Stenhousemuir’s historic winning run ended in Peterhead as they were defeated 2-1 thanks to a Hamish Richie brace.
League leaders, Stenhousemuir made the long trip north to take on second placed Peterhead hoping to make it 13 wins in a row in the cinch league 2. Gary Naysmith made two enforced changes to the side that defeated Stranraer at Ochilview last weel. The injured Nicky Jamieson was replaced by Edin Lynch, and the suspended Nat Wedderburn was replaced by Kyle Jacobs for his first start for the Warriors.
The opening stages were even but the Warriors did have two big chances to take the lead. Kyle Jacobs put a header just over the bar and some defensive confusion from Peterhead saw the Warriors almost go a goal up on the 10th minute.
Peterhead responded well, having their own opportunity to take the lead on the 20-minute mark. Some good linkup play between Keiran Shanks and Connor O’Keefe saw Shanks through on goal however he couldn’t get the ball beyond Jameson
The Blue Toon should have taken the lead just a couple of minutes later. O’Keefe found himself in acers of space inside the box and was able to get a shot away, but his attempt went just wide of the post.
Peterhead took the lead on the half hour mark. Hamish Ritchie was left unmarked at the back post, and a looping cross from Danny Strachan found him, and he could head past Darren Jamieson to give the home side the lead.
But as we’ve seen a couple of times this season, it was an instant response from the Warriors. Just four minutes after going behind Stenhousemuir got back level. Gregor Buchanans’ head got on the end of an Adam Brown corner at the back post, and the captain headed the ball into the net.
Peterhead had the first opportunity in the second half on 50 minutes. Peter Pawlett slipped through O’Keefe, but he could find the target from a tight angle.
Apart from that Peterhead chance, the second half was uneventful with clear chances being very few and far between. That changed however in the 74th minute when Peterhead retook the lead. A ball was played across the box and Ritchie was there to get his second of the match.
Jordan Kirkpatrick came on off the bench to play for the first time since the win against Bonnyrigg on the 23rd September.
Stenhousemuir tried hard to get an equaliser having a couple of corners late on, The Blue Toon were able to seal a victory for themselves after what was a very stop start second half thanks to multiple fouls from both sides.
Peterhead
1, McKenzie, 2, Strachan, 15, Ross, 6, Strachan, 32, Duffy, 7, Ritchie (Brown 90’), 8, McCarthy, 12, Brown, 77, O’Keefe (McAllister 64’), 19, Pawlett (Ward 82’), 10, Shanks (Stewart 90’). Substitutes:
Substitutes
3, Armstrong, 4, Goldie, 9, McAllister, 11, Ward, 13, Wood, 16, Wilson, 18, Brown, 25, Stewart.
Stenhousemuir
1, Jamieson, 2, Meechan, 4, Buchanan, 18, Lynch, 14, Bilham, 16, O’Reilly (Berry 73’), 17, Anderson, 20, Jacobs (Kirkpatrick 80’), 11, Brown (Stirling 87’), 9, Aitken, 10, Yates (Rodden 73’).
Substitutes
7, Kirkpatrick, 8, Berry, 15, Stirling, 34, Lyle, 80, Rodden.
Match report by Angus Blacklock
