Match Report

Stenhousemuir v Brechin City at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 02.02.16

SPFL Ladbrokes League One                        Att 213

Stenhousemuir 0 Brechin City 0

Stenhousemuir – Bowman, J.McCormack, Paterson [B78], Meechan, Murray, J.Robertson, Gilhaney, Marenghi [Mazana 68], McMenamin, Stirling and Cook [b35][Small 85]. Subs not used – Summers, Malcolm, McCroary, S.Robertson and Eddington.

Brechin City – G.Smith, Fusco, Dyer [b85], D.McCormack [Dods 54], Culjak, Spence, Weatherston [Johnston 79], Dale, Jackson, Thomson and Shepherd [Tiffoney 73]. Subs not used – Molloy, Montgomery and E.Smith. 

Referee – Steven Kirkland   Assistants – Mark McLean and Drew Kirkland.

The Warriors were leading 1-0 on the 18^th of January through a Colin McMenamin strike at half time when the game was correctly abandoned due to constant snow repeatedly obliterating the lines making the pitch unplayable. No ones appetite appears to have been whetted for this re-arranged game with a very poor crowd of 213 in attendance.

Stenhousemuir made two changes to the starting eleven from the first game with Graham Bowman replacing the injured  Jamie Barclay and Anthony Marenghi replacing Kieran Millar who was ill. For Brechin Paul McLean and Dene Shields dropped out with Scott Shepherd replacing Shields and new signing on loan from Aberdeen Croatian youngster taking a defensive berth.

In the first outing Stenhousemuir had looked good value for their lead, this however was a far more even affair. The Warriors did have strong claims for a penalty in the fourth minute when Alan Cook appeared to be felled as he ran into the box but all appeals were waived away. Two minutes later at the other end a Shepherd cross caused major problems before being scrambled clear. The best chance came in the 13^th minute when Mark Gilhaney and McMenamin combined in a one-two but Gilhaney after doing the hard work dragged his shot wide. Brechin were having most of the play though in a disjointed half but their efforts were usually blocked by defenders with the exception being a spin and shot by Robert Thomson in the 21^st minute that was comfortably saved by Bowman. The highlight of the game for many came in the 42^nd minute when Andy Jackson created an opening through skilful ball control but the chance petered out. Just before half time a dipping shot by Cook was just stopped by Graeme Smith and Marenghi failed to take advantage of the rebound.

Brechin had the better of the first half but suffered a blow in the 54^th minute when Darren McCormack had to leave the field through injury. The visitors though should have taken the lead when a Jackson cross picked out David Weatherston at the back post but from only a couple of yards out he missed the target. The introduction of Carlos Mazana added to the Stenhousemuir attack and he almost scored in the 78^th minute with a long range effort that crashed off the crossbar. In the last stages of the game both sides had chances with Bowman saving a Jackson header but Graeme Smith was to be the busier of the keepers saving efforts from Mazana and Small.

In the end though there was no scoring in a game where both teams could not be faulted for effort and a draw was a fair result. From a Stenhousemuir point of view though they gave the ball away cheaply too often but Brechin lacked lack or confidence at times to capitalise.