2Match Report
Stenhousemuir v Peterhead at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 9.3.10
Irn Bru Scottish Second Division Att 207
Stenhousemuir 2 [Gibb 72, Dalziel 87] Peterhead 0
Both teams had changes from the starting elevens from Saturday’s one all draws against Arbroath and Stirling Albion respectively. For Stenhousemuir Michael Hunter made his first senior start whilst Iain Diack stepped up from the bench and Kevin Bradley returned from injury.
Peterhead made two changes with Jon Crawford returning after suspension and Davie Ross coming back after injury.
Peterhead started brightly and created their first chance in the 2nd minute of the game when a Martin Bavidge cross was headed just wide by Davie Ross and a couple of minutes later the combined again opening up the home defence before Bavidge had a snapshot that just missed the target. Peterhead were the more likely looking team in the early stages but Stenhousemuir gave a glimpse of what they were capable in the 11th minute when a well constructed move ended with Pat Scullion narrowly shooting past from just outside the box. As the game progressed the chances became fewer but Peterhead should have opened the scoring in the 33rd minute when a Barry Wilson corner found Ross in the six yard box but he blasted his effort over the bar. Three minutes later Nicky Clark chested the ball down and burst into a good position but his powerful effort went just over the bar.
Stenhousemuir fired a warning shot just before half time when Paul Jarvie was called into action to deny Iain Diack but the effort would not have counted anyway as the striker had strayed offside.
The Warriors upped the tempo at the start of the second period and Iain Diack on a couple of occasions within quick succession. The first effort saw him spin and fire in a shot from a Pat Scullion cross but he was to be denied by a block from Calum McDonald this was followed by with a first time effort from a Stephen Thomson cross that Paul Jarvie did well to save.
At the other end Chris McCluskey was to prove his worth as a shot stopper to deny Barry Wilson whose long range drive was superbly tipped round the post and then from the resultant corner was to deny McDonald at close range
Stenhousemuir rung the changes to try and get all three points with Kevin Bradley who had played well on his return being replaced by Andy Stirling who when he featured showed plenty of confidence in his play. Scott Dalziel came on in the 71st minute to replace the hard working Robert Love and within seconds of the change the Warriors took the lead.
As seems to be the norm for Stenhousemuir these days it was from a set piece when Scott Gibb bundled home a Kevin Motion corner at the back post. McDonald came close to equalising in the 77th minute with a glancing header from a Barry Wilson free kick. And this was followed by a Nicky Clark effort that was deflected just wide.
The Warrior’s third sub Paul Quinn almost made an instant impact after replacing Iain Diack, who had put in a good shift in his first start for a while, when he had an effort pushed round the post by Jarvie. Eventually however secured all three points when the subs Quinn and Dalziel combined before Dalziel slid the ball into the net from 12 yards with three minutes remaining.
When the final whistle blew with the score two nil for the Warriors they had created a little bit of history as it was the first time that they had ever beaten Peterhead in the league. More importantly for the current players it meant that they leapfrogged Peterhead and moved into fifth spot in the league. It is just a pity that it was not witnessed by a larger attendance than the paltry 207 that watched the game
Stenhousemuir – McCluskey, Hunter, S.Thomson, Gibb, McLeod, Thom, Love [Dalziel 71], Scullion, Diack [Quinn 84], Bradley [Stirling 64] and Motion. Subs not used – Gair and Bennett
Peterhead – Jarvie, Strachan, Smith, Crawford, McDonald, Emslie, B.Wilson, Ross [bruce 64], Bavidge [Gettens 80], Clark and Sharp. Subs not used – McVittie, Bowden and K.Wilson
Referee – John McKendrick Assistants – Frank Connor and Scott Love
