Match Report

MATCH REPORT
Aberdeen v Stenhousemuir at Pittodrie Stadium, Aberdeen on 19.01.19
William Hill Scottish Cup Fourth Round Att 9,661
Aberdeen 1 [Lowe 20] Stenhousemuir 1 [McGuigan 70]

Aberdeen –Lewis, Logan, Shinnie, Cosindine, McKenna, McGinn [May 77], Mackay-Steven [McLennan 63], Stewart, Cosgrove, Ferguson and Lowe. Subs not used – Cerny, Gleeson, Wilson, Wright and Ball.

Stenhousemuir – Smith, Duthie, Munro, Donaldson, Neill, Dickson, McBrearty [b51], Ferry, Cook [Reid 47], Dingwall [Halleran 89] and McGuigan [Vaughan 90]. Subs not used – McMinn, Tena and Paterson.

Referee – Barry Cook Assistants – Douglas Ross and Stuart Hodge.

The Warriors travelled up to Aberdeen for their first ever Scottish Cup tie at Pittodrie with most having little expectation of a positive result. Only those with youthful enthusiasm could see Stenhousemuir getting anything out of the game whilst the thoughts of the older supporter was more about keeping the score respectable.

The reasons were clear and logical. Aberdeen had picked up 18 points in December in the Premiership which is more than Stenhousemuir have collected in their League One campaign. Derek McInnes had won the manager of the month and striker Sam Cosgrove was the Premiership player of the month.

Whilst January had been a harsh month for Stenhousemuir losing heavily to Raith Rovers and Arbroath, Aberdeen had been able to take a winter training camp in Dubai as the Premiership had their winter break.

Derek McInnes fielded a strong side for this game including new loan signing Greg Stewart on loan from Birmingham City and Max Lowe who had been re-loaned to the Dons after returning to parent club Derby County in January.

Colin McMenamin brought in new signing Andy Munro from Forfar Athletic and he slotted straight into a central defensive role partnering Morgyn Neill. It became obvious from the start of the game that Stenhousemuir had a tight defensive plan with almost everyone behind the ball for large portions of the game.

The home side were lacking their game sharpness after their lay-off and as a consequence they struggled to penetrate the visitor’s rearguard actions. Eventually though in the 20th minute of the game they breached the Stenhousemuir defence and were rewarded when Lowe scored from close range after turning a Graeme Shinnie cross into the net.

Stenhousemuir to their credit didn’t capitulate after this and although there was a scare when an Andrew Considine shot slipped through the grasp of Graeme Smith but was cleared by Ruaridh Donaldson. The Warriors managed to get to the half time interval only the goal down but supporters were awaiting the onslaught in the second half.

It didn’t look promising when Alan Cook left the pitch only two minutes after the resumption through an eye injury. Graeme Smith saved well from Gary Mackay-Steven and Greg Stewart and the latter also rattled the crossbar

It looked as if a goal must come but when it did it was a shock to everyone as it was Stenhousemuir who actually scored. Donaldson intercepting a pass after a Stenhousemuir attack had broken down and the defender whipped in a peach of a cross that was met by a diving header from Mark McGuigan that gave Joe Lewis no chance in the Aberdeen goal.
Stenhousemuir grew in belief after this and although Aberdeen pushed for the winner the Warriors had their own half chances before the final whistle brought down the curtain on an intriguing tie and meant that the teams have to do it all again.