Match Report

Stenhousemuir v Forfar Athletic  at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 5.1.13

Irn Bru Scottish Second Division                 Att 461

Stenhousemuir 2 [ Dickson 64, Smith 66] Forfar Athletic 0

Stenhousemuir made two changes for this the first home game of 2013. Greg Ross returned after injury and Sean Dickson after a decent second half at Alloa returned to a starting berth. This meant the first start at Ochilview of veteran David Rowson in Stenhousemuir colours following his loan from Partick Thistle. Although only an initial 28 day loan he could yet be a key signing not only in his own right but also the fact that it means that Bryan Hodge can link up with the attack better and can have a greater influence on games than of late. 

The Warriors have recently had plenty of possession but lacked the killer touch and at times seemed to be reluctant to shoot from distance preferring a more measured approach. This however has failed to see goals forthcoming and the tactics looked to be different in this game as they seemed more willing to have shots at goal. This was highlighted in only the third minute when a decent run and shot by Stewart Kean called ex-Warriors youth keeper into action for the first time.

He was tested in the 12th minute following a run into the danger area by Scot Buist who played it out to Darren Smith whose hit a well struck effort but was saved fairly comfortably. This was followed three minutes later by a Dickson effort after he was given time to control the ball before shooting. Once again the keeper saved but Stenhousemuir at this time were controlling the game with Forfar struggling.

It almost counted for nothing though in the 20^th minute when Callum Reidford was slow to come out to gather and Dale Hilson nipped in between him and Scot Buist and with the goal at his mercy managed to only strike the post when a goal looked certain. The Loons got a lift after that but neither side really put the other under enough pressure to create openings in the game.

Forfar came out in a more determined frame of mind in the second having lots of the play but they failed to open up a resolute home defence.The closest that they came was through a Gavin Malin corner that was just cleared by Greg Ross though it seemed to shave the crossbar on the way out for another corner. Stenhousemuir were being pushed back at this stage of the game though the introduction of Craig Anderson seemed to liven up the home side. In the 61^st minute the Warrior’s David Rowson intercepted a pass and he fed Sean Dickson who struck a decent shot that went just over the bar. It was not long though before Dickson got on the score sheet as he directed a header from a Greg Ross cross into the net three minutes later. The lead doubled two minutes later when Darren Smith cut in from the right before firing past Jack Hamilton who was rooted to the spot. Until that goal Smith had struggled throughout the game but he seemed a different player afterwards with the goal injecting a more confident air to his play.

Forfar manager Dick Campbell rung the changes with a triple substitution to try and get back into the game. It has worked for him in the past at Ochilview but on this occasion apart from the odd half chance there was little sign of it working . Forfar’s frustration was highlighted by the fact that the only caution in the game came for Willie Robertson when he kicked the ball into the wall when conceding a free kick at the end at Andy Rodgers tried to slow the game down in the dying minutes. In the end the Warriors were victorious and picked up a vital three points that were well merited on the day. 

It is a worry though that the attendance of 461 was the lowest in the entire Scottish League and highlights the apathy that has came to shroud Ochilview  in recent weeks.

Stenhousemuir -, Reidford, Ross, McKinlay, Buist, McMillan, Hodge, Ferguson [C.Anderson 60], Rowson, Kean,Smith [Rodgers 84] and Dickson [I.Thomson 90],  Subs not used – Shaw andDuncan,

Forfar Athletic -Hamilton, McCulloch, I.Campbell, Robertson [b85], Dunlop, Malin, Hilson, Sellars [King 72], Templeman [Fotheringham 72], Swankie and Denholm [R.Campbell 72].  Subs not used, Bishop and Scott.

Referee – Greg Aitken  Assistants – Willie Conquer and Scott Millar