Match Report

MATCH REPORT

Stenhousemuir v Cove Rangers at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 5.10.19

SPFL Ladbrokes League Two             Att 552

Stenhousemuir 3 [Marsh 9, Hopkirk 22, McGuigan 45] Cove Rangers 2 [Masson 3, Scott 88]

Stenhousemuir – Smith, O’Neil, Marsh, Halleran, McGuigan [Anderson 83], Hopkirk, Cook, McLaughlin, M.Munro [b23][Scullion 75], A.Munro [b31] and Gibson.  Subs not used – Marley, Watters, Dykes, McBride and Armstrong [t]

Cove Rangers – McKenzie, Milne, Scully [Smith 75], Ross [b71], Yule [Scott 75]. Megginson, Masson, Higgins, Glass, Antoniazzi [Aird 62] and Fyfie [b43]. Subs not used – Brown, Robertson, Demus and Redman.

Referee – Duncan Williams               Assistants – Andrew McWilliams and Jim Burns

The Warriors welcomed Cove to Ochilview for the first ever league meeting between the teams and their hospitality in the early stages was too generous as Cove, the unbeaten league leaders, took the lead after only three minutes play. Christian Antoniazzi was the creator with a probing run down the right flank before picking out his ex-Montrose team-mate who tapped home from close range.

Already after that setback the prophets of doom and gloom were present amongst the Stenhousemuir faithful but they were to be pleasantly surprised when the Warriors equalised in the ninth minute. A Mark McGuigan cross was met by David Hopkirk at the back stick and he played it to David Marsh to score from close range.

Although the Aberdeen side always looked capable of making the next breakthrough it was actually Stenhousemuir who scored the next goal and it was a simple effort. A long ball by Andy Munro was fluffed by a Cove defender and David Hopkirk pounced to put the ball past Stuart McKenzie.

Mitch Megginson came close for the visitors just after this setback after Declan Glass had linked up well with the striker who shot just past the post. Scott Ross also came close with a diving header just over the bar with five minutes of the first half left. Ross was almost a hero for the large travelling contingent with this effort but with the half drawing to a close he gave away a penalty at the other end when he pulled Andy Munro to the ground. Referee Duncan Williams had no hesitation pointing to the spot and Mark McGuigan converted the penalty.

There looked to be more goals in the game so it was definitely not a case of Stenhousemuir sitting on their laurels in the second half. Graeme Smith was in action early on to punch a Cove effort away. Alan Cook hit a Thomas Halleran cross just wide and Marky Munro saw an effort gathered by McKenzie at the second attempt.

Megginson came close again with a clever flick that went just wide but it was not to be his day. Harry Milne then shot just over after a swift counter move as Cove threatened to breach a resolute Warrior’s defence.  They should have reduced the losing margin in the 80^th minute when ex-Warrior Jimmy Scott picked up a ball behind the home defence but Graeme Smith was quick to react and save his attempt on goal.

In the 88^th minute though he did get a goal back when he was on the end of a dinked pass by Fraser Aird and headed past the advancing Smith. This did lead to a nervous few minutes before the referee blew his whistle to bring proceedings to an end with the Warriors victorious.

Cove are a good side and played good football that showed why they are top of the table but Stenhousemuir in this performance at least matched them. It was actually the first league game in a year that the Warriors had scored three goals with the last time being on the 6^th of October 2018 when they beat Montrose 3-2 at Ochilview and on that occasion there were also three different goalscorers.