Reminder of safety advice for attending Ochilview

It’s safe to say that anyone who has even the faintest affection for football has been absolutely thrilled that everything more or less feels like normal again Covid wise. Going to the football gives us that release and escape from the everyday that we crave so badly.

Despite this, it’s still important to remember there’s still a pandemic ongoing and we all have a personal responsibility to help to keep our community safe.

Therefore we have been asked by the SFA and SPFL’s Joint Response Group to remind supporters of the safety advice for attending games in Scotland. Warriors supporters have been excellent so far, however please do continue to take the following advice:

  • Not attend a match if they have any symptoms.
  • Take a precautionary Lateral Flow Test before arrival at the stadium.
  • Ensure that mandatory regulations are followed when travelling to and from the stadium (car, train, supporters’ buses etc) with particularly attention to the wearing of face coverings.
  • Keep a safe distance when entering and exiting the stadium.
  • Wear a face covering when entering and exiting the stadium. 6. Ensure that mandatory regulations are followed when using hospitality facilities within the stadium.
  • Where possible, keep a distance between you and other supporters when seated in the stadium.

 Last time out

Warriors 1-4 Kelty Hearts

Last Saturday proved to be a tough game for the Warriors as we welcomed league leaders Kelty Hearts in what was the first ever competitive meeting between the two sides.

There was a very vocal Kelty support at Ochilview and they were given plenty to shout about in the 12th minute as their team took the lead. The goal came from a spell of Warriors pressure in which we had bodies up the park, allowing Kelty to counter and initiate a 3v2 where Cardle was able to slip in Agyeman who was able to finish well past an onrushing Marshall.

The Warriors did respond well and should have been level in the 20th minute. A good passing move saw the ball go wide to Ross Lyons who crossed into the box towards O’Reilly but the ball didn’t fall for him. Wedderburn was able to recycle however and did well to get it back to O’Reilly who’s shot was blocked into the path of Thomson but just as the striker looked set to score, his shot was blocked by a last ditch challenge.

Despite this, the Warriors did equalise on 22 minutes. Thomson did well to beat Hooper and slide it inside to Brown who shimmied one way and went the other, creating the space to have a shot towards goal which went past Jamieson via a deflection.

Kelty were back in front 10 minutes later, once again on the counter attack. The ball came to Cardle on the right hand side edge of the box and he cut inside Wedderburn before reversing a low shot which wrongfooted Marshall and went in at the near post.

The visitors then pushed on before the break and almost grabbed a third on 38 minutes as Cardle was slipped clean through on goal before Marshall saved well with his feet, keeping the score at 1-2 going into half time.

In the 52nd minute the Warriors so nearly drew level as O’Reilly turned two players simultaneously on the right before whipping in a dangerous ball across the 6 yard box which agonisingly only just evaded both Orr and the far post.

The boys came close again on 65 minutes. This time a Forbes freekick from far out was struck expertly towards the top corner and seemed goal bound until Jamieson pulled off a save of the season contender to preserve the visitors lead.

Painfully for the Warriors, Kelty countered and grabbed a third goal. Barjonas was slipped through after a 2v1 and although Marshall was able to get a clean foot on the ball, his attempted clearance ricocheted off of Barjonas and into the net.

Kelty then applied the icing to the cake in the 71st minute after a good passing move saw the ball go wide to Philip who’s first time low cross found Agyeman who finished well from close range.

The home fans were on their feet in the 78th minute as Forbes ball into the box was volleyed home emphatically by Thomson who was only denied a goal of the season nomination by the lineman’s flag.

The Warriors came close yet again on 85 minutes as Forbes showed again what he’s capable of from distance, cracking a shot off the bar with Jamieson nowhere near it.

The scoreline finished 1-4 in a match where although the Warriors had chances, they were well beaten by a superior attacking performance from Kelty Hearts.

 

Stenhousemuir: Marshall, Lyon, Coll, Jamieson, Corbett, Forbes, O’Reilly, Wedderburn, Christie, Thomson, Brown

Substitutes: Graham, Orr, Hughes, Anderson, Wilson, Tierney, Reid

 

Kelty Hearts: Jamieson, Hooper, McNab, O’Ware, Philip, Tidser, Black, Barjonas, Agyeman, Cardle, Higginbotham

Substitutes: Hill, Donaldson, Finnan, Peggie

 

Match highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsX0aJWrpN4

Stephen Swift interview:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-b8-OY3Vffo

 Onto the next

Saturday 3pm – Cove Rangers (A)

This Saturday sees the Warriors take a break from league action as we travel to the Balmoral Stadium to face Cove Rangers in the latest round of the SPFL Trust Trophy.

Our hosts currently sit in 4th place in League 1 after climbing the table off the back of wins against East Fife and Dumbarton, however they will be keen to regain their from after defeat to Clyde at the weekend.

As for the Warriors, the boys will be looking to increase confidence levels by progressing in the cup after remaining winless wince our victory in the previous round against Dundee United B.

Ticket prices for this fixture are £10 for adults, £5 for over 65’s and under 18’s, whereas under 12’s can access the match for just £1. Our hosts advise that Warriors supporters purchase tickets online in advance by following the link below:

https://coverangersfc.ticketco.events/uk/en/e/cove_rangers_fc_v_stenhousemuir_fc__spfl_trust_trophy

If you are unable to make it up to the game but still want to catch all of the action, Cove are streaming the match live for £12 which can be purchased by clicking on the following link:

https://coverangersfc.univtec.com/outside/login

Community update

We’re hiring!

We are pleased to confirm that we are hiring a kick start community coach! If you are 16-24 and are currently unemployed whilst receiving universal credit, then this might be the ideal opportunity for you.

The role requires 25 hours per week on a 6 month fixed contract. If your keen to learn more then please do speak to your work coach at the local job centre. The reference code is KSJ 0840.

 Under 7’s trials fully booked

Earlier this week, Warriors in the Community publicised an opportunity for kids to sign up to trial for their under 7’s squad. We are over the moon with the amount of sign-ups we have received however unfortunately we are now fully booked for trials and cannot allow anyone else to sign up.

 Squad update

Yesterday the club announced the departure of defender Craig Reid. Craig joined this summer from Kelty Hearts, however his short time at the club has come to an end after a mutual agreement to terminate his contact was reached.

We would like to place on record our thanks to Craig for his efforts whilst at the club and wish him the very best for the future.

Just in case you’re interested…

Some Scottish matches to require vaccine passports

Yesterday, the First Minister confirmed that from late September onwards a vaccine passport will be required to attend events with over 10,000 people, including football matches. Please follow the link below to read more:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-58412832

 Kim Little retires from international duty

After 14 years and 140 caps, possibly one of Scotland’s best ever players Kim Little has announced her retirement from international football aged 31. Please follow the link below to read more:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58410154

YouGov survey suggests most fans are worried about racial abuse

According to a recent YouGov survey 62% of match-attending fans fear a player will be racially abused; 60% feel racism sanctions aren’t harsh enough; 73% of ethnically diverse fans planning to visit a stadium are concerned about racist abuse. Please follow the link below to read more:

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/12383739/racism-in-football-most-fans-worried-about-witnessing-players-receive-abuse-according-to-yougov-survey-for-sky-sports-news