Warriors Weekly: 10 November 2022

Hello and welcome back to another edition of Warriors Weekly. It was an action packed weekend at Ochilview with both our men’s and women’s sides in action. Additionally, our women’s side found out who they will face in the Third Round of the Scottish Cup. Read on to find out more!

We would like to keep you updated with regards to some changes within the club staff structure.

As our newly formed club charity continues to establish and build, we are pleased to announce that Blair Cremin will move over from his role as CEO of the football club to head up the new charity. Blair has already been spending a significant portion of his time assisting the charity board of trustees to develop, so his move over into a fulltime role there will provide much needed continuity and support as the charity will be an essential part of both club and community.

We would like to welcome on board David Alexander who replaces Blair as the new club CEO. David has been a part of the setup at Clyde FC and joins us with a wealth of experience in football operations and commercial understanding. David has already taken up his post and many of you will already have met him in and around Ochilview.

We are also looking to recruit some further administrative support as we have of course lost the services of Margaret Kilpatrick who has retired from her fulltime role after 22 years.

We would also like to welcome on board Reece Robertson as the new kitman. Reece has some big shoes to fill after Oscar retired from this post last week. However, Reece has been a part of the club for many years in a number of different roles and he has been shadowing Oscar for a while to gain valuable experience.

We would like to wish everyone all the best in their respective roles, and they are all ready and available to help you with any issues or enquiries going forward.

As a football club, we continue to grow and evolve as we continue to aspire to be the best part-time football club possible, whilst keeping the community at our heart.

Keep tuned to our social media channels over the next few weeks as we catch up with Blair, David and Reece as they settle into their new roles.

Stenhousemuir vs Airdrie

After an important win against St Mirren last time out, the Warriors head into this game with the aim of maintaining the momentum. Airdrie are a tough side to beat who managed to hold Falkirk to a draw last time out.

Jack Cameron had 14 players available for selection and made one change from the side that beat St Mirren. Harkness started in goals with a back three of Paterson, Vickerman and Jones. Connolly, Clare and Erin Wilson, Sullivan and Templeton made up the midfield whilst Montgomery and Maguire lead the line. Richard-Campbell and Pearson started on the bench alongside the Trialist.

Airdrie also had 14 players available for selection as Megan Murray started in goals with an outfield of Fraser, Miles, Whitters, Magill, Wright, Harrison, Booth, Deyoung, Nicholson and Kerrie Graham. Daniella Boyd, Jasmin Ewing-Asname and Taylor Corrigan started on the bench.

The first chance of the afternoon came to Samantha Montgomery who found herself through on goal after a beautiful lobbed through ball from Clare Wilson. The Airdrie centre back makes a good tackle though.

Erin Wilson chips in the corner and Jude Connolly picks up the second ball outside the box and tries a shot but it bounces wide of the target.

GOAL STENHOUSEMUIR: Erin Wilson whips in a great ball from the middle of the park and sets Montgomery free again. She runs 1-on-1 with the keeper and slots it into the bottom left corner! STENHOUSEMUIR 1-0 AIRDRIE LADIES [Montgomery 10?]

Jude Connolly plays the ball into Templeton inside the box. She lashes it across the face of goal but the keeper manages to get her leg on the ball and knock it back out for her defense to clear. Ewing-Asname gives it stright back to Clare Wilson though who tries a first time shot from about 30 yards out, but the keeper is able to catch it.

Good pressing from the Warriors allows them to pick up a loose goal kick. The ball is then rolled into Templeton who tries to chip it into Maguire. Its blocked but it bounces back into her path as she snaps at it on the volley but it ends up being a comfortable save for Murray. She kicks it back into play and repeats the exact same feat as Paterson wins the header, lays it into Templeton who this time chips it into Montgomery. She’s through 1-on-1 with Murray but hits her shot directly at her. A real close one.

Montgomery has been causing the Airdrie back line problems for the first half an hour. She breaks through again after another great through ball but this time the Airdrie centre back turns on the afterburners and gets back really well to make a great tackle.

