Match Report

MATCH REPORT
Stenhousemuir v Montrose at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 9.2.19
SPFL Ladbrokes League One Att 409
Stenhousemuir 1 [Hurst 68] Montrose 0

Stenhousemuir – Smith, Reid [b72], Donaldson [b84], Marsh, Ferry, McGuigan [Gibbons 90], Cook [b71], Halleran [Hurst 61], Dickson [Breadner 61] , Munro [b15] and McBrearty. Subs not used – McMinn, Duthie and Watters.

Montrose – Fleming, Webster [Masson 74],Harrington, I.Campbell, Dillon, Bolochoweckyj, Antoniazzi [Henderson 64], Watson [Rennie 74], McLean [b45], Cregg[b90] and Milne. Subs not used – Johnston, Callaghan, Redma and R.Campbell

Referee – Colin Steven Assistants – Andy Milne and Colin Drummond.

This was the Warriors first game after the transfer window had closed and their well several additions to the squad for the match. Starting the game for the injured Morgyn Neill was David Marsh who had left Ochilview in the summer for Cowdenbeath but had left the Central Park club just before the transfer deadline. On the bench was Greg Hurst who had left St.Johnstone and Cameron Breadner who had joined on loan from St.Mirren. Also listed for the first time was Ryan Watters after his amateur status had been cleared. For Montrose Russell McLean was making his first start for the Gable Endies who the previous week had scored five goals against Brechin City.

This was a much more measured game though in windswept conditions that hindered flowing football. Indeed there was little to write about in the first half in a cagey affair. The main talking points were the booking of Andy Munro for a foul on McLean and the Montrose striker’s caution in the 45th minute after he tried to punch a cross into the net. Alan Cook had came closest for Stenhousemuir with a long range effort after noticing Allan Fleming was out of position and the keeper was grateful to see the ball go just wide as he scrambled to get back. At the other end a Ryan Harrington cross picked out Graham Webster at the back post but he missed after pressure from Ruaridh Donaldson.

The second half started with more goalmouth action and Fleming was forced into a one handed save from Cook after Thomas Halleran and Mark McGuigan combined to create the opportunity. The nearest to a goal came in the 52nd minute when An Iain Campbell through ball was met by McLean and Graeme Smith did well to save with his legs. McLean was denied once again a couple of minutes later and this was followed by a Michael Bolochoweckyj effort just wide.

Colin McMenamin made a double substitution on the hour with Hurst and Breadner making their debuts and both went on to make an impact on the game. Breadner showed his intent with a shot just over the bar within a couple of minutes of coming on. There was another scare when Bolochoweckyj met a Campbell free kick but it was eventually cleared.

It looked as if one goal might be the difference between the teams and it was Stenhousemuir who went ahead in the 68th minute when a layoff by McGuigan was chested down by Hurst who then drilled the ball home from a tight angle. Two minutes later it could have been two when McGuigan hit the crossbar with a header from a Cook cross and the rebound fell just the wrong side of Connor McBrearty. Cook was cautioned a minute later for a tackle that could have brought about a red card and then Donaldson was booked for supposed time wasting as he pulled up his sock before a throw in. Although Montrose were now applying pressure it was not one sided and Breadner came close with another run and shot just wide.

In stoppage time Patrick Cregg was booked for a bad foul and like Cook was possibly lucky to stay on the pitch. The last play of the game saw Fleming come up for a corner and although he got his head to the ball it went wide and the final whistle blew with Stenhousemuir picking up a vital three points.