Match Report

Stenhousemuir v Queens Park at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 13.8.16

SPFL Ladbrokes League One               Att 354

Stenhousemuir 1 [Stirling 33] Queens Park 2[Miller73 pen Watt 90]

Although this was the first home league game of the season for Stenhousemuir their opponents had already beaten the Warriors in an earlier encounter in the Betfred Cup. The home side didn’t cover themselves in glory in that game and they were hoping to at least give a better performance in this game.

There were two new names on the team sheet with 18 year old Oliver Shaw having signed on loan from Hibs starting up front whilst 26 year old midfielder David Sinclair whose last club was Bo’ness United on the bench.

The home side started promisingly taking the game to the visitors in the early stages but despite this lively start they failed to make the breakthrough with the closest being an Alan Cook shot that was deflected wide. Gradually Queens were testing the home defence with probing passes behind the defensive line but they didn’t really make any clear cut chances either. Colin McMenamin headed a Cook cross wide and Vinnie Berry saw a dipping half volley go just wide but the best chance in the first half hour fell to David Galt but poor control meant that Colin McCabe was able to scoop up the loose ball.

The breakthrough was made though in the 33^rd minute and it was Stenhousemuir who took the lead with Stephen Stirling striking the ball superbly from the edge of the ‘D’ giving Andrew Murphy no chance of saving.

Oliver Shaw then saw an effort go wide minutes later. At half time the Warriors deserved their lead having played some decent passing football although the lack of clear cut chances was worrying.

The second half though was to be a large disappointment for the Stenhousemuir ranks as they failed to match that first half performance. It still took a while for either team to create a real opening with McCabe saving just before the hour mark. The Spiders were unlucky not to equalise though in the 67^th minute when Ryan McGeever crashed a header off the bar from a Darren Miller corner. Panic ensued and although the ball was eventually hooked out of the penalty box it was soon fired back in by Adam Cummins and Scott Gibson shot over from close range.

The visitors were now beginning to pressurise and they struck the bar once again in the 70^th minute when Miller was the unlucky player with a well struck free kick. Ross Meechan did well to react first to clear the danger. Three minutes later though Miller did score the equaliser from the penalty spot after McGeever was adjudged to have been tripped by Berry following scrappy play in the box.

As the game progressed Queens Park became more dominant and the bulk of the play was in the Stenhousemuir half of the field. Ex-Warrior Josh Watt  tested McCabe with a powerful drive that McCabe stopped but he would have been relieved when Miller fired the rebound over the bar.

With the game in stoppage time the visitors eventually took the lead  with Watt being the scorer when he hit a shot into the ground and it ballooned over McCabe and went in at the back post to give Queens Park victory.

Stenhousemuir – McCabe, McCormack [b90], Hamilton [b69], Meechan, Kerr, Berry, Gilhaney, Stirling [Smith 82], McMenamin [McCroary 66], Shaw and Cook. Subs not used – Docherty, Millar, Howarth, Sinclair and Runciman.

Queens Park – Murphy, Millen, Gibson, Brown [McPherson 57], McGeever, Cummins, Woods[Carter 87], Miller, Galt, Brady and Burns [Watt 74]. Subs not used – Fotheringham, McVey, Williams and  Wharton.

Referee – John McKendrick    Assistants – Mark McLean and William Wilson