Match Report

Stenhousemuir v Airdrieonians at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 13.2.16

Ladbrokes SPFL League One             Att 472

Stenhousemuir 3 [Summers 16, McCormack53,90] Airdrieonians 2 [Cadden 4, Lister 46]

Stenhousemuir – McCabe, McCormack, Summers, Meechan [b90], Murray , J.Robertson, Stirling [Small 90], Millar [Mazana 80], McMenamin, Scotland and Gilhaney. Subs not used – S.Robertson, Paterson, Malcolm, Marenghi, Cook.

Airdrie – Parry, D.Ferguson, MacDonald, Fitzpatrick, Creighton, Lithgow, Cadden, Bain [Esposito 80], Lister, Mackin [Watt h/t] and Cox [so 38]. Subs not used – R.Ferguson, o’Neil, Brown, Stewart and Prunty.

Referee – Colin Steven                      Assistants – Ralph Gordon and Greg Soutar

The game survived a late pitch inspection after heavy snowfall prior to the game. With the aid of a tractor and snow shovels the game was eventually given the go ahead.

The travelling fans looked to be the happier as their team controlled the early play and they took the lead in the fourth minute through a Nicky Cadden strike after a series of shots had been blocked. It  took the home side until the 16^th minute before they had an effort on target and it resulted in a goal. A long range Ciaran Summers took a deflection and went past the stranded Neil Parry. Two minutes later the Warriors had a chance to take the lead when a clearance fell to Stephen Stirling but from the edge of the box he curled an effort over the bar. A minute later a Jim Lister shot was comfortably saved by Colin McCabe but the striker was given too much room for his effort. As the game progressed the Warriors played some nice football but failed to make their superior play tell as they over-elaborated or when they had shots they usually missed the target. However the play was more positive than of late with Jason Scotland doing well to bring others into play in his first start for a while.

In the 38^th minute Airdrie were reduced to ten men after David Cox was sent off for an off the ball incident involving Jamie McCormack spotted by the assistant referee and although it was not clear at the time it was apparently use of an elbow.

The second half started the same way as the first with Airdrie making light of their reduced numbers and they took the lead immediately after the restart with Lister tucking the ball home after being picked out by Cadden. A minute later a Jon Robertson long range effort was saved by Parry. The keeper was to be beaten though in the 53^rd minute when a Scotland free-kick was drilled through the wall and Parry did well to keep the ball out. A scramble ensued and ended when McCormack tucked the ball home at the back stick.

After that the home side pushed hard for the winner but most chances fell to Stirling who failed to take advantage when on another day he could have had a hat-trick. The Airdrie side were working hard and the central defenders in particular were outstanding with a Creighton block to cut out a Stirling effort with two minutes to go looking as if it would mean a share of the spoils. In stoppage time a brilliant save by Parry who denied Scotland added to that feeling.

However from the resultant corner McCormack rose high to head the ball into the net and give Stenhousemuir a deserved victory though it was hard lines on an Airdrie team who gave their all.