Welcome back to a brand new season of Warriors Weekly. You aren’t seeing things. We have changed the name from Inside Ochilview to Warriors Weekly but all the content will remain the same. Our Men and Women’s sides have been back in pre-season training for a few weeks now with the men’s League season kicking off in just 2 days.

Our last edition of Inside Ochilview was released on the 28th of April. Since then the Men’s side finished their season with a 0-0 draw against Forfar Athletic at Station Park. Stephen Swift has built a new squad for the season ahead, which we’ll talk more about later.

Our Women’s side have had a major change of their own. Jack Cameron was appointed as the new Head Coach of the side last month and has been working with his team in pre-season training as they aim to do better than last season’s bottom half finish. 

Finally, the Ochilview surface has been re-laid over the summer. The new pitch was ready for the friendly against Dunfermline earlier this month and has been positively received so far!

In our last weekly update, we had told you that Mikey Anderson, Adam Brown, Adam Corbett, Sean Crighton, Ross Forbes, Nicky Jamieson, Euan O’Reilly & Nat Wedderburn had all signed on for the new season. Thomas Orr signed on for the season ahead too, joining the 8 that had already decided to stay on. Michael Miller also rejoined the club but this time on a permanent deal, after joining from Ayr United on loan. Finally, from last season’s squad, Callum Yeats is back for a 3rd loan spell. Callum originally joined the club on loan from Hibernian before moving to Queen’s Park last season. He spent the second half of the last season back at Ochilview before re-signing on loan for the 2022/23 season. 

Stephen Swift has been busy since the end of last season and the following players have joined the Warriors:

• Conor Brennan (From East Kilbride)
• Jay Cantley (From Airdrieonians)
• Daniel Higgins (From East Fife)
• Scott Walker (From Airdrieonians)
• Craig Bryson (From St Johnstone)
• Niyah Joseph (From Queen Of The South)
• Will Sewell (From Largs Thistle)
• Matty Yates (From Stranraer)

We would like to wish all the lads the best during their time at the Warriors!

We kicked off the season with Premier Sports Cup Group Stage action. We were drawn into Group B with Kilmarnock, Partick Thistle, Montrose and Fraserburgh.

Up first was a home fixture against Partick Thistle. This is the fourth time that the two sides have been drawn against each other in the League Cup group stages, with all four fixtures taking place at Ochilview.

It was a goalless first half in Stenhousemuir but it would be the visitors to open the scoring as Kyle Turner found the back of the net in the 54th minute. Despite the best efforts of Jamie Sneddon, he couldn’t stop the Warriors from levelling the game ten minutes later. Sneddon pulled off an outstanding save to deny Nicky Jamieson but couldn’t keep Matty Yates’ rebound out as the score became 1-1. The Championship side eventually found the winner with 15 minutes to go as Brian Graham headed home a cross to give the Jags all 3 points. 

Stenhousemuir 1-2 Partick Thistle

 

Next up was another home match but this time, Highland Champions, Fraserburgh were the opposition. This was a much more comfortable game for the hosts as the maroon side won 3-0. Will Sewell opened the scoring in the first half before Craig Bryson and Matty Yates added to the scoring in the second 45. A good win for the Warriors as two tough away games were coming up.

Stenhousemuir 3-0 Fraserburgh 

 

League 1 side Montrose were the third opponents in the group as the Warriors made a midweek trip to Links Park.This went much more differently than many expected. The Warriors had chance after chance in the first half but couldn’t open the scoring. Montrose had a few chances of their own but struggled to test Brennan in the visiting net. The addition of Thomas Orr in the second half saw the Warriors able to break the deadlock as Euan O’Reilly fired home off a rebound from an Orr shot. Sean Crighton would play a cross field pass in behind the host’s defence as Euan O’Reilly latched onto the ball and would slot home a second. 

