Match Report

Stenhousemuir v Queen of the South at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 29.12.12

Irn Bru Scottish Second Division               Att 632

Stenhousemuir 1 [ Kean 90] Queen of the South 3 [Reilly 31,68, Clark 54]

Coming into this game the Warriors were still missing a number of players such as John Gemmell, Eric Paton, Andy Rodgers and Scot Buist who would all have a part to play in the vital game against Queen of the South who look as if they will run away with the league.

Stenhousemuir were on top in the early stages of the game without being really threatening . The only half chances coming in the 11^th minute when Mark Durnan mishit a pass and Lee Robinson had to clear his lines as Darren Smith tried to get collect and a wild shot by Craig Anderson a couple of minutes later.

In 22 minutes there was an altercation between Nicky Clark and Iain Thomson after the Queens player felt aggrieved at a tackle and Thomson was eventually cautioned though he had tried not to get involved. The Warrior who was playing in central defence for the injured Scot Buist had to subdue his game after that and to watch his step.

The league leaders Queen of the South scored with their first real attack of the game in 31 minutes. The Doonhamers were awarded a free kick outside the box and Chris Mitchell struck the free straight into the wall, Stenhousemuir were slow to respond when the rebound was played back into the danger by Daniel Orsi and it was met by Gavin Reilly who tucked the ball past Callum Reidford. The Stenhousemuir players and management felt that not only was Reilly offside but also an arm was used. Nevertheless the goal was allowed to stand. Six minutes later Nicky Clark fired a Mitchell free kick just over the bar with the keeper beaten as Queens began to stamp their authority on the game.

Just after the resumption a Stewart Kean effort for the home side from a Bryan Hodge corner was cleared off the line by Chris Mitchell. That however was the only scare for Queen of the South until the latter stages as they strolled through the game. They  extended the lead in the 54^th minute when the Stenhousemuir defence was carved open by a Gavin Reilly pass that picked out Nicky Clark and the in form striker stroked the ball past the despairing Callum Reidford with a clinical effort.

The Warrior’s Stewart Kean made an opening for himself in the 65^th minute and hit a decent drive that Lee Robinson fumbled. There were no takers for the rebound though as Kean was having to plough a lone path up front and the support was non-existent.  Queens were far more precise in their play and they scored a well deserved third goal in the 68^th minute when Danny Carmichael threaded a ball into Gavin Reilly to fire into the net.

After this setback the Warriors made two substitutions with trialist Owen Ronald ex-Queens Park and Stuart Love taking the stage. They were unable to make a mark though on a Queens team that could have probably extended their lead further if they wanted to but instead were happy to conserve energy for the other games in the holiday period.  

Stenhousemuir scored a consolation goal in the 90^th minute through the hardworking Kean when he met a Ross McMillan head flick following a Hodge corner and volleyed home from six yards. It was a case of too little too late for the home side as Queen of the South were worthy winners and showed why they are forging clear at the top of the league.

With the Warriors failing once again to pick up points at home it means that they will need to improve their results on the road and will be hoping to do so with the visit to Alloa on Wednesday where they got their only away win in the league this season.

Stenhousemuir – Reidford, Ross, McKinlay, I.Thomson [b22], McMillan, Hodge, Ferguson, C.Anderson, Kean, Dickson [b31][Love 70], Smith [Ronald][T][70],  Subs not used –  Shaw, Duncan and  Lawson

Queen of the South –  Robinson, McGuffie, Holt, Durnan, Higgins, Young [Johnston 76], Orsi [McKenna 34] Mitchell, Reilly, Clark[b63] [Smith 76] and Carmichael, Subs not used – Black and Atkinson.

Referee – Mike Tumilty               Assistants – James Campbell and Graeme Stewart