Match Report

MATCH REPORT

Annan Athletic v Stenhousemuir at Galabank, Annan on 31.08.19

SPFL Ladbrokes League Two             Att 362

Annan Athletic 1 [Nade 31] Stenhousemuir 1 [McGuigan 29]

Annan Athletic – Taylor, Douglas, Ballantyne [b23], Bradley [Sonkur 90], Barr [b69], Swinglehurst, McLean, Wilkie, Muir [Currie 89], McLear [Watson 59] and Nade. Subs not used – Avci, Griffiths, Holt and Walker. 

Stenhousemuir – Smith, O’Neil, McKernon, Marsh, Halleran [Anderson 74], McGuigan, Hopkirk, Cook, McLaughlin, A.Munro  [b32] and Gibson [b46]. Subs not used – Marley, Dykes, Gibbons, Watters, M.Munro and Scullion

Referee – Duncan Williams   Assistants – Graham Chambers and Blair Comerford

After the disappointment of the Edinburgh City game manager Colin McMenamin made a number of changes for this encounter against the Galabankies. The key change though was the introduction of veteran Willie Gibson who was making his debut after being released from Peterhead due to work commitments,

The Warriors started the game slowly and the best chances fell in the early stages to the home side. Steven Swinglehurst missed the target with a header in the third minute and in the ninth Scott McLean was denied by a Graeme Smith block, though perhaps justice was done as players had been offside in the build up. Darren Barr tested Smith in the 21^st minute before Mark McGuigan had the first real effort for the Warriors saved a minute later. McGuigan was to be on the scoresheet in the 29^th minute when he stroked home a rebound after Alan Cook had a strike saved by Aaran Taylor. There was little time to celebrate though as Annan were back on level terms within two minutes when Christian Nade scored from close range. Andy Munro was cautioned for dissent as he felt that a foul had been committed for the goal.

This proved to be the last goal to be scored despite chances being created at both ends of the park. David Hopkirk who was a threat throughout hit a long range effort just wide in the 34^th minute but Annan came closest to going ahead in the first period through a well struck 25 yard curler from Kyle Wilkie that struck the crossbar in the 43^rd minute.

Almost immediately after the resumption, Matthew Douglas seen a header from a McLean corner strike the upright. At the other end Hopkirk saw a drilled effort saved before it was Andy Munro’s turn to see the goal frame deny him when he also struck the bar in the 54^th minute.

The best chance of the second half to date fell to McGuigan in the 66^th minute after he met a Hopkirk cross but from only six yards out and the goal wide open he blasted over.

Despite being the home side Annan at times gave the impression [no doubt a false premise] of being happy with a point and at times lacked urgency. This was highlighted when Darren Barr was cautioned for kicking the ball away.

Despite this, Annan did have a chance in the 76^th minute when Tommy Muir was only denied by the alertness of Graeme Smith who managed to block his strike.

Stenhousemuir struck the woodwork once again in the 80^th minute when another Hopkirk shot hit the post with the keeper beaten.

Nevertheless the game ended in a 1-1 draw though it is a while since the Warriors have featured in a game when the woodwork was struck so often. It was an improved performance with the composure of Gibson on the ball being a calming influence of the style of football being played rather than the kick and rush of the previous week.