GOAL STENHOUSEMUIR: A combination of Erin Wilson, Templeton and Jude Connolly manage to pin Airdrie back in their box, Murray tries to clear it but Connolly heads it straight back into Templeton who turns at the edge of the box and dips it into the top left corner of the net. A fantastic goal. STENHOUSEMUIR 2-0 AIRDRIE LADIES [Templeton 36?]

GOAL STENHOUSEMUIR: An incredible team goal as Connolly lays it into Erin Wilson, who chops it up to Montgomery, Montgomery gives it to Templeton who lobs it out to Erin Wilson again on the wing. She takes it around Ewing-Asname and cross it into Montgomery who touches it onto Sullivan who smashes it into the roof of the net! What a goal! STENHOUSEMUIR 3-0 AIRDRIE LADIES [Sullivan 41?]

HALFTIME: STENHOUSEMUIR 3-0 AIRDRIE LADIES

YELLOW CARD: The first action of the half is Clare Wilson picking up a yellow card for a heavy tackle in the middle of the park.

RED CARD: The next is a red card for Airdrie’s Rachel Deyoung. She gets involved in a pushing match with Jude Connolly and picks up a second yellow. Connolly is also shown a yellow card for her involvement.

SUBSTITUTION: A triple change for the Warriors as Templeton, Clare Wilson and Connolly make way for Chloe Pearson, Richard-Campbell and the Trialist.

Another chance for the Warriors as Leah Jones wins the Airdrie goal kick, passes it to Richard-Campbell who slots in Lucy Sullivan down the left hand side. She gets 1-on-1 with Murray and gets her shot away but the keeper manages to knock it out of play.

GOAL STENHOUSEMUIR: The Trialist scores a fantastic freekick from about 30 yards out! She drops her shot above the keeper and in! STENHOUSEMUIR 4-0 AIRDRIE LADIES [Trialist 80?]

GOAL STENHOUSEMUIR: Leah Jones has scored from 50 yards out! A deflection lands at her feet from around the halfway line. She only has eyes for the shot and smashes it. The ball loops and drops into the net behind the keeper. She had no chance. The placement of that shot was just perfect. Goal of the season? STENHOUSEMUIR 5-0 AIRDRIE LADIES [Jones 84?]

FULL TIME: STENHOUSEMUIR 5-0 AIRDRIE LADIES

A great performance from the Warriors to take all 3 points.

POST MATCH REACTION

We spoke to Head Coach Jack Cameron after the game.

5 goals, 3 points and a clean sheet. How are you feeling after that game?

“Probably the happiest I have been this season. In the first half we set out to be very aggressive and try to kill the game early and we did that with 3-0 at half time. I thought physically we were outstanding. In possession that was probably our best display in terms of getting the ball down and playing how we want to play. The second half was more about trying to manage the game properly. We still wanted to keep our foot on the gas but we wanted to keep the clean sheet and try and stay more in control of our possession and I think we done that. It was a really good performance from everyone involved.”

5 goals from 5 different players. How good is it to see that variety and knowing that you have various players who are able to contribute?

“It was good. We spoke to the players about it at the start of the year. We didn’t want to be a team where only 1 or 2 players would contribute because we have a lot of talented players all over the pitch, including defensive players that can get forward. I think the shape we played today really helped us and it’s probably what we have been working towards. It’s exactly what you are looking for. Goals and good performances from all over the pitch.”

Two wins in the last two games. How does that affect your momentum and mentality heading into next week against Giffnock?

“We feel that on our day, with all our players here we can beat anyone in the league. It’s always going to be difficult though and every game is a challenge. The game today was a tough one. I know the scoreline doesn’t make it look that way but they still caused us problems throughout the game and we had to manage that and adapt. Going into Giffnock we can take some confidence from our performance and hope we can get the win.”

We also spoke to Warriors TV POTM, Rachel Ann Vickerman.

