Match Report

MATCH REPORT

Elgin City v Stenhousemuir at Borough Briggs, Elgin on 18.01.20

SPFL Ladbrokes League Two             Att 573

Elgin City 2 [Mackay 78, Bronsky 80] Stenhousemuir 3 [Spence 1, 90, McGuigan 39]

Elgin City – McHale, MacEwan, Harper [Mackay 73], Cooper, Bronsky. Dingwall [Graham h/t], Omar [b59] [Osadolor 61], Cameron [b82], Hester [b16], Sutherland and O’Keefe. Subs not used – Sopel, Wilson, Hay and Kelly

Stenhousemuir – Smith [b82], Tiffoney, McLaughlin, Munro, Wilson, Blair [b57], Hopkirk, McBrearty [McBride 86], Moore, Spence and McGuigan [Biani 74]. Subs not used –  Halleran, Watters, Armstrong and Marley

Referee – Gavin Price            Assistants – Chris Phillips and Duncan Nicolson

The trip to Elgin is a long one and the Warriors over the years have not been the best of travellers. Despite this though they were victorious in their last encounter thanks to an Andy Munro goal and they were hoping to repeat the feat on this occasion.

Coming straight into the starting eleven was Callum Moore making his debut on loan from Dundee and he showed glimpses of potential in this game.

Although the Warriors have been the victims of some slow starts in matches despite their preparation they were buoyed by how this game progressed with Greig Spence opening the scoring in the first minute of the game when he lashed the ball home after Mark McGuigan dummied a Jonathan Tiffoney cross. This was his first goal for the club and was the first goal in Scotland that day.

Elgin responded well to this setback and came close to equalising a minute later when Shane Sutherland’s shot across goal just missed at the back post. Rabin Omar came closest though to getting the equaliser on the half hour with an effort that hit the side netting.

Things were made worse for the home side in the 39^th minute though when Stenhousemuir extended their lead. Spence was the catalyst with a drive into the box and then he picked out David Hopkirk whose effort was saved by Tom McHale and although the initial rebound was blocked McGuigan pounced to fire home from close range.

Elgin made a change at half time with Russell Dingwall being replaced by Ross Graham and this along with a change in formation seemed to benefit City. An Omar cross was just missed by Kane Hester at the back post and then Brian Cameron saw a volley go wide shortly afterwards.  Graeme Smith was in action considerably more than in the first half and he made a double save on the hour to deny Elgin. Hester then fired wide from a through ball by Smart Osodolor as the pressure was put on the visitors and eventually Elgin made the breakthrough with a superb dipping shot by Daniel Mackay that beat Smith despite the keeper not being too far off his line.

Ryan Blair then cleared an effort off the line before Elgin pulled level when Steven Bronsky scored following a goalmouth scramble. Smith and Cameron were booked for a confrontation. There was to be a winner in stoppage time but it wasn’t for Elgin as Stenhousemuir made a final surge and subs Botti Biabi crossed into the danger area where Connor McBride was brave in getting his head to the ball and Spence took full advantage to steer the ball home and thus David Irons was rewarded for his attacking measures when he could have just tried to shut up shop and look for a point.