Match Report

Stenhousemuir were penned back to a defeat against a struggling Montrose side.

The Warriors were keen to get back to winning ways as they welcomed Montrose to Ochilview, a stadium that has hosted some dominant Warriors displays over the course of the season.

Montrose had all but wrapped up three points by half time through Sandilands’ brace and a Striton goal. The Warriors did attempt to make amends in the second half as they showed an incredible test of character. However, goals from Alston and Aitken wouldn’t be enough for the Warriors as they had to settle for a defeat at home as they continue to push for the playoffs.

Warriors’ Wobble

The Warriors had a lacklustre performance in the first half that disappointedly set them back three goals by half time. Montrose arguably dominated the first half and could have easily added to their tally.

The visitors had an early chance to take the lead in the 4th minute through Lyons’ freekick though it was straight at Deejay. Ross Taylor could similarly have opened the scoring in the 21st minute, but his effort was an equally easy save.

Montrose fired another few warning shots before hitting the target in the 24th minute. Striton’s freekick forced Deejay to make a save, though he couldn’t hold onto the ball and Sandilands was there to pounce and tap in to edge the visitors in front. 0-1.

Montrose piled on the pressure and reaped the reward three minutes later when a long ball over the top took out the Warriors’ defence and Striton was on hand to fire the ball home. 0-2.

The Warriors looked buried before half time and Montrose added insult to injury as they pushed on for a third goal, with Sandilands bagging himself a brace, though Lyons who played the pass through looked to be offside. 0-3.

The Warriors came out after half time and showed their quality as they strived to give a better account of themselves, and with a lift from the crowd they looked more like themselves.

Substitute Alston, pounced on loose play in the Montrose box, after a wicked Yates’ freekick, and poked the ball in throwing the Warriors a lifeline. 1-3.

O’Donnell nearly had his name on the scoresheet as he attempted to chip the onrushing goalie, however, his effort bounced wide. Matty Aitken ensured that he got his goal in the 86th minute when O’Reilly’s superb cross was met by the striker who fired home. 2-3.

The crowd came alive with a real sense of belief pounding around the stadium and this sensation intensified when Yates thundered the ball into the back of the net from a cross, though the feeling was short lived as the linesman flagged for offside. This was a disappointing result as the game swung in Montrose’s favour as they came out on top in their 2-3 victory.

Naysmith: “I think that we beat ourselves today”

“The third goal is the one that killed us, at 0-2 down we need to get in at half time and regroup, it’s very difficult to come back from three.

“We have to learn as a team that there are moments in a game when you just have to manage it for two or three minutes, but I didn’t think there was too much in the game in the first half.

“The biggest frustration that I’ve got is that we didn’t manage the game.”

Banner: “It’s a game of two halves”

“I didn’t think we started too badly then the first goal, they got momentum from the wind and it’s a really poor goals to lose on our behalf.

“We regathered ourselves and gave a go of it in the second half. I thought we got two really good goals and at times and had a chance to level it.

“It just wasn’t our day in the end and it’s frustrating.”

The Warriors march onto next weekend when we take on Alloa at home again, and as always, your support is vital. Please make sure you stay up to date via all our social media channels.

 

Match Report by Louise Davidson 

Photographs by Thomas Gorman and Kristopher Dowell 

 

 

Preview

The valiant Warriors return to Ochilview for their first of two successive home ties. This weekend, for the first home tie we face Montrose.

The Warriors have been finding their form again over the last few weeks and have successfully maintained clean sheets against both Kelty Hearts and Cove Rangers.

Captain Gregor Buchanan, shared his thoughts as we enter into this pivotal point of the season:

“We are looking forward to having another home game, we can use that as motivation to aim for the three points in front of a home crowd. There’s been some tough opposition over the last few weeks, and we look at Saturday no differently. We have worked hard in training this week and we will see what happens on Saturday.

“We have two consecutive home games, and we will be looking to capitalise on playing in front of our fans.”

Ochilview has been an extremely difficult place for opposition to visit this season with the Warriors only having lost three homes games. Montrose, who have only won one of their last five games, will have stiff opposition at the weekend.

Last time out the Warriors dominated over dismal Montrose

The two sides last met in February and a relentless Warriors’ performance wrapped up three points in Montrose. Alston, Taylor and O’Donnell all added their names to the scoresheet last time out.

O’Donnell’s goal in this fixture will arguably be one of the best of the season, even a contender for the Puskas Award, after he lobbed the keeper from outside the box to top off a spectacular afternoon for the Warriors.

Ross Taylor, who has been coming back from injury, will be eager to add to his goal tally once again and will be aiming to push further forward in his best goal scoring season for Stenny.

As the Warriors continue their push at the top of the table your support is vital. Make sure you join us at Ochilview Park at the weekend to spur on Gary and the boys. Please stay up to date via all our social media channels.

Kick off: 3pm 30th March

Location: Ochilview Park

Match Preview by Louise Davidson