Congratulations on being our player of the match. How do you feel the game went?

“I think the team showed good composure and this is probably our best performance of the season. In terms of goal scoring but also in keeping the clean sheet which can sometimes be tough. So it’s good to get over that hurdle and hopefully it’s onwards and upwards from here.”

Defensively you maybe have conceded quite a few goals this season. Have you been working to improve that?

“We were stuck in a back 5 but have recently moved to a back 3 to try and push forward and give us more options going forward which has really helped. Obviously today that has showed. We were still adjusting to the change against St Mirren. Even though we got the win I think the early goal we conceded came as a result of us still adjusting to the new shape. But now we are used to it I think it shows that it’s working for us.”

How are your confidence levels after the last two wins?

“It gives us so much confidence. I think we needed a good win under our belts to get us going. Hopefully we can take that into the next few games and not let our performance drop.”

Highlights from the 5-0 win can be found HERE!

We have been drawn at home to Central Girls in the 3rd round of the 2022-23 Women’s Scottish Cup.

Tie to be played on Sunday 4th December. Full info details will be provided nearer the time.

It’s another game at Ochilview this weekend as we take on Giffnock. The two sides met in Glasgow on the opening day of the season, with the Warriors running out 3-2 victors.

Giffnock currently sit 10th in the league and lost 4-0 last time out away to Falkirk.

The match will be streamed for free on WarriorsTV and will be a small donation if you are looking to attend on Sunday!

Stenhousemuir vs East Fife

The Warriors welcomed The Fifers to Ochilview for the second time in 3 weeks.

Sean Crighton and Nicky Jamieson continue to miss out this week. However, Callum Yeats returns to the starting XI though as Swifty reverted to a back 3. Adam Corbett, Dan Higgins and Mikey Miller make up the back 3 with Nat Wedderburn sitting just ahead to protect. The midfield consists of Yeats, Adam Brown, Ross Forbes and Ross Philp. Euan O’Reilly and Matty Yates will use their pace and energy to lead the line.

It was the visitors who started stronger and controlled the first 10 minutes of the match. However, they done so without creating much and the makeshift home defence was able to deal with any moves into the home box.

The first good chance of the game to the home side on 10 minutes. Matty Yates fired a tremendous pass out to the right for Ross Philp to collect, his first time driven cross was inviting, but Euan O’Reilly at the back post couldn’t really get enough on it to cause problems. It’s the first time The Warriors have really ventured forward and the pass by Matty Yates to Philp shows why he’s regarded so highly at Ochilview.

That gave Stenhousemuir some encouragement as they grew into the game and it didn’t take long to get the reward.

GOAL: Ross Philp takes the throw in deep on the right. He passed to O’Reilly who played a neat pass back to Philp. Philp then played in Adam Brown and continued his run and Brown’s neat back heel found Philp in the box and the Kelty Hearts loanee struck from 12 yards out with a neat finish and his first goal for Stenhousemuir. STENHOUSEMUIR 1-0 EAST FIFE [Ross Philp, 19 minutes]

Chances for the remainder of the first half were few and far between. The last good chance of the half fell to the home side in 37 minutes. There was some very neat passing on the left by East Fife, but they just couldn’t break down the stubborn backline. As they looked to play the ball back and start again, Matty Yates stole the ball and drove forward. He attempted to play in Adam Brown with ball over the top, but it was ever so slightly over hit and resulted in a goal kick for the visitors.

HALF TIME: STENHOUSEMUIR 1-0 EAST FIFE

Into the second half and East Fife have certainly upped their tempo. Balde delivered in an excellent cross on 55 minutes, but Shepherd just couldn’t get on the end when surely any touch at all would’ve resulted in the equaliser. As The Warriors were looking to defend the resultant corner, it looks like Adam Corbett may have handled the ball in the box but the referee waves play on despite some strong appeals by The Fifers. Eventually, the ball breaks to Healy who tries a driven shot which drops wide of the goal.

