4Match Report
Stenhousemuir v Peterhead at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 26.02.11
Irn Bru Scottish Second Division Att 363
Stenhousemuir 4 [Williams 29, Dalziel 40, Anderson 45, Lynch 88] Peterhead 2 [Emslie 35, McDonald 38]
Although there was still a third of the season to be played prior to this game it looked as if a win was imperative for the Warriors to keep their Second Division hopes alive.
This was the battle between the bottom two teams but Peterhead were four points ahead prior to this game and had the chance to make it seven by the end of the game
With all this at stake the Warriors pushed hard for the opening goal and Peterhead in the early stages were pushed back into their own half of the field and Scott Dalziel; and Andy Stirling who was replacing the suspended Stevie Murray both came close to opening the scoring. It took until the 20th minute of the game before Peterhead had their first attempt at goal and it would have been a contender for goal of the season if it went it as Paul Emslie had Ally Brown scrambling with an effort from 60 yards out but the keeper was able to retrieve the situation and save his blushes. Stenhousemuir were quick to retaliate and Grant Anderson had an effort wide from distance in the 25th minute and then a minute later Stirling, Dalziel and Anderson combined to set up Eric Paton on the edge of the box but his effort took the slightest of deflections to go the wrong side of the post for a corner.
Eventually Stenhousemuir took a deserved lead in the 29th minute when an Alex Williams toepoke caught John Bateman out and ended in the net. Peterhead should have equalised when Scott Gibb misjudged the ball in the sun and Martin Bavidge found himself with only Brown to beat but his effort struck the side netting. Williams then failed to make contact at the other end when a touch would have put Stenhousemuir two up. The 35th minute saw Peterhead equalise when Emslie finished a move that should have been ended earlier but two sloppy tackles had allowed it to go on. Three minutes later they took the lead when Callum McDonald struck. At this stage the pendulum appeared to have swung in Peterhead’s favour but the game was level once again in the 40th minute when Bateman struggled to deal with a Sean Dickson corner under pressure from Scott Dalziel and the marksman bundled the ball home from close range.
The first half scoring did not stop there however as the Warriors took the lead with practically the last touch of the half when Grant Anderson headed home an Andy Stirling cross.
After the action of the first half the second period was a more sedate affair as Anderson’s goal appeared to knock Peterhead off their stride and for much of it Stenhousemuir once more were in control.
The closest that either team came to scoring was when a powerful drive from Anderson went just over the bar and then a Paton effort drifted just wide after good build up play by Dickson
Despite their dominance it took until the 88th minute for the home side to be able to breathe more easily when Simon Lynch who had just came off the tucked the ball home from close range after Andy Stirling had played the ball out to Dalziel and his cross was met by Lynch.
This was the final goal of the game and a jubilant set of Stenhousemuir fans celebrated victory at the final whistle as they realised that there was still much to play for this season despite remaining bottom at least there was hope of recovery whilst for the Peterhead faithful it was to be a very long journey home.
Stenhousemuir –Brown, Lyle, Dickson, Gibb, Fusco [b38], I.Thomson [b48], Anderson [Clark 89], Dalziel, Williams [Lynch 82], Paton and Stirling [Sloan 90]. Subs not used – Smith and McCluskey
Peterhead – Bateman, Strachan, Stuart Smith [Moore h/t], S.Ross [b80], McDonald, Emslie, Sharp [b51], D.Ross [Gethins 75], Bavidge, Clark [b57] and Stirling Smith. Subs not used – Wyness, McVitie and Jarvie
Referee – Craig Charleston Assistants – Brian McGarry and Derek Rose
