Match Report

MATCH REPORT

Edinburgh City v Stenhousemuir at Ainslie Park, Edinburgh on 07.04.18

SPFL Ladbrokes League Two             Att 233

Edinburgh City 1 [Blues 70] Stenhousemuir 4 [Paton 7, McMenamin 17, Dallas 57,78]

Edinburgh City –Antell. Shiels, Laird, Thomson, Blues, McLear [Grimes 56], Shepherd [Taylor 72], Dunn [El Alagui 78], Tena, Morrison and Scullion. Subs not used – Beattie, Hall, Rodger and Morton

Stenhousemuir – Smith, Meechan, M.Dunlop [Marsh 69], R.Dunlop, Donaldson [b57], Ferry, Ferns [b49][Murray 69], Paterson, McMenamin, Paton [Cook 53] and Dallas. Subs not used – Halleran, McMinn and Longworth

Referee – Graham Beaton     Assistants – Ivan Stankovic and Richard Murray

The Warriors went into this game having beaten the Citizens four times already this season though they were a touch fortunate in the last encounter. Stenhousemuir were missing their top striker Mark McGuigan who had picked up a rib injury in training and there was a place in the starting eleven for Andy Dallas making his debut on loan from Rangers.

There was a major scare after only two minutes when the visitors defence was opened up and Craig Thomson’s strike was saved by Chris Smith though the City player should have made more of his opportunity. The nerves though were settled in the 7^th minute when Harry Paton made a strong run leaving defenders behind and he was rewarded for his efforts when he tucked the ball past Callum Antell for the first goal.

Veteran Colin McMenamin scored Stenhousemuir’s second goal in the 17^th minute when a long thrown caused Edinburgh problems and he picked up the ball and a touch and spin created an opening and he fired home. Stenhousemuir were clearly on top during the first half and they almost scored their third when McMenamin chested the ball down for Nicky Paterson but the midfielder volleyed over the bar. The only downside of the half was an injury to Paton who although he restarted after half time had to leave proceedings shortly after.

Edinburgh started the second half brightly and Lewis McLear fired just wide in the 51^st minute under pressure from the Warriors defence and they came even closer a minute later with a Scott Shepherd effort that was saved by Chris Smith.

 In the 57^th minute though Stenhousemuir scored their third goal. Alan Cook made a long distance run and slid the ball through to Dallas who showed good composure before steering the ball into the net for his first senior goal.

The home side pulled a goal back in the 70^th minute and it was via two on loan players from Falkirk that the damage was done. First of all Shepherd jabbed the ball towards goal and although Smith saved the effort he spilled the shot and Cameron Blues tucked the ball home from a few yards out.

Stenhousemuir should have had a penalty when another Cook run was ended by a clear push by Stuart Morrison but no award was forthcoming. In the end though it did not have a bearing on the finaloutcome as Stenhousemuir scored their fourth in the 78^th minute when Dallas once more struck after being picked out by an Innes Murray cross.

City almost had the final say when a Graham Taylor shot was tipped over the bar. In the end though it was a fairly comfortable win for the Warriors and hopefully will get a boost in confidence after a difficult spell prior to this game.