Match Report

MATCH REPORTS

Stenhousemuir v Stranraer at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 16.3.19

SPFL Ladbrokes League One              Att 362

Stenhousemuir 0 Stranraer 1 [Cameron 33]

Stenhousemuir – Smith, Reid, Neill [Donaldson h/t], Marsh, Ferry [b79], Gibbons [Duthie h/t], McGuigan, Cook [Halleran 79], Munro [b10],  McBrearty [b45] and Hurst. Subs not used – McMinn, Dickson, Dingwall and Watters

Stranraer – Currie, Brownlie, D.Smith, Hamill, Cummins, McManus, Turner, McCann. Anderson, Vitoria[O’Keefe 79] and Cameron. Subs not used – Avci, McDonald, Elliott, and Crossan.

Referee – Graham Beaton     Assistants – Andrew McWilliam and Gordon Seago

With the snow falling and the pitch covered at nine in the morning it didn’t look as if this game would go ahead. Later rain lessened the volume on the pitch and this meant a hardy band of volunteers led by Colin McMenamin got the snow shovels out and set to work. When the first contingent from Stranraer arrived there was still snow lying but they also lent a hand and eventually the pitch was cleared to the satisfaction of the referee and the game progressed.

In the end though it was the visitors who were rewarded for their efforts in this key relegation battle as they travelled home with all three points.

No one could fault the Warriors for their efforts and it is fair to say that they didn’t get the rub of the green in this match. Certainly Max Currie in the Stranraer goal was the busier of the keepers and when he was beaten either the woodwork or defence came to the rescue.

In the opening exchanges Mark McGuigan came closest with an effort cleared off the line. It took until the 24^th minute though before the Warriors looked to have scored when Andy Munro headed home an Alan Cook free-kick. Celebrations though were brought to an abrupt end though by the assistant referee who flagged for offside. Munro was onside but David Marsh had advanced forward too early but didn’t look as if he was interfering with play.

Greg Hurst then came close with a turn and spin that ended with a fine save by the Stranraer custodian. Four minutes later Stranraer took the lead in a counter attack that ended with Innes Cameron tucking the ball home from close range though the Stenhousemuir players appealed for offside.

At half time Stenhousemuir made a double substitution and they were the more threatening again in the second period with a Hurst shot that was well saved once again by Currie. As the game progressed though Stenhousemuir struggled to break through the Stranraer defence who were well marshalled by Jamie Hamill until the last minute of the game when Ruaridh Donaldson had an effort cleared off the line with virtually the last kick of the ball.