Stephen Swift made 1 change from the team that beat Albion Rovers last week. Adam Corbett had been struggling with a hamstring through the week and he was replaced by Adam Brown.
It was Cowdenbeath that had the first shot of the match, a quick turn inside the box by 11 prompted a good save from Marshall with Crighton completing the clearance for a corner kick, which ended up with a header wide.
A break away by Tam Orr and he found Ross Forbes on the edge of the box, but his left footed drive was wide of the Keeper’s post.
Just a minute later, Ross Forbes had another chance. This time with a free kick that was 30 yards out with his shot well over the bar.
It was 12 minutes before The Warriors had their first corner of the match after some fine play by Sean Crighton. Ross Forbes’ in swinging corner was met by Jordan Tapping, with his header going over the bar.
Chances were few and far between in the first 20 minutes. Cowdenbeath were the team most likely to score, forcing a few corners but the home defence was equal to everything that The Blue Brazil produced.
Nicky Jamieson took a nasty knock on 22 minutes, it looked bad for the big defender, but he was able to shake it off and return to the pitch a few moments later, a welcome sight for the home fans.
Into 30 minutes and Cowdenbeath still look most likely to score. The Warriors can’t seem to find any forward momentum with most of the game being played in the home half.
Adam Brown did have a chance on 30 minutes, with his wild shot failing to cause any issues.
Jamie Todd made his second high challenge of the match, this time on Ross Lyon and resulting in a yellow card for the big defender. Ross Forbes’ free kick was cleared, but that seemed to have sparked The Warriors into life with Daz Christie and Ross Forbes both having attempts on goal. A flurry of home corners came next with the closest chance coming from Michael Miller, getting on the end of a deep corner.
Tam Orr had a chance on 37 minutes. A short header back by Thomson was met by Orr, but his chip over the keeper landed agonisingly wide of the post.
Cowdenbeath had the final chance of the half. A corner was swung in deep, with Ryan Marshal producing the save for the corner. The resultant corner was cleared off the line by Ross Forbes.
HALF TIME: STENHOUSEMUIR 0-0 COWDENBEATH
GOAL: It was the away side that started off better in the second half. Ryan Marshall had to deal with a few clearances and indeed, it was the away side that struck first. A throw in was headed through to Robbie Buchanan and the striker was never going to miss from a few years out. STENHOUSEMUIR 0-1 COWDENBEATH [48 minutes]
SUBSTITUTION: The goal sparked immediate response from Stephen Swift as BJ Coll came on for Nicky Jamieson. The change of personnel also saw a change of formation with The Warriors reverting to the familiar 4-5-1
Nat Wedderburn then picked up The Warriors first. yellow card of the afternoon following a high tackle.
Craig Thomson was next to enter the referee’s book. The Right Back kicked the ball away, but somehow tried to plead hi innocence.
GOAL: With Stenhousemuir struggling to clear their lines, the ball broke to Bobby Barr inside the box who finished past Marshall to make it 2-0. STENHOUSEMUIR 0-2 COWDENBEATH [58 minutes]
The Warriors had a shot on target a few minutes later. the ball dropped to Michael Miller on the edge of the box. He wasn’t able to get any power behind the shot which was easily held.
Ross Lyon made his way into the referee’s book next after a pull back.
The Warriors were pushing everyone forward and an Adam Brown shot found its way wide to BJ Coll His cross was blocked for a corner. Another Forbes’ in swinger was met by Michael Miller, but his header was well wide.
Stenhousemuir had the next chance as BJ Coll headed the ball back across to Michel Miller, he made his way to the touchline with the cross being cleared for a corner. Ross Forbes was again on corner duties, but his cross was held by the keeper.
Cowdenbeath went straight u the pitch and their shot was deflected over for a corner which was cleared by Marshall, with Daz Christie and Ross Forbes completing. the clearance.
Jordan Tapping found himself in a spot of bother as he lost the ball. Luckily, the resultant shot was fired wide of Marshall’s post.
SUBSTITUTION: Treble change for The Warriors with Nat, Ross Forbes and Adam Brown going off for Ryan Tierney, James Lyon and debutant Spencer Moreland. [76 minutes] Stephen Swift desperate to make an impact by going with 2 up top.
It was one of the subs that had Stenhousemuir’s first short on target for long Tim as he nipped past a few defenders, cut inside but his shot was easily held by Gill.
SUBSTITUTION: Tam Orr came off for Cammy Graham with the young midfielder only having a few moments to make an impact. [86 minutes]
James Lyon forced his way into the box but took a tumble. The ref judged that as simulation and booked to midfielder.
FULL TIME: STENHOUSEMUIR 0-2 COWDENBEATH