4Match Report
Match Report by Scott Gallacher, Communications Officer & Reporter
Stenhousemuir maintained their flawless record in the KDM Evolution Trophy with a fifth win in the competition.
Captain Gregor Buchanan opened the scoring on his 100th appearance for the club, before Dale Carrick put the Warriors two in front before the break.
The Warriors continued their relentless attacking theme as four minutes after the restart, Matty Aitken made it three, with Finlay Gray finishing the game off with a fourth of the afternoon.
Gary Naysmith made several changes to the starting XI from last week’s victory over Montrose at Ochilview.
It took only five minutes for Stenny to create their first chance as a long ball forward was collected by Ross Taylor, who tried to square it into the box for the opening goal, but it was cleared well by the Motherwell defence.
Taylor popped up again only a few minutes later as his touch allowed him to cut inside and send a looping effort goalward, but it was collected comfortably by Colbi McQuarrie.
The winger kept the Well defence busy as he fed the ball through to Dale Carrick, who shot from a tight angle, forcing Cobi McQuarrie into another save.
The first fifteen minutes saw total domination by Stenny. Oliver Simpson dashed up the left wing and swung a ball in to Finlay Gray, but there was just too much speed on the delivery, and his header went over the target.
Two penalty claims came in as many minutes for Stenny as both Dale Carrick and Zeke Cameron were taken down inside the Motherwell box, but these appeals were waved away.
Ross Taylor released a piercing pass to Finlay Gray, who shot from just outside the box, but McQuarrie blocked the effort and gathered at the second attempt after initially parrying the shot.
It was meant to be as skipper Gregor Buchanan opened the scoring on his 100th appearance for the club in the 30th minute from a corner. The in-swinging delivery found him in the centre of the box, and his thumping header flew into the net.
Motherwell almost got a goal back with their first real chance of the game. Blane Watson took a shot from close range which Yan Gromov dealt with well, getting down low to block. The rebound fell to Zander McAllister, but his shot was blocked by the Warriors defence.
The Warriors went two goals to the good in the 37th minute as Ross Taylor’s free-kick swung into the visitors’ box and landed nicely for Dale Carrick, who nodded home to give Stenhousemuir a two-goal cushion going into the break.
Half-Time: Stenhousemuir 2-0 Motherwell B
The Warriors continued their relentless momentum into the second half as Matty Aitken got the third of the afternoon just three minutes after play resumed, striking from close range.
In the 56th minute, Finlay Gray got his well-deserved goal as he took the ball under control and thumped it past McQuarrie sweetly into the Motherwell net.
Euan O’Reilly rolled a short free-kick to Scott McGill, who tried to recreate his 25-yard screamer from last week, but this time it flew just over the bar.
The Warriors kept finding success from high balls into the Motherwell box, as another free-kick was sent in and ricocheted off two players before Matty Aitken almost made it five.
Scott McGill took a shot from the corner of the visitors’ box and it looked destined for the top-right corner, but Cobi McQuarrie did well to make a diving save and prevent the goal.
Late on, Matty Aitken lifted the ball over a charging Cobi McQuarrie outside the area and was about to roll it into an empty net for Stenny’s fifth, but a strong recovery challenge denied him in the final attack of the match.
Full-Time: Stenhousemuir 4-0 Motherwell B
Stenhousemuir: Gromov, Simpson, Buchanan (Meechan 46’), Robson (McGill 46’), Gray, Taylor (O’Reilly 46′), Cameron (Graham 65’), Bilham, Carrick (Aitken 46’), Ewen, Grant
Unused Subs: Jamieson
Motherwell B: McQuarrie, Tearney (Hunter 46’), Ross, Gillies, Thomson (Samuel 65’ > Wiekzorek 86’), Forrest, Clark (Buchanan 66’), McColm, McLean (Arnott 66’), Watson, McAllister
Unused Subs: Henry, Samuel,
Bookings: Robson 26’, Thomson 35’, Tearney 36’, Bilham 73’, Arnott 74’,
MATCH PREVIEW
Match Preview by Scott Gallacher, Communications Officer & Reporter
Stenhousemuir return to KDM Evolution Trophy duty this Saturday as they take on Motherwell B at Ochilview Park, with kick-off at 3pm.
The Warriors head into the tie on the back of a 3-1 victory over Montrose in the William Hill League One, a result which saw them get back to winning ways.
Scott McGill opened the scoring in spectacular fashion, his 25-yard strike flying into the top-right corner, before Matty Aitken doubled the lead with a well-placed header just before the break.
Montrose reduced the deficit through a Graham Webster penalty, but Euan O’Reilly continued his fine run of form by slotting home to secure a well-deserved three points for Stenhousemuir.
Gary Naysmith’s side will look to maintain their perfect record in the competition, having recorded four consecutive wins and sitting second in the group stage, only behind Inverness Caledonian Thistle on goal difference.
Motherwell B, meanwhile, are still searching for their first win of the campaign. Their most recent outing ending in a 3-0 defeat to Stranraer at Stair Park, with goals from Deryn Lang, Daniel McManus and Sallu Turay sealing the points for the Blues.
Looking ahead to the match, assistant manager Brown Ferguson said: “I think it’s a chance, I’ve not looked at the table, but if we were to win that game, I think we would almost guarantee a top-six spot. I’m not saying that for definite, I need to check the table. But obviously, that’s what we’re now aiming for: can we get into that top six so that we’re then seeded going into the next round?
“It’s another opportunity to build on today, for players to get minutes in the game. We’ll look forward to training on Thursday ahead of the match on Saturday and, hopefully, come away with another three points.”