Match Report

Stirling Albion v Stenhousemuir at Forthbank, Stirling on 30.03.21

SPFL League Two

Stirling Albion  1 [Leitch 49] Stenhousemuir 0

Stirling Albion – Binnie, Meggatt, Allan, Banner, McGregor [Eadie 62], Roberts, Ryan [b36][Heaver 89], Wilson, Byrne [Mackin 72], Leitch and Moore

Subs not used – Hamilton, Docherty, Currie, S.Roberts, Kirkpatrick, Heaver and Thomson

Stenhousemuir – Martin, Tiffoney, Kane, Corbett [b25][Muir 60][so 82], Yeats, Brydon, Biabi, Blair [Spence 78], Tapping, Collins [Hopkirk 74]and McGuigan

Subs not used – Erskine, Hodge, Docherty. Halleran, Fairley, Brown

Referee – Graham Grainger    Assistants – Kylie McMullan and Simon MacLean

At long last this match drew to a conclusion. It had originally been scheduled to be played back in January at Forthbank but was called off due to the weather and was moved to Stenhousemuir for the same date. That game was abandoned which was probably just as well for the SPFL as it would have counted as a second home game for the Warriors under the agreement made between the clubs and would have been an issue when the subsequent lockdown meant a reduction in the fixture card.

There were four changes to the Warriors starting eleven from the Edinburgh City game. Jack Brydon made his debut whilst Thomas Collins made his first start. Callum Yeats returned after long term injury and Adam Corbett replaced the suspended Creag Little who was sent off on Saturday by the referee of tonight’s game as well Graham Grainger.

Paddy Martin made the first save of the game after 7 minutes to deny Andy Ryan after a swift counter attack by the home side. This was the second time that they had threatened with a quick attack from deep.

Stenhousemuir’s first shot came from Chris Kane in the 25^th minute but was blocked and the danger fizzled out.

Kurtis Roberts forced Martin into a save in the 32^nd minute but despite the efforts from both teams neither keeper was kept busy in the first period.

After a goal less first half Stirling were quick to get into their stride in the second half taking the lead in the 49^th minute through Jack Leitch after being picked out by Kurtis Roberts. Stirling were the busier team after that and they almost scored their second when a low Jordan Allan corner was met by Andy Ryan at the near post and Martin did well to keep the effort out. Ryan came close again with a shot just wide from a Declan Byrne reverse pass.

The Warriors almost got the equaliser in the 63^rd minute when a Botti Biabi effort was just missed by McGuigan at the back post.  The Warriors task of getting back into the game was made even harder when Tommy Muir caught Cammy Binnie when going for the ball and the referee was quick to show a red card to the Stenhousemuir substitute in the 82^nd minute. There was another scare for the Warriors shortly after this when Martin made a rare mistake when he was beaten to the ball by Dylan Mackin but the ball was cleared off the line. Ryan was injured in pursuit of the ball but it would have been in vain as the flag went up. Ryan’s replacement Sean Heaver almost made an instant impression with a shot that Martin did well to stop before the rebound was hit over the bar by David Wilson.  Although Stenhousemuir tried to get back into the game they were unable to do so and Stirling secured all three points.