Match Report

MATCH REPORTS
Stenhousemuir v East Fife at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 27.04.19
SPFL Ladbrokes League One Att 742
Stenhousemuir 1 [Donaldson 35] East Fife 1 [Dunsmore 32]

Stenhousemuir – Smith, Reid [b24], Donaldson, Neill [Gibbons h/t][b90], Marsh [b87]. Ferry, McGuigan, Cook, Dingwall [Duthie 53], McBrearty [b67] and Hurst [Ross 77]. Subs not used – McMinn, Halleran and Breadner and Watters.

East Fife – Long, Dunsmore, Murdoch, Higgins, Dunlop, Docherty [Court 84][so 86], Davidson [b71], Agnew, Watt, Smith [B.Watson 71] and Dowds. Subs not used – Terry, Kane, Slattery and Bell

Referee – John McKendrick Assistants – Graham McNellie and Paul McAvinue.

As this was potentially the last home game of the season the teams were greeted by the now tradional guard of honour from the Young Maroons and community players as they came on to the pitch. There then followed a minutes applause for ex-Warrior Bobby Walkingshaw and ex-Scotland captain and Lisbon Lion Billy McNeill as both had died recently.

East Fife and Stenhousemuir were still battling for the play-offs albeit at different end of the table and this sometimes brought more tension to the game. The Fifers were gifted a goal in the 32nd minute when Morgyn Neill was woefully short with a pass back which Aaron Dunsmore gleefully accepted and placed the ball into the net.

Heads could have went down at that stage but the spirits were lifted by an unexpected source as Ruaridh Donaldson levelled the scores three minutes later with a wonder strike that would have graced any game and was actually his first goal of the season.

Just after the restart Graeme Smith thwarted Dunsmore once again after the defence had been split open as it possibly was still settling down after Neill had been subbed at half time due to a foot injury which may have contributed to the East Fife goal.

Mark McGuigan who had struck the post in the first half showed his defensive qualities at set plays by clearing a Stewart Murdoch effort off the line and this was followed shortly afterwards by another top class save from Smith to deny Liam Watt. The Warriors were creating chances at the other end but were just missing the target though Mark Ferry brought Brett Long into action in the 75th minute.

East Fife had a golden opportunity to go ahead in the 81st minute when Kieran Gibbons was adjudged to have fouled Scott Agnew in the box. Agnew took the subsequent penalty and hit it well but Smith somehow managed to save at the post to keep the scores level.

Mark McGuigan then struck the woodwork once again before the Fifers were reduced in numbers at the other end of the pitch when Jonny Court who had only joined the action two minutes earlier became frustrated with David Marsh guiding the ball out and knocked him into the advertising boards and was instantly shown the red card.

There was a glorious chance for Stenhousemuir to win the game a minute later but a glancing header from Seb Ross went wide. Nevertheless the point secured meant that Stenhousemuir climbed into the play-off spot whilst East Fife were destined to be a League One club once again next season,