamieson, Bilham, Wedderburn, Brown [Taylor 64?], Anderson, Yates [Berry 78?], O’Reilly [Ferrie 86?], Aitken
Substitutes not used | Lyle, Sweenie-Rowe, McKay
Goals | Aitken [14′ & 66′]
Assists | Anderson [14′], O’Reilly [66′]
Bookings | Wedderburn
Red Cards | Taylor
Player of the Match | Matty Aitken
Match report by Angus Blacklock
