Match Report

MATCH REPORT

Stenhousemuir v Elgin City at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 3.12.19

SPFL Ladbrokes League Two             Att 336

Stenhousemuir 2 [Biabi 33 pen, A.Munro 90] Elgin City 2 [Hester 29, MacEwan 31]

Stenhousemuir – Smith, Armstrong [McGuigan 89], Marsh [McBride 59], Dykes, Hopkirk, Cook, McLaughlin, Blair [b67], A.Munro [b81], Tiffoney and Biabi. Subs not used – Terry [t], O’Neil, Watters, Scullion and Potter.

Elgin City – McHale, Cooper [b70], Spark, McHardy [Omar 53], Bronsky, Dingwall, MacEwan, Cameron, Hester [Sopel 84], Sutherland and Mckay [Aitken 71]. Subs – Hoban, O’Keefe, McDonald and Wilson

Referee – Gavin Ross             Assistants – Gary Hilland and John Stewart

After the win against Brechin on the Saturday it was a quick turnaround for this Tuesday night fixture that had been postponed earlier in the season due to Challenge Cup commitments. The Warriors kept the same starting eleven for this game as they hoped to make it two wins in a row.

The home side had claims for a penalty by handball turned down in the early stages when a header was blocked but it was the visitors who had the first real effort on goal when Daniel McKay’s effort was pushed out for a corner by Graeme Smith.

In the 29^th minute though City pounced through Kane Hester who tucked the ball home from close range after an initial Elgin shot had been blocked. Two minutes later the Elgin supporters, of which there was a healthy number, were celebrating once more after Rory MacEwan rose above Alan Cook to head home.

At that stage things looked ominous but the home side were handed a lifeline two minutes after Elgin scored their second goal when Botti Biabi run behind the Elgin defence to get on to the end of a Ryan Blair pass And was caught by Ewan Spark. There was no malice in the connection but there was a foul and Biabi took full advantage to fire home from the penalty mark despite a strong hand from Tom McHale almost keeping it out.

Both teams came close at the start of the second half though an enforced substitution when David Marsh left with a head injury that required stitches seemed to have a positive effect. Connor McBride entered the fray and several positional changes ensued. McBride was to go on to have his best game for the club to date and within minutes of coming on he had tested McHale and also created an opening for Blair who was unlucky to see a shot come off the post.

Though Stenhousemuir were trying hard to get the equaliser Elgin couldn’t be discounted especially with Shane Sutherland, the league top scorer, causing problems and Smith did well in the 68^th minute to block an effort by the striker. As the game progressed the Warriors became more vulnerable to counter attacks and in the 87^th minute Rabin Omar hit the post and this was followed just afterwards when Sutherland managed to round Smith but from a tight angle hit the side netting.

With time running out it looked as if the home side would miss out when a Biabi cross found no takers but in the fourth minute of stoppage time they drew level when Andy Munro rose above his marker to head home a Dylan Dykes corner to give the Warriors a welcome share of the spoils.