Stenhousemuir go top of League 2 as we defeat Stranraer to pick up their first victory at Stair Park in 8 years. Goals from Matty Aiken, Matty Yates and Euan O’Reilly saw the Wariors run out 3-0 victors.

Stenhousemuir travelled to Stair Park in Stranraer hoping to build on their impressive 2-0 victory against Peterhead on Tuesday evening. Stranraer were hoping to bounce back from their disappointing defeat up in Peterhead where they conceded in the last minute to lose the match.

Gary Naysmith named an unchanged lineup for the 4^th match in a row, it was the same side that defeated Forfar, The Spartans and Peterhead.

There was an early stoppage as unfortunately, Ben Armour had to be stretchered off having injured his leg. Deryn Lang came on to replace him.

Stenhousemuir managed to get in front when Matty Aiken continued his fine vein of form as he capitalised on Stranraer confusion when goalkeeper, Lewis Budinauckas lost the ball in the box. Referee, Ryan Lee waved away the multiple Stranraer complaints.

The middle of the first half dried up with big chances very rare. Stranraer thought they were one v one with Darren Jameson, but the linesman had his flag up for offside.

Matty Yates doubled the Warriors lead in the 44^th minute. Budinauckas was unable to stop Yates’ looping volley from going across the line as Yates came back to haunt his former club.

Just before half time there was a bust up after a late challenge on Kinlay Bilham. This saw both Sean McIntosh and Matty Grant for the home side and  Nat Wedderburn for The Warriors go into the referee’s book.

The home side came out fighting in the second half and inflicted some early pressure onto the Warriors, however nothing really tested Darren Jameson in the Stenhousemuir goal.

Stenhousemuir got a third 10 minutes into the second half. Euan O’Reilly picked up the ball in a right-wing position drove forward and calmly placed the ball into the bottom left corner past Budinauckas.

Substitutions killed any momentum in the match for either side however both Matty Aitken and Ross Taylor were able to get shots, but both were saved by Budinauckas.

As the conditions deteriorated in the closing stages, the match became scrappy, and both teams found it difficult to get the ball down and play football on the soggy pitch. The Warriors were able to secure the victory

LINE-UPS

Stranraer |  Budinauckas, McIntosh, Ross, Girvan, Williamson, Grant, Strachan [McDonald 71′], Hawkshaw [Walker 61′], Dolan, Sneddon, Armour [11′]

Substitutes not used | Downie, Agnew

Goals | 

Assists | 

Bookings: McIntosh, Grant

Stenhousemuir | D Jamieson, Lynch, Buchanan, N Jamieson, Bilham [Sweenie-Rowe 72′], Wedderburn [McKay 82′], Brown [Meechan 82′], Anderson, Yates [Berry 76′], O’Reilly [Taylor 71′]

Substitutes not used | Lyle

Goals | Aitken [15′], Yates [44′], O’Reilly [57′]

Assists | Lynch [15′], Anderson [44′], Yates [57′]

Bookings | Wedderburn

Match report by Angus Blacklock