Match Report

MATCH REPORT
Stenhousemuir v Albion Rovers at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 17.07.18
Betfred Cup Sectional Match Att 230
Stenhousemuir 4 [Neill 54, Duthie 56, Ross 85, Dickson 90] Albion Rovers 0

Stenhousemuir – Smith, Reid, Donaldson, Neill, Tena [Johnson 70], Gibbons, McGuigan, Duthie [b17][Dickson 72], Cook and Halleran [Sinclair 86]. Subs not used – McMinn, McMenamin and Paterson.

Albion Rovers – Hallford, Smith. Wilson [Watson h/t], Eley. Murdoch, McGeough, McLear [Greene 60], Fisher, Watters [Cunningham 62], Forrester and Kearney. Subs – Potts, Gallagher and McCann.

Referee – Lloyd Wilson Assistants – Jordan Stokoe and Paul Timmons

This was the second Betfred Cup tie at Ochilview in the space of a few days and for the Warriors there was definitely contrasting fortunes as this tie against Albion Rovers was ultimately a convincing victory for the home side.

The Warriors named the same starting eleven from the Partick game whilst for their opponents Albion Rovers it was their first outing in the competition this season. The Rovers have been a thorn in the side of Stenhousemuir in recent years but this realistically was the best time to play them as only Gary Fisher of the senior players at the club was there last season as the team rebuilds in League Two and there was further lack of continuity with changes in management as well.

Stenhousemuir had started their last game slowly but they were on the front foot early on in this match and could and probably should have taken the lead in the 5th minute when Mark McGuigan ‘s effort was saved by keeper Gareth Hallford’s legs. This was followed two minutes later by a McGuigan header that flashed just wide of the target. Lewis McLear had a tame effort saved by Graeme Smith in the 10th minute and they had another chance a minute later when a Paul McGeough header went wide.

McGuigan had another attempted blocked by Hallford in the 15th minute and shortly after this a Conner Duthie corner caused a scrame that ended with McGeough clearing off the line. The best chance in the latter stages of the half came with virtually the last kick when Duthie ghosted past his marker and met a cross first time but the strike went just the wrong side of the post.

Albion Rovers were forced into a substitution at half time as Lewis Wilson who had received a head knock was deemed unfit to continue and eventually had an over night stay in hospital as a precaution.
There were loud appeals for a penalty by the Rovers support just after the resumption for a handball but no award was forthcoming. Kieran Gibbons struck the post in the 51st minute and eventually the pressure told in the 54th minute when Morgyn Neill headed home from a free-kick. Two minutes later the led was doubled. Seb Ross crossed for McGuigan but his touch was poor but the ball fell to Duthie who dispatched the ball into the net.

The second goal took any pressure off the home side and Rovers in the main looked deflated. The best chances for Stenhousemuir came in the last ten minutes of the game and McGuigan should have at last been on the score-sheet but was denied by excellent tracking work by Scott Forrester. The third goal was just delayed though and was the pick of the goals as Seb Ross volleyed home a pinpoint cross by Alan Cook in the 85th minute.

Robbie Sinclair squeezed a shot just wide in the 90th minute from the edge of the box but there was still time for a fourth goal in stoppage time when Cook cut back for Sean Dickson who hit a first time effort home to complete a good night for the Warriors.