Montrose 0-2 Stenhousemuir

 

Everything was still to play for heading into the final group game. A win for the Warriors could have potentially seen the Warriors into the knockouts for the competition for the first time. It would be a tough ask as a visit to Rugby Park to take on Premiership side Kilmarnock was the match in question.

Killie came firing out the blocks early having multiple chances in the first few minutes before Liam Polworth eventually slotted home from the edge of the box after 5 minutes. The Warriors found themselves back on level terms not long after. Matty Yates stepped up for a free kick, hit the bar before seeing the ball bounce over the line, leaving Sam Walker helpless in goals. Kilmarnock were back in front by the half time whistle. They were awarded a penalty for a hand ball from Callum Yeats. Ex-Warrior Oliver Shaw stepped up and made it 2-1.

Like the first half, Kilmarnock went for goals early. They were awarded another penalty as Shaw was fouled in the box. He stepped up once again but fired over and into the stand behind the goal. Killie’s 3rd goal eventually came as Daniel Armstrong got onto the end of a cross to fire home. Oli Shaw did get his second of the game eventually, as similar to the goal before, Shaw got onto the end of a cross and kneed the ball into an empty net. Kilmarnock picked up the 3 points and advanced to the knockouts.

Kilmarnock 4-1 Stenhousemuir

Despite exiting in the group stage, there were a lot of positives to take for the Warriors. For the first time in the competition’s history, we were able to get more than 3 points in the group stage. All eyes were set on the league start from the beginning but a good League Cup campaign was viewed as a positive from all. Highlights and Post Match Interviews from all of these games can be found on our YouTube. 

The cinch League 2 season kicks off this Saturday as we welcome Albion Rovers to Ochilview Park. We went unbeaten against the Coatbridge side last season with 3 wins and 1 draw and Stephen Swift will be looking to keep that going for the season ahead.

Tickets are available through Fanbase and can be bought here.

Alternatively, you can pay at the gate on the day!

If you are outside the United Kingdom, you can watch the match through WarriorsTV for £10. Commentary will be provided by Cameron McIntyre. You can watch here.

Coming to the game and feeling a bit unsure about something? Check out our fan guide!

Our women’s side recently appointed Jack Cameron as their new head coach.

Jack has already begun working with the squad over the last few weeks as he begins to prepare for the 2022-23 season where The Warriors will play in Scottish Women’s Football League One.

Jack is a young and enthusiastic coach who has had previous experience working within the women’s game working with both Morton & Kilmarnock as well as his most recent role at Glasgow University.

Jack spoke about his goals and ambition for Stenhousemuir FC by saying “My goals for the club in the immediate future are for the women’s team to build a highly competitive squad that can compete in the top half of the league. Long term I will look to be involved heavily in the overall growth of the club in all departments.

I aim to continue the great work the club has put in to grow the community side as well creating a clear pathway for progression for the young players at Warriors in the Community to continue their development.”

Stenhousemuir FC Women’s and Girls Committee Member Andy Thomson said “I am delighted to have Jack as our new Head Coach. He comes into the club with a great amount of experience for a young coach. He also has a real enthusiasm and energy to develop further which we felt matched the club’s ambitions for the women’s team.”

With the new season kicking off in just a few weeks, we’re delighted to confirm that Rachael Ann Vickerman, Shantel Patterson, Erin Wilson, Jude Connolly, Carolanne Phee and Eva Ralston have all signed on for the season ahead. 

The rest of the squad will be confirmed over the next few weeks. Keep an eye on our social channels to keep up to date with the squad!

The SWF League One fixtures were recently announced with the Warriors eagerly awaiting their path for the season ahead. 

Our Women’s side will travel to Giffnock in the opening game before welcoming Dundee West to Ochilview Park. A local derby is next up as we travel to the Falkirk Stadium to take on Falkirk. The opening 5 games are completed by back to back home games against Edinburgh Caledonia and Gleniffer Thistle. The league kicks off on the 14th of August and the full fixture list will be available soon.

