Match Report

MATCH REPORT

Stenhousemuir v Stirling Albion at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 28.12.19

SPFL Ladbrokes League Two                         Att 824

Stenhousemuir 0 Stirling Albion 2 [Mackin 4, Wilson 90]

Stenhousemuir – Smith, Tiffoney, Munro, Armstrong, Cook, Hopkirk, McLaughlin, Blair, McBride [Watters 85], Biabi[Anderson 20] and McLaughlin. Subs not used – Terry, O’Neil and Potter.

Stirlng Albion – Binnie, McLean [b82], Creaney, Docherty[b45] [Jardine 66], McGeachie, McGregor, Wilson, Nicoll [b87], Wright [b78], Duffy [Banner 90]and Mackin [Peters 76]. Subs not used – Trialist, Scott, Heaver and Bikey

Referee – Matthew McDiarmid        Assistants – Frank Connor and Brian Templeton.

The Warriors welcomed back several players to the starting eleven from the previous match but were missing Dylan Dykes through illness and David Marsh through suspension. This of course was the last game of the decade for ourselves and our neighbours Stirling Albion and it was the visitors who would have been the happier going into the new year after picking up all three points.

They took the lead in only four minutes through a Dylan Mackin strike from close range after he was given too much room at the back.

It took a while for Stenhousemuir to get going after this setback and they were to suffer another one in the 20^th minute when Botti Biabi had to leave the pitch with what looked like another hamstring niggle.

It took until the 29^th minute before Cammy Binnie was called into action in the Albion goal when he gathered a Ryan Blair effort at the second attempt despite the shot not being cleanly struck. Graeme Smith hadn’t been overly worked either but he had to show his mettle to save from Darryl Duffy who had eluded his marker.

The second half Blair and Connor McBride had shots saved by Binnie who celebrated his 50^th league start with a shut-out as the Warriors struggled to break down the visitors who defended in numbers as they held on to their lead but looked fairly potent at the other end as Stenhousemuir became stretched at times. Sub Danny Jardine should have ended the game in the 71^st minute but he was denied by a great stop once again from Smith. Despite having the bulk of the possession Stenhousemuir were unable to make clear cut chances with the visitors usually getting a vital touch to clear the danger when it arose.

As frustration grew in the home ranks David Irons was cautioned by Matthew McDiarmid for comments made to the officials and he will have felt worse before the end as the final play of the game in stoppage time saw Stirling extend their lead with a fine strike by David Wilson that was the highlight of the game for the neutral supporter of whom there would be a fair number in an attendance of 824. The whistle blew before the game restarted and thus aptly summed up the year so far for Stenhousemuir.

In fact at the half way stage of the season Stenhousemuir have the worst home record in the division in all departments, lowest wins, most defeats, lowest points, fewest goals scored and most conceded so hopefully the second half sees a major change in fortunes.