Match Report

Stenhousemuir v Craigroyston At Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 29.6.13

Pre-season Friendly

Stenhousemuir 2 [Smith 18, Gemmell 45] Craigroyston 2 [Douglas 14, 76]

For the first time possibly in Stenhousemuir’s history they played their first pre-season friendly in June. East of Scotland First Division Winners Craigroyston were the opponents for what was an entertaining match given the fact that neither team were at match fitness yet.

For the Warriors the squad was a mixture of first team and reserve players with unusually for these occasions no players on trial. Making their first appearance for Stenhousemuir were new signings Eddie Malone and Sean Lynch who were signed from Raith Rovers and Airdrie United respectively.

Craigroyston’s first goal in the 14th minute came from a punt up the park by the keeper that Craig Anderson allowed to drop behind him, he then hooked it back to Chris Smith whose first time clearance hit Ross McMillan. Errol Douglas latched onto the loose ball and although he saw an initial effort blocked he kept his composure to roll the ball into the net.

The Stenhousemuir equaliser came in the 18th minute  through a raking pass by Ross Brash from the centre circle to Nicky Devlin who played the ball into Darren Smith who drove past his marker before hitting a cross come shot that was turned into his own net by Scott Ritchie as he tried to cut it out.

The Warriors then took the lead on the stroke of half time.  A run by Sean Lynch from midfield opened up the Craigroyston defence and he picked out John Gemmell who fired a first time curling effort past Craigie keeper Mark Weir.

Both sides made a number of changes at half time and it took a while for the rhythm of the first period to establish itself again as the teams settled sown.

The East of Scotland side showed their counter attacking capabilities when they scored their second goal of the game in the 76th minute. The attack actually started at a Stenhousemuir corner that was picked off and the ball was played up the park by Lewis Turner on the edge of his own box to James Guy on the halfway line, he then passed the ball out to the right for another great pass behind a stretched home defence and Douglas tucked the ball past Dean Shaw though he picked up an injury in the process as the keeper just caught his foot.

With Craigroyston having just used all their subs they were left to see out the rest of the game with ten men but they actually looked the more threatened despite the numerical disadvantage.

All in all it was a decent exercise after the training session in the morning and there were a few heavy legs on shot. Craigroyston will be happy with their workout as well and although the result does not matter in these games the fact that the game was a draw was a fair reflection on the day.

It is safe to say that Craigroyston surprised some of the Stenhousemuir supporters and on the basis of this performance they should do well on their return to the Premier Division. The only downside from their point of view is that they will have to play without their goalscorer Errol Douglas who caught the eye of several clubs and although he was offered full time status decided to stay part time due to his studies and was promptly signed by Stenhousemuir. 

Stenhousemuir – Smith [Shaw h/t], Devlin, Malone [Pearson h/t], Anderson, McMillan [Nimmo h/t], Hodge [Thomson 70], Smith, Rowson [Docherty h/t], Gemmell [Kouider-Aissa h/t], Brash and Lynch [Lawson h/t]. Sub not used – Ferguson.

Craigroyston – Weir, Jeffrey, Campbell [Hogarth], Patenson [McWilliams], Ritchie [Barbirou], MacIntosh [Guy], Turner, Hendrie, Douglas, Dickson [Shave]and Rendall [McCormack]. 

Referee – Nick Walsh     Assistants – Andy Tait and Tommy Clark