Match Report

Stenhousemuir v Stirling Albion at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 24.10.20

SPFL League Two

Stenhousemuir 2 [Biabi 75, Spence 83] Stirling Albion 2 [Wilson 18, Leitch 90]

Stenhousemuir – Smith [b24][Erskine 45], Tiffoney, Munro [b79], Little [b18], Yeats, Hopkirk [Hodge 89], Brown [Biabi 55], Blair, Tapping, Muir [McGuigan 89] and Spence

Subs not used –McQueen, Fairley, Watters, Grigor and Graham

Stirling Albion – Binnie, McGeachie [b75], Banner, McLean [El-Zubaidi 7], McGregor [b71], K.Roberts [Heaver 84], Ryan [b90], Wilson, Byrne [b60], Leitch and S.Roberts

Subs not used – Law, Thomson, Docherty, Creaney, Magee and McDonald [t]

Referee – Stewart Luke                       Assistants – Graeme McNeillie and Fraser Bushell

The first game at Ochilview was a derby against Stirling Albion and was one that could be fairly described as a game of two halves with Stirling being the more proactive in the first period and Stenhousemuir in the second.  Greig Spence shot just wide in the 2^nd minute from a David Hopkirk cross but as the game progressed it was the visitors who became the more threatening. Jack Leitch fired just over following a strong run by the forward after 11 minutes. The Binos were to take the lead in the 18^th minute when a David Wilson free-kick seemed to be steered in at the post with Graeme Smith routed to the spot. The Warriors rarely tested Cammy Binnie but he was called into action to clutch an Andy Munro header.

There was a major blow for Stenhousemuir in the last minute of the half when Smith went down whilst trying to catch the ball. He unfortunately was unable to continue and the diagnosis wasn’t good and he is going to miss the rest of the season.

Botti Biabi came on at half time and he was to make an impact on the game. Stirling could have extended their lead in the 65^th minute when Banner headed wide and that miss could have been crucial as the home side drew level ten minutes later when Biabi struck gathering a loose ball in the middle as Stirling struggled to clear a free-kick. Leitch was then denied at the other end when Leitch’s powerful strike looked goalbound but Munro managed to get his head to it to clear the danger.

Most of the play at that time though was in the other half of the pitch and the Warriors were eventually to rewarded for their endeavours when Hopkirk was tripped in the box and Spence was able to convert the spot kick.

Stirling to their credit reacted well to this setback and were to draw level in the 90^th minute with Leitch making the breakthrough. Callum Erskine was weak with an attempted punch clearance and although he was able to make an initial block he was unable to keep out the powerful drive by Leitch.

Although the 90 minutes were now up the Warriors did create a couple of further chances before the end with Cammy Binnie saving an effort at close range from Mark McGuigan and this was followed by Biabi rising high for a header but was just unable to get it on target.

Thus the game ended level and there will be mixed feelings about the performance which was certainly better in the second half. The injury to Graeme Smith though was certainly the low point of the game and we hope he recovers quicker than expected.