Match Report

MATCH REPORT

Stenhousemuir v Queens Park at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir  on 07.03.20

SPFL Ladbrokes League Two             Att 581

Stenhousemuir 0 Queens Park 0

Stenhousemuir – Smith [b90], Tiffoney, Wilson, Armstrong, A.Munro , Hopkirk, McLaughlin, Moore, Blair [b86], Biabi and Spence.  Subs not used – McBrearty, Burns, Terry, Massouaghou, Harkins, Halleran and McGuigan. 

Queens Park –  Muir, Finnie, Doig, Slater[so 90], P.Grant, Davidson [b90], King [Lidouren 76], Kouider-Aissa, Galt and McLean [Moore 74]. Subs not used – Bell, Moore, Main,  Jamieson, Little, Lidouren and J.Grant

Referee – Lloyd Wilson                      Assistants – Graeme McNeillie and Blair Comerford

After their first 0-0 draw in 89 games at Forthbank in midweek the Warriors went into this game showing only one change to the starting eleven with Botti Biabi replacing Mark McGuigan who had a slight knock.

The game started with Queens Park on top as befits a team who have only lost one game in nine and they looked to have taken the lead in the first minute of the game when Graeme Smith was beaten. However, a tight offside decision against David Galt who was interfering with play meant that the ‘goal’ was disallowed.

The Spiders played a high pressing game that knocked Stenhousemuir out of any rhythm and the bulk of the play was in the wrong half of the pitch as far as Stenhousemuir supporters were concerned. Ex-Partick striker Craig Slater was unlucky with a powerful curling drive that went just wide and Smith brought off a superb block with his feet to deny Slater once again in the 21^st minute. The closest that Stenhousemuir came wa from set plays with Andy Munro heading a Scott McLaughlin corner wide and the latter saw a free kick go just over. Queens Ross MacLean struck a volley just wide and Josh Doig was unlucky after winning the ball from David Hopkirk only to see his subsequent strike his the backside of Bob Wilson. The catalyst for much of Queen’s attacks came from David Galt and towards the end of the half he caused problems with a show that swerved and a grateful Smith did just enough to stop.

There is no doubt That Queens should have been ahead at half time but Stenhousemuir fought back in the second period and could have taken the lead in the 57^th minute when Greig Spence and Hopkirk were denied by a superb double save from Willie Muir. The Queens keeper made another save from Hopkirk in the 70^th minute that took a deflection but was gathered with poise for what would actually have been a difficult save made to look easy.

Stenhousemuir were certainly the better in the second period but they like Queens in the first half were not rewarded for their efforts and the talking point in the latter stages was the number of cautions given by the referee  for which only one involved physical contact. Slater was dismissed in time added on for dissent but it was too late for Stenhousemuir to take advantage.

The final whistle blew without any goals and thus this game was the first 0-0 draw at Ochilview after 96 games when at least one goal was scored. It also marked the first back to back nil nil draws since Stenhousemuir won the 2008-09 promotion play-offs against Cowdenbeath.

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