Stenhousemuir vs Montrose

Match Report

Match Report by Scott Gallacher, Communications Officer & Reporter

The Warriors got back to winning ways as they ran out 3-1 winners over Montrose in the William Hill League One at Ochilview.

A 25-yard screamer from Scott McGill fired Stenny in front before Matty Aitken made it two just before the break with a headed effort.

Montrose pulled one back through Graham Webster, but the in-form Euan O’Reilly slotted the ball into the Mo net to seal all three points for Stenhousemuir.

Gary Naysmith made three changes to his starting XI from last week’s game against Hamilton, with Oliver Simpson, Finn Robson and Dale Carrick coming into the side in place of Michael Anderson, Kinlay Bilham and Oliver Whyte.

The first chance of the game came from a free-kick, where Ollie Simpson’s effort flew goalward but was gathered well by Cameron Gill.

Montrose had their own effort shortly afterwards from a free-kick. This time, the shot was deflected and cleared away from danger by the Warriors’ defence.

Scott Meechan was brought down, and the third free-kick of the game was taken within 12 minutes. Ross Taylor’s shot, however, was well blocked by the Gable Endies’ defence.

A ball into the Stenhousemuir box looked promising for the visitors, but Darren Jamieson was alert and collected it comfortably.

A rapid Warriors attack spearheaded by Dale Carrick saw the striker hold the ball up well before releasing it to Ross Taylor, whose effort was blocked.

The opening goal came in tremendous fashion in the 28th minute as Scott McGill received the ball and held off a challenge from Craig Brown. He then charged towards goal and rifled it into the top right-hand corner from 25 yards out.

Matty Aitken gave the Warriors a two-goal cushion as Ollie Simpson’s free-kick whipped into the Montrose box, evading the visitors’ defenders and allowing him to head the ball into the back of the net with 36 minutes on the clock.

Stenny could well have been three goals up going into the break, as Ollie Simpson’s ball into Matty Aitken was slammed off the Mo crossbar before being cleared away from danger.

Half-Time: Stenhousemuir 2-0 Montrose

Three minutes after play resumed, Stenny conceded a penalty following a late challenge inside the box. Graham Webster stepped up and made no mistake from 12 yards.

Montrose began to exert pressure on the Stenhousemuir backline as another effort was sent goalward, however, Darren Jamieson did well once again to block the shot and keep the Warriors in front.

Matty Aitken broke away on a quick counter-attack and laid the ball off to Dale Carrick, whose shot was blocked. The rebound fell to Ross Taylor, but he fired over the crossbar.

Montrose had another shot on target, but it was well smothered by Darren Jamieson.

Another rapid counter-attack followed. Dale Carrick held the ball up well once again on the left wing before passing to Ross Taylor, who found Finn Robson. Robson could have taken the shot himself but unselfishly laid it off to Euan O’Reilly, who slotted the ball into the side netting to restore Stenny’s two-goal cushion with 56 minutes played.

The Warriors could have been out of sight in the 64th minute as Ross Taylor found the back of the net, but Douglas Ross raised his flag for offside.

There was plenty of success coming from fluid counter-attacks as Ross Taylor looked to get his goal, but Cameron Gill gathered the ball well.

The last chance of the game fell to Terry Masson, but Darren Jamieson once again did well to make the save and preserve the two-goal cushion, allowing Stenny to run out well-deserved winners on the day.

Full-Time: Stenhousemuir 3-1 Montrose

Stenhousemuir: Jamieson, Meechan (Ewen 90’), Simpson, Buchanan, Graham, O’Reilly (Bilham 87’), Robson, Aitken, Taylor (Cameron 77’), Carrick (Whyte 87’), McGill (Grant 90’)
Unused Subs: Gromov, Gray

Montrose: Gill, Steeves, Waddell, Masson, Webster (May 84’), Sandilands (Clark 74’), Gibson (Stevenson 61’), Lyons, Freeman (Williamson 61’), Bertie, Brown (Lowden 46’)
Unused Subs: Miller, Dillon, Tidser, Machado

Bookings: Aitken 21’, Waddell 67’, Steeves 76’, Clark 78’
Attendance: 384

 

MATCH PREVIEW

Match Preview by Scott Gallacher, Communications Officer & Reporter

 

Stenhousemuir return to Ochilview this weekend as they prepare to take on Montrose in the William Hill League One with a 3pm kick-off.

The Warriors saw their impressive ten-match unbeaten run come to an end last Saturday with a 2-0 defeat away to Hamilton Academical at Broadwood Stadium. Despite the result, Gary Naysmith’s side created a number of strong chances and were left frustrated by two penalty appeals which went unanswered.

Goals from Oliver Shaw and Kevin O’Hara meant that all three points went to the hosts, despite a spirited Stenny performance.

Montrose, meanwhile, arrive in good form after securing a 2-1 win over Queen of the South at Links Park. Goals from Graham Webster and Kieran Freeman ensured the Mo would continue their strong run of form, going unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions.

The last meeting between the two sides came back in March at Ochilview, when Montrose edged out a 3-2 win. On that occasion, a second-half fightback from the Warriors featuring goals from Blair Alston and Matthew Aitken wasn’t enough to overturn the three-goal deficit.

Looking ahead to the match, speaking to WarriorsTV, captain Gregor Buchanan said: “We want to bounce back as quick as possible. A home game against Montrose is something that we’ll look at and try to get another three points from and start another run again.

As a whole, we can’t get too disheartened at a defeat because we’ve been on such a good run, but obviously as players, you don’t like losing games of football. We’ll try and put a positive spin on it and get going again.”

AWAY FANS

Away fans please purchase tickets for the main stand or Loc Hire Ultras Area due to work ongoing in the away enclosure.