Match Report

Peterhead v Stenhousemuir at Balmoor Stadium, Peterhead on 20.9.14 SPFL Division One Att 486

Peterhead 1 [Noble 3] Stenhousemuir 0

Peterhead – G.Smith, Sharp, Noble, R.Smith, Ross, Donaldson [b69], Rodgers [Brown 6], Redman [b71], McAllister, Stevenson [McCann 42] and Cowie [Gilfillan 36]. Subs not used – Strachan, Richardson, McLaren and Jarvie.

Stenhousemuir – Fleming, Meechan, Greacen, McMillan [b56], Summers [Lithgow 85], K.Millar, Faulds [R.Millar 66] Watt [Reid 66], Grehan, Walsh and Oliver. Subs not used – Duncan, Dickson, Sludden and Shaw.

Referee – Crawford Allan Assistants – Alastair Mather and Craig Sim

Although the Warriors fell to their fourth league defeat in five games there were more positives to take from this game than of late.

Stenhousemuir gave Tom Walsh a loanee from Rangers his debut and he settled into the team well and looks like a useful addition to the squad. He was still finding his feet though when the home side took the lead through skipper Steven Noble. There was a touch of fortune in his strike though as he didn’t connect properly and the ball sailed over Greg Fleming and into the net. The keeper looked to be in the correct position for the shot but the miss-hit effort caught everyone out. That to be fair was one of the few pieces of good fortune for the Blue Toon in the half as they were forced to use all substitutes in the first period as players succumbed to injury, though none looked to be on the end of a robust tackle.

Ex-Warrior Andy Rodgers was the first to suffer misfortune as he had to leave the pitch shortly after the goal. The Warriors were playing with purpose but lacked that cutting edge and were almost made to pay when Rory McAllister got behind the defence but headed over from six yards out in what was a real let off. Jamie Stevenson then saw an effort drift just wide before the play was transferred to the other end where Walsh hit a similar effort just wide as well.

Ross McMillan headed a Josh Watt corner into the side netting before Graeme Smith was called into action to save a Gary Oliver effort after Walsh and Oliver had combined. The save was a routine one as the shot lacked power but the build up play was pleasing. It was Peterhead though that should have scored the next goal with Greg Fleming forced into a fine double save in the 40th minute to deny Stevenson then Graeme Sharp in quick succession. The home side will have felt that they should have had a penalty almost immediately after the resumption. Greg Fleming initially put the ball out of play as he intercepted a ball down the channel and he could only parry Rory McAllister’s shot from the quick throw in, he then saved the rebound from Jordon Brown before another effort by Bryan Gilfillan possibly struck Ciaran Summers hand, the referee looked at the stand side assistant for guidance but no award was given despite the vocal appeals of the Peterhead players.

Although Stenhousemuir were playing most of the football the home side continued to be the more dangerous with Fleming forced to tip a Jamie Redman header over. The Warriors made a double substitution in the 66th minute with Ryan Millar replacing Kris Faulds whilst Jamie Reid did likewise for the injured Josh Watt. This seemed to give added impetus to the Stenhousemuir attack and they started to peg back the home side for longer periods of play. Walsh had another effort that went just the wrong side of the post before Ryan Millar saw a header saved by Graeme Smith. Martin Grehan then made a clever turn on the edge of the box but his shot was stopped by Smith who once again made it look easy.

As the game entered the final stages Peterhead were coming under more pressure and were intent on running the clock down wherever possible and several players were told to hurry up by referee Crawford Allan. They did however have a potent threat up front in McAllister and he should have extended the lead in the 82nd minute when he outstripped the Stenhousemuir defence but fired wide of the target.

The Warriors threw everyone forward in an effort to get the equaliser including Greg Fleming twice at corner kicks but their efforts were not rewarded and Peterhead held out to secure all three points though the Warriors will have felt that they could have secured a share of the spoils and would have done so if they had just a bit more cutting edge in their play.