Match Report

Stenhousemuir v Alloa Athletic at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 31.12.16

SPFL Ladbrokes League One                     Att 335

Stenhousemuir 2 [Cook 8, Shaw 90] East Fife 4 [Cawley23, Spence 29, Fitzpatrick 44, 71]

Only 335 brave souls ventured to Ochilview for this 1.00pm kick off on Hogmanay. The weather conditions were atrocious at times with a biting wind and squally showers that certainly had an affect on the player’s ability to play controlled football.

The Warriors made one change from the side that had beat Peterhead with the suspended David Marsh replaced by Ross Meechan who could probably have done with more recuperation time after illness before his comeback.

The game ebbed and flowed in the early stages with Colin McMenamin coming close with a header in  the first minutes of the game. At the other end Scott Taggart had a shot blocked before the ball moved to the other end and Alan Cook shot fizzed just wide. In the ninth minute though he created an opening through quick footwork and steered a right foot shot across goal and into the net. Alloa reacted positively and Greig Spence curled a shot just wide following an Alloa counter attack and he came even closer in the sixteenth minute when Colin McCabe did well to save with his feet before the ball was scrambled clear. In the 23^rd minute a similar situation arose after Spence intercepted a poor pass by Vinnie Berry, once again McCabe brought off a save but this time Kevin Cawley was able to thread the rebound into the net.

Six minutes later the Wasps extended their lead when a cross from the left was met by Spence who crouched low to head home. Alloa were using the wind to good effect and Stenhousemuir struggled to get back into the game. Jordan Kirkpatrick had a shot tipped round the post and then Cawley had another effort saved. At the other end the closest attempt came when Cook whipped in a cross that McMenamin just failed to connect with as he attempted a diving header. If the margin had only been one goal at the interval then the feeling was that Stenhousemuir would still have a chance, however Kirkpatrick scored Alloa’s third goal just before half time after a quick one two with Spence after Hamilton had failed to control the ball.

The second half started better for Stenhousemuir and Vinnie Berry’s shot from just outside the box clipped the crossbar. Cook then came close with an effort that went just wide. Alloa settled though and Andy Graham struck the woodwork from a corner kick. The Stenhousemuir defence were edgy and Alloa were given another chance when Jamie McCormack was short with a header but McCabe once again did well to block. In the 71^st minute Alloa scored their fourth when the home defence was carved open and Kirkpatrick took full advantage to tuck the ball home.

In the 79^th minute there was a collision between Ally Roy and Neil Parry which resulted in both requiring lengthy treatment for head injuries. Both were eventually taken to hospital for observation. When the game restarted it was 10-a-side as both teams had used all their subs. Andy Graham took over the goalkeeping duties for Alloa but he had little to do as Alloa organised well and kept Stenhousemuir away from the danger area as much as possible.

Stenhousemuir did get a goal back eventually in the 95^th minute when an Oliver Shaw effort flew wind assisted into the net. There were few signs though that it was going to be more than a consolation goal and it was a subdued stadium when the final whistle blew after ten minutes added time.

With Stranraer beating Queens Park at Hampden it meant that Stenhousemuir were back to the bottom of the table and must be hoping that 2017 is a better year than 2016.  

Stenhousemuir – McCabe, McCormack. Summers, Meechan, Hamilton, Berry, Furtado [Mnzana 71], Millar [b64],  McMenamin Gilhaney [Shaw 59] and Cook [Roy 71]. Subs not used – McCroary, Crawford and McMaster

Alloa Athletic – Parry, Taggart, Waters, Marr, Graham, Goodwin, Cawley [Holmes 71], Robertson, Spence [Longworth 65], Kirkpatrick and Hetherington [Flannigan 71].

Referee – David Lowe                  Assistants – Jordan Stokoe and Iain Snedden