Brown & Buchanan braces steer Stenhousemuir to a 5-0 victory for the first time since December 2016.

There was a great atmosphere around Ochilview today as Warriors Day returned for the first time since COVID. It was great to see so many people come along and have a fun time.

The Warriors returned to league action today as they had the weekend off last weekend after their late, late goal from James Berry secured victory at Ainslie Park against The Spartans two weeks ago. Stranraer were hoping to build on their 2-1 victory at home to Peterhead.

The Warriors started the game brightly having a couple of chances in the first 15 minutes. The first chance was a brilliant break on the right wing, Taylor found Yates who had 2 shots that were both blocked. The second was another break from Ross Taylor who broke down on the right wing and won a corner for Stenhousemuir which was then played short, but Bilham cross was the overhit.

The Warriors opened the scoring on 20 minutes. A penalty that was brilliantly won by Mikey Anderson after his darting run in behind left McDonald in the Stranraer goal with no option but to come for the ball, Anderson got there first, and was brough down by McDonald and conceded the penalty. Matty Aitken stepped up and slotted the penalty into the bottom right corner sending the goalkeeper the wrong way in the process.

A minute later, Aitken came so close to a quickfire brace when Brown’s curling cross met Aitken and his header smacked off the crossbar.

The Warriors added to their lead on 27 minutes when Bilham’s free kick was cleared to Gregor Buchanan on the edge of the box, and he fired home on the volley into the top left corner leaving McDonald helpless.

Half time saw the Warriors go in 2-0 after a great first half from the home side.

Stranraer had to replace their goalkeeper on 50 minutes after Mcdonald had to come off injured. He was replaced by teenager O’Connor.

Despite Stranraer having some early second half possession the Warriors got a third on 56 minutes when Brown’s floating corner met Gregor Buchanan’s head at the back post to give the captain a brace on the day.

Adam Brown made it 4 after 72 minutes. Matty Aitken had some brilliant hold up play before playing into Brown who calmly placed his shot in the bottom left corner.

It was confirmed a 5-star performance after another brace. This time for Adam Brown. It was very similar to his first. Aitken held the ball up well just inside the Stranraer half. He then played in Brown who travelled forward and calmly picked his spot in the bottom corner of the goal.

The full-time whistle was met with cheers from the Ochilview faithful as they had witnessed a brilliant performance from the warriors which saw them move up to second in the league, behind Bonnyrigg Rose on goals scored.

We travel to Bonnyrigg Rose next weekend in what will be a 1^st v 2^nd encounter at New Dundas Park.

Starting XI | D Jamieson, Meechan. Bilham, Lynch, Buchanan, Taylor, Brown, Wedderburn, Anderson, Yates, Aitken

Subs | Lyle, Kirkpatrick [Wedderburn 73′], Berry [Bilham 67′], O’Reilly [Taylor 63′]

Man of the Match | Gregor Buchanan

Attendance | 702

Match Report by Angus Blacklock