East Fife have started the half strongest but it was Ross Forbes who had a good chance to get on the scoresheet. Matty Yates played a neat ball over the top and Forbes’ drove into the box, but his left footed shot was well saved by Fleming.

Into the 71st minute and the game is about to be turned on it’s head. The ball drops to Shepherd in the box and as he bundles his way towards goal he’s held back by Higgins who receives his 2nd red card of the season and gives away a penalty in the process.

GOAL: Alan trouten makes no mistake as he sends Brennan the wrong way from the spot. STENHOUSEMUIR 1-1 EAST FIFE [Alan Trouten 72 minutes]

That’s a tough one for The Warriors to take, but the extended pressure from East Fife has finally delivered their breakthrough.

Despite having a man short, it’s The Warriors who had the next chance of the match. Ross Philp had a drive from the edge of the box and only an amazing save by Fleming has stopped The Warriors retaking the lead.

GOAL: Fleming can do nothing to prevent Stenhousemuir’s second of the game. A Matty Yates corner was met by Mikey Miller and his header, and second of the season, has given Stenhousemuir their lead back with just under 20 minutes to play. STENHOUSEMUIR 2-1 EAST FIFE [Mikey Miller 74 minutes]

Into the final 7 minutes and East Fife had a glorious chance to equalise for the second time. A ball was played across the goal to the back post and Trouten came sliding in to finish into an empty net. Empty, that is, until Conor Brennan came flying across his goal line and somehow managed to keep the hold of the ball win it surely should’ve been East Fife’s second.

GOAL: Just when it looks like The Warriors had held out for a welcome 3 points, up popped Jack Healy who managed to curl a fantastic strike into the top corner. It’s a shot he’s been trying all game and Stephen Swift will de disappointed that his side have conceded so late in the game and that the midfielder wasn’t closed down quick enough. STENHOUSEMUIR 2-2 EAST FIFE [Jack Healy, 90+2 minutes]

FULL TIME: STENHOUSEMUIR 2-2 EAST FIFE

It’s Stenhousemuir’s 2nd 2-2 league result in a row and, again, defensive issues preventing a welcome 3 points.

Other results mean that The Warriors drop out of the playoff spots after 13 games played.

WarriorsTV spoke with Stephen Swift and Ross Philp following the match. Highlights from the 2-2 draw can be found HERE!

It’s the first of 3 lengthy trips coming up, as we head south west to take on Stranraer. The sides met at Ochilview earlier this season, with the hosts winning 3-1. That win was our first since 2017 against the Blues, you would have to go back to the 7th of November 2015 for the last time the Warriors won at Stair Park. Goals from Mark Gilhaney and Jason Scotland saw the Warriors win 2-1, with Ryan Thomson scoring for the hosts that day.

Admission for Saturday’s game is set at £15/10/5 with the Supporter’s bus leaving at 10.30am. Names to Andy McPhate as usual.

The new Football Manager has been released this past Wednesday. Can you guide Stenhousemuir to the top?

Pos	Club	P	Pts
1	Inverness CT	24	47
2	Stenhousemuir	24	42
3	Queen of the South	25	39
4	Alloa Athletic	24	37
5	Montrose	23	29
6	Peterhead	23	29
7	East Fife	24	28
8	Cove Rangers	24	19
9	Hamilton Academical	23	17
10	Kelty Hearts	24	15

Pos	Club	P	Pts
1	Falkirk FCF Ladies	17	44
2	Renfrew Ladies FC	17	39
3	Rossvale WFC	16	31
4	Forfar Farmington Women	17	31
5	Bonnyrigg Rose LFC	16	29
6	Stenhousemuir WFC	17	29
7	Dryburgh Athletic	17	25
8	Ayr United Ladies	16	24
9	Inverness CT WFC	17	19
10	Greenock Morton WFT	17	12
11	Armadale Thistle FC	16	5
12	Glasgow GWFC	16	0