 

Our Summer Holiday Camps have been a success so far and still have a few weeks left to go. Interested in getting your child booked in? Check out the graphics below and you can book here!

A new addition to these going forward will be a weekly interview with those working around the club in roles that aren’t heavily featured in our content already. These will be used to ask the individuals about their roles and how it affects the club.

We’re kicking off the interviews with a member of the men’s first team set-up that hasn’t been featured at all in any of our interviews since joining, that person being Coach Michael Moore.

Mick had a successful playing career before stepping into coaching, so we asked him to give us a run down:

“Well, from school I went to Hamilton Accies and I was there for four years. I really enjoyed it but at the time Hamilton had financial problems but it was a great upbringing for me. I scored on my debut against Hibs at 17, played against Rangers live on Sky Sports at 17. It was a great start to my career. It was a really good ground but they had some financial problems and I ended up leaving. Believe it or not, going to Stranraer was a step-up at the time and did really well for a couple of seasons. We won the league, got player of the division then got a move to St Johnstone. 

The move didn’t quite work out the way I wanted it to. It started off well but it was probably a year too early for me to make the move. I went back to Stranraer, did well again. I ended up at Ayr and Dumbarton before getting a move back to Stranraer, who have always made me feel welcome and I’ve somehow always found my way back there.”

Mick joined the Warriors in April 2021 as a Coach, moving with Stephen Swift from BSC Glasgow (Open Goal Broomhill), we asked Mick how he came to work with the gaffer:

“I’ve always been really good friends with him. When he was the manager at Kilbirnie Ladeside, they were going through a difficult spell and he asked me to come in and help out, get on with the boys and lift the team spirit and support him the best I could. So just through that. 

He then got the BSC job and I remember him saying to me about going to them. No disrespect but at the time I hadn’t even heard of them. I went to BSC with the gaffer and absolutely loved it. Great bunch of lads and the team done absolutely brilliant. We had a good few years there.

Obviously, I had played with Stephen at Stranraer. He’s from Paisley and so am I, so we’ve always been good friends and that’s a big part of why I’m here to support him. When he got the job at Stenhousemuir, he asked me if I wanted to come with him and I’m delighted to be here and I’ve enjoyed it. Brilliant bunch of boys and absolutely love the lads. They are brilliant. We’ve got good coaches, physio, kitman, everything! So everything about the club is great and I’m really enjoying it.

During their time at the club, we’ve seen Swifty and Frazer Wright on camera for interviews multiple times, as manager and assistant manager. Mick’s role doesn’t see him appear for the cameras too often but what does his role entail?: 

“Whatever the gaffer asks me to do. That’s the thing, you know. I’m here to support him, if he asks me to do something, no hesitation, I’ll do it. The gaffer takes the majority of the training, Frazer takes a good part too. I’ll do some parts too, which is good for myself but it is just whatever I’m asked to do. I’ll try to help with the teams. I’ll give my opinion but he decides what happens. I’ll let him know what teams and formation I think would work but it’s all about supporting him, being a soundboard to him. Anything he looks for me to do, I’ll do it!”

Let us know if there is anyone around the club you’d like to hear from on how their role works within the club!

Motherwell are in Europa Conference League Second Qualifying Round Action tonight as they look to overturn a 1-0 deficit as they head to Ireland to take on Sligo Rovers. Ex Bairn Aidan Keena scored the only goal at Fir Park last week to give the Irish side the lead heading into the second leg later today.

The FIFA Men’s World Cup takes place later this year in Qatar but the Women’s Euros has been going on for the last few weeks. The tournament has reached the finals which will take place at Wembley Stadium this Sunday as, hosts, England take on Germany. England hammered Sweden 4-0 in the Semi-Finals whilst Germany narrowly beat France 2-1 to set up the tie. The final kicks off at 5pm BST and is available to watch through BBC One or the iPlayer.

Finally, we hope you all enjoyed the close season and we hope to see as many of you backing the Warriors for the season ahead!