MATCH REPORT
Stenhousemuir v Cowdenbeath at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 12.7.16
Pre-season friendly  Att 117
Stenhousemuir 1 [Stirling 32 pen] Cowdenbeath

 

Stenhousemuir – Sean Robertson, Trialist [DH][Jamie McCormack 58], Liam McMaster [Calum Runciman h/t], Grant Hamilton, Jim Paterson [Ross Meechan h/t], Vince Berry, Alan Cook, Stephen Stirling [Liam McCroary 58], Trialist [AD][Jack Smith 58], Paul Nash and Trialist [NP][Trialist MH h/t].  Subs not used – Ciaran Summers.

 

Cowdenbeath – Jamie Sneddon, Rory George, Trialist [Trialist 69], Greg Ross, Gerry McLauchlan [Jordan Leslie h/t], Trialist, Trialist [Cameron Muirhead 77], Kyle Miller, Trialist [Craig Johnston 58], David Robertson and Harvey Swann [Trialist 58]. Sub not used – David McGurn

 

Referee – Andrew Dallas Assistants – Graham McNeillie and Paul O’Neil

 

With this being the last pre-season game for both teams before  the start of the Betfred Cup the managers both decided to have the same policy in picking their teams. This meant that the starting eleven consisted of the younger players in their squads, trialists and senior players who were lacking match time.
It was one of the trialists that came closest to opening the scoring in the early stages when the Stenhousemuir trialist [DH] used his pace to create an opening before hitting a decent effort that Jamie Sneddon did well to keep out. Cowdenbeath came close with a ball over the top but Sean Robertson was quick to react to avert the danger. Vinnie Berry then had an effort wide before the home side were given a chance to open the scoring just after the half hour when they were awarded a penalty. Gerry McLauchlan went to ground when making a block and was adjudged to have handled the ball. Stephen Stirling stepped up and converted the spot kick despite the best efforts of Sneddon. The Warriors came close to doubling the lead in the 42nd minute when Jim Paterson rattled the crossbar with a header from a Stirling corner.
As usual the second half saw a number of substitutions that affected the flow of the game. Another trialist [MH] tested Sneddon who tipped an effort over whist the Cowdenbeath No6 did well with a clever turn and shot and he also saw a lob go just over the bar. In the latter stages Alan Cook saw a powerful drive parried round the post and Craig Johnston missed an opportunity to equalise after another ball over the centre of the Stenhousemuir defence caused problems once more. There was no further scoring so the Warriors ran out winners by that solitary Stephen Stirling strike.