Cove Rangers vs Stenhousemuir

Match Report

Match Report by Scott Gallacher, Communications Officer & Reporter

 

Stenhousemuir ran out 1-0 winners against Cove Rangers at the Balmoral Stadium in the William Hill League One.

The decisive goal would come from a Matty Aitken penalty in the 48^th minute, and a resolute and battling performance from the Stenhousemuir defence meant that Cove were unable to get an equaliser.

Gary Naysmith made seven changes to the starting XI, with Darren Jamieson, Ross Meechan, Archie Graham, Euan O’Reilly, Matty Aitken, Oliver Whyte and Scott McGill coming into the side.

Cove Rangers took fifteen minutes to register their first effort of the afternoon, as Arron Darge tried his luck from distance but saw his strike sail over the bar.

Lewis O’Donnell had the next attempt for the hosts, this time on target, forcing Darren Jamieson into a magnificent diving save to keep the scores level.

With half an hour played, clear-cut chances were few and far between, as both sides battled for control in midfield.

Matty Aitken did well to hold off his man before slipping the ball to Dale Carrick, who looked to cut inside and shoot, but a heavy touch allowed the Cove defence to clear.

Cove thought they had taken the lead when a ball into the Stenny box was parried by Jamieson, and David Eguaibor tapped home the rebound, but the assistant’s flag was raised for offside.

The final chance of the half also fell to the home side, as a cross from the right was misjudged by Kinlay Bilham and dropped kindly for Reuben McAllister, who fired over from close range.

Half-time: Cove Rangers 0-0 Stenhousemuir

The Warriors made a bright start to the second half and were awarded a penalty just three minutes after the restart when Liam Parker brought down Ross Taylor inside the area.

Aitken took responsibility from the spot and, in the 48th minute, struck low to the keeper’s right. The effort clipped the post and rolled across the line to put Stenhousemuir 1-0 up.

Cove looked for an immediate response, working the ball neatly around the edge of the box before Mitch Megginson attempted to shoot, only to lose his footing on the surface as Stenny cleared the danger.

The hosts continued to press for an equaliser, with David Eguaibor firing over from range, followed shortly by another attempt from Ryan Harrington that also cleared the crossbar.

Stenhousemuir’s defensive organisation remained solid throughout, with Jamieson and his back line standing firm to preserve the lead.

Zeke Cameron was so close to getting a second for Stenhousemuir, and his first for the club, as he jinked his way inside the box and got a shot away, but it was blocked by the Cove defence.

The Stenny defence deserved full credit, as their defensive prowess meant that Cove couldn’t find the equaliser they were chasing, and meant that Stenhousemuir took all three points after a battling performance.

Full-Time: Cove Rangers 0-1 Stenhousemuir

Cove Rangers: Mutch, Bisland, Harrington, Yule, Megginson, Darge (J. Eguaibor 64’), McAillister (Mylchreest 79’), Emslie, D. Eguaibor, O’Donnell, Parker

Unused Subs: Demus, Strachan, Donaldson

Stenhousemuir: Jamieson, Meechan, Buchanan, Graham, O’Reilly (Grant 79’), Aitken (Ewen 90’), Taylor, Bilham, Carrick (Cameron 79’), Whyte (Gray 87’), McGill

Unused Subs: Gromov, Simpson

Bookings: Bilham 2’, Megginson 43’, Parker 47’, Carrick 55’, Bisland 81’, McGill 84’, O’Donnell 90+’

 

PREVIEW

Match Preview by Scott Gallacher, Communications Officer & Reporter

 

Stenhousemuir return to William Hill League One action this weekend as they make the trip north to face Cove Rangers at the Balmoral Stadium. Kick-off is at 3pm.

The fixture marks the first of a three-game run on the road for the Warriors, and it will be a special occasion for manager Gary Naysmith, who reaches 100 league games in charge of the club.

Stenhousemuir head into the match in fine form after maintaining their flawless record in the KDM Evolution Trophy, following a convincing 4-0 victory over Motherwell B last weekend.

Captain Gregor Buchanan opened the scoring on his 100th appearance for the club with a powerful header, before Dale Carrick doubled the advantage shortly before half-time.

Matty Aitken added a third early in the second half, and Finlay Gray rounded off a complete performance with a fourth goal to seal a comfortable win for the Warriors.

Hosts Cove Rangers also come into the game on the back of a strong KDM Evolution Trophy performance, having defeated Dundee United B 5-1, with braces from Jackson Mylchreest and David Eguaibor, and a goal from Mitch Megginson.

However, in League One, Cove currently sit at the foot of the table on two points and are still searching for their first win of the campaign. Their most recent league outing ended in a 2-0 defeat to East Fife.

The sides last met in August earlier this season at Ochilview, where Dale Carrick struck in the sixth minute, his second goal in as many appearances for the club, to secure all three points for the Warriors in a 1-0 win.

When asked about the run of three away games in a row, assistant manager Brown Ferguson said: “That’s the good thing about the last few weeks, we’ve been able to rotate things a little bit and see players in slightly different positions. Layton, for example, played the first half as a holding midfielder before moving into centre-half.

“We’ll obviously need to reassess any niggles or injuries from today, a couple of players came on with knocks and minor muscle issues. Mikey Anderson, who’s missing today, is hopefully going to be on the pitch at some point this week, though whether he’s ready for next weekend we’ll need to see. Nicky Jamieson is still a little while away, but he’s now doing more pitch-based work.

“It’s good that the vast majority of the players are getting good minutes on the pitch and should be ready for the game next week.”