Match Report

MATCH REPORTS

Airdrieonians  v Stenhousemuir at the Excelsior Stadium Airdrie on 10.12.16

SPFL Ladbrokes League One              Att 791

Airdrieonians 0 Stenhousemuir 5 [Furtado 32, Marsh 35,56, Cook 44. Manzana 66]

Despite Airdrie struggling against the Warriors of late they were firm favourites to pick up the three points in this game having won their last six league games. That run of form saw the manager Mark Wilson pick up the November manager of the month award and Rohan Ferguson the player of the month.

It is fair to say that this game didn’t go to form though. The Warriors kept the same side that beat Forres in the Scottish Cup the previous week and they were hoping to carry the form of the first twenty minutes into this game.

In the early stages though it was mainly Airdrie who threatened in particular through Andy Ryan. Colin McCabe did well to save when David Marsh almost turned the ball into his own net in 12 minutes and the keeper had to be lively again in the 16^th minute to save from Iain Russell. Alan Cook had tested Ferguson a minute earlier and when the Warrior was scythed down by Daniel Boatang as he advanced on goal in the 22^nd minute the Airdrie player was lucky only to be cautioned.

Stenhousemuir were gradually imposing themselves on the game and took the lead in the 32^nd minute. Colin McMenamin played a one two with Cook and when McMenamin’s cross wasn’t cleared properly by Joe Gorman Willis Furtado was first to react to tuck the ball into the net. Three minutes later it was 2-0 when a Cook free kick was headed across goal by McMenamin to Marsh who took full advantage of poor marking to head home. Airdrie struggled to come to terms with the change in situation and they could have been even further behind three minutes later but a long range effort by Furtado flashed just wide. This was followed by a decent chance for Ally Roy who initially managed to round the keeper but Ferguson recovered to save Roy’s shot from a tight angle. The home side were being opened up all too easy and would have been hoping to get into the dressing room to regroup. They however fell further behind just before the interval. Boatang was exposed one on one with Roy and was appeared to catch the Stenhousemuir player. Referee Mat Northcroft concurred and the Airdrie player received his second caution of the game. Alan Cook stepped up to curl the free kick round the wall and into the net.

The Warriors showed their intent to continue pushing upon the resumption when Furtado had a shot saved by Ferguson within a minute of the restart. They went four up in the 56^th minute when Marsh eluded his marker from a Cook free kick and bundled the ball home from close range. Both sides made changes on the hour mark with Airdrie subbing Jack Leitch for Conor Scullion whilst Stenhousemuir brought on Carlos Manzana for Cook who had been nursing an injury.

The Spanish player made an almost immediate impact scoring the Warriors fifth goal as he waltzed through the heart of the Airdrie defence before firing into the roof of the net.  Iain Russell was unlucky with an effort that struck the post and Colin McCabe before going out for a corner three minutes later. The keeper didn’t know too much about it but he was more aware in the 75^th minute when he made a one handed save from Scullion. Manzana came close to his second with a half volley that was well saved by Ferguson with ten minutes left.

The final result of 5-0 was the highest win ever for Stenhousemuir over Airdrie and was the first time they had scored five in a competitive game since a Scottish Cup tie at Berwick in 13^th of November 2012 and the first time in the league since a 5-1 victory at Elgin on the 26^th of April 2008. 

Airdrieonians – R.Ferguson, McIntosh, Boatang [b22][so 43], Gorman, MacDonald [b51], Conrroy, Brown [Leighton 71], Hutton, Ryan [b29], Leitch [Scullion 60] and Russell [Cairns 71]. Subs not used – Daly, Bell, Kerr and McLaughlin

Stenhousemuir – McCabe, McCormack [b17][Meechan 71], Summers, Marsh [b53], Kerr, Berry, Roy, Millar, McMenamin [Shaw 64], Furtado and Cook [Manzana 60]. Subs not used – Hamilton, McMaster, McCroary and Robertson.

Referee – Mat Northcroft     Assistants – Graham McNellie and Craig Ferguson