Match Report

Stenhousemuir v Stranraer at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 12.12.20

SPFL League Two

Stenhousemuir 2 [Biabi 59, Graham 87] Stranraer 2 [Cummings 22, Paton 36]

Stenhousemuir – Martin, Hodge, Munro [b69], Little [b74], Watters, Grigor, Tapping, [so 61]Blair, Spence [Fairley 85], McGuigan and Biabi [Graham 85]

Subs not used – Erskine, McQueen, Halleran, Shiels, Tiffoney, Kane and Trialist [A McC]

Stranraer – Fleming, Robertson, Cummings, Sonkur, Gallagher [Hamill 58], McManus, Victoria, Millar, Paton [b78][Hilton 78], Duffy [Stirling 73] and Orr

Subs not used – Walker, Burns, Elliott, Devitt, Yates, Hamill

Referee – Dan McFarlane       Assistants – Ralph Gordon and Tony Fullerton

After the tailing on of performance in the game against Brechin the previous week the Warriors came out of the traps quickly and could have quite easily have scored a couple of goals in the first few minutes with Josh Grigor and Mark McGuigan firing just wide and Greg Fleming saving a Ryan Blair strike from distance. The best chance had been McGuigan’s put the striker appeared to have his jersey pulled as he hit the shot but claims for a penalty were waived away.

Stranraer though weathered the initial storm and created their first chance in the 10^th minute when Joao Victoria caused problems with a run down the wing before picking out Thomas Orr but his shot was part blocked and took the sting out of it. A Ryan Blair through ball was met by McGuigan in the 13^th minute but his cross was eventually cleared.

The game though was gradually turning Stranraer’s way with ex-Warrior Kieran Millar beginning along with Ruari Paton to make their mark on the game and the visitors eventually took the lead in the 22^nd minute when Paton’s free-kick wasn’t cleared and Adam Cummings was on hand to slot home. Stenhousemuir were shaken and the visitors had created a number of chances and half chances before they were awarded a penalty when Andy Munro was adjudged to have fouled Orr and Paton stepped up to convert.

The Warriors were to get a toe back in the game in the 59^th minute when Botti Biabi netted after Callum Tapping’s shot following a Stenhousemuir counter attack had hit the base of the post. Two minutes later though that lifeline appeared to be snatched away when Tapping was dismissed for a tackle that the referee deemed to merit a red card. Munro did come close when he beat Fleming to a cross but the header went over the bar. Daryl Duffy showed vision with a long range effort that had Paddy Martin scrambling in his last involvement before he was subbed.

A mistimed tackle by Creag Little on Paton in the 74^th minute saw the defender pick up a caution with Stranraer asking for a dismissal.  Paton was unlucky to see Martin save with his feet a couple of minutes later. As the game progressed though Stranraer rather than taking full advantage of the extra man began to run down the clock and this was highlighted when Paton was booked for taking too long to leave the pitch when he was subbed.

They were to punished for this mindset when Cammy Graham met a Ryan Watters cross in the 87^th minute to dink the ball past Fleming for the equaliser. Stranraer woke up after this but the Warriors held on to secure a well deserved point.