Match Report

Stenhousemuir v Airdrieonians at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 15.15

Ladbrokes League One                  Att 731

Stenhousemur 2 [ Cook 42, Eddington 90] Airdrieonians 1 [ Crighton 48]

Stenhousemuir – Barclay, McCormack, Summers [Henderson 65], Meechan, Murray, Robertson, Gilhaney [McShane 75], Stirling, McMenamin [Eddington 84], Smith and Cook. Subs not used – Hamilton, McCroary and Shaw.

Airdrieonians – Parry [b85], Bain, O’Neil, McBride [ Stewart 22], Crighton, Lithgow [b14], Gilfillan [ Morton h/t], Watt, Morgan, Sumsky [b51][Prunty 70] and Cox. Subs not used – McAleer, Ferguson, Van Zanten and Glackin.

Referee – Gavin Duncan                               Assistants –  Evan Cairns and David Burns             

After two long distance journeys it was good to get back to Ochilview for the Warriors first home game this season in a national competition. The Warriors made a promising start without really creating a goalscoring opportunity and the first time that either keeper was called into action was when Neil Parry made a comfortable save from a Ross Meechan header after 15 minutes. Although for most of the first half the home side were on top it was Airdrie that came closest to scoring when Sean Crighton saw a powerful header from a Nicolas Sumsky free kick well saved by Jamie Barclay in the 33th minute and another Sumsky set piece was scrambled clear shortly afterwards. As the half drew to a close through the Warriors had the better of the play and after Allan Smith saw a header go wide they took the lead in the 42^nd minute when Alan Cook reacted quickly to pounce after Parry had blocked a strike and Cook fired home from a tight angle. A minute later the lead was almost doubled as Mark Gilhaney saw a shot from 25 yards go just wide with Parry struggling to get back to cover.

The half time whistle blew with the Warriors deservedly ahead though they knew it was a tight game.

Airdrie’s main threat was at set plays and this was no surprise as the Warriors were missing the leadership and presence of Stuart Malcolm in the heart of defence. Meechan and Murray fought hard but they struggled at the start of the second half with Crighton testing Barclay just after the resumption before the keeper was eventually beaten by a Crighton header in the 48^th minute. After that Airdrie were on top apart from a Gilhaney shot that ex-Warrior Parry parried out. Nevertheless the visitors failed to make the most of their play and it was obvious things weren’t going to go their way when the normally deadly Bryan Prunty missed from 12 yards when he usually punishes the Warriors when he has the chance.

As in the first half though Stenhousemuir showed good spirit and in the last five minutes took control of the game and after a couple of close things they took the lead in stoppage time when subs Jon McShane and Fraser Eddington combined for the latter to burst through the visitors defence before tucking the ball into the net for his first senior goal and also the winner to give Stenhousemuir a vital three points.