Match Report

Match Preview by Scott Gallacher

Stenhousemuir return to Scottish Cup action on Sunday evening as they welcome Falkirk to Ochilview Park in a local derby for a place in the quarter-finals of the Scottish Gas Men’s Scottish Cup, with the tie set to be broadcast live on BBC Scotland.

The Warriors come into the Round of 16 following a dramatic and hard-fought 2-2 draw against Peterhead in the William Hill League One, showing tremendous character to rescue a point late on.

Peterhead took the lead in the first half when Kieran Shanks brought a ball under control inside the box before calmly slotting past Darren Jamieson, giving the visitors a 1-0 advantage at the break.

Five minutes after the restart, the Blue Toon doubled their lead. A set-piece delivery from Craig McGuffie caused problems in the Stenhousemuir box, and Andrew McCarthy rose highest to power a header into the net and make it 2-0.

Despite the setback, Gary Naysmith’s side continued to push forward and were rewarded with a dramatic late comeback.

With five minutes remaining, a dangerous delivery into the area found Matty Aitken at the far post, and the striker headed confidently home to pull one back.

Moments later, Ochilview erupted again as another ball into the box was met by Dale Carrick, who threw himself at the delivery with a diving header to thump the ball into the net and bring the Warriors level.

The late surge ensured Stenhousemuir extended their unbeaten home run to 18 matches and maintained joint top spot in the league.

Stenhousemuir’s journey to the Round of 16 has been highlighted by an emphatic 4-0 victory over Championship opposition Greenock Morton at Ochilview.

The breakthrough came on 39 minutes when a corner into the Morton box was met by Ross Meechan, who guided the ball into the net to open the scoring.

Greenock Morton were awarded a penalty to get back on level terms, but Darren Jamieson guessed correctly to deny Eamonn Brophy and preserve the gloveman’s clean sheet.

Just before the interval, the Warriors doubled their lead. Another set-piece caused problems for the visitors, and Matty Aitken rose highest to head home in the 45th minute, sending Stenhousemuir into the break with a two-goal cushion.

Early in the second half, Darren Jamieson played a key role in preserving the advantage, producing a series of outstanding saves.

The third arrived on 65 minutes when captain Gregor Buchanan, facing his former club, met a corner with a powerful header to put the Warriors firmly in control.

Any remaining doubt was removed ten minutes from time as Matty Aitken struck again, latching onto a perfectly weighted pass from Ross Meechan before finishing confidently from close range to seal a dominant cup performance.

Falkirk arrive at Ochilview following a strong 2-1 victory over Livingston in the William Hill Premiership.

The Bairns made a fast start, taking the lead early on through Kyrell Wilson, before Louie Marsh doubled their advantage before the break.

Livingston pulled one back shortly after the restart through Connor McLennan, but Falkirk held firm to secure all three points.

Falkirk’s path to the Round of 16 has been equally impressive. In the previous round, they travelled to Tynecastle to face Premiership leaders Heart of Midlothian.

Ben Parkinson put Falkirk ahead, but an 86th-minute strike from Lawrence Shankland forced the tie to penalties, with Falkirk holding their nerve in the shootout, winning 5-4 to book their place in the last 16.

The last time the two sides met in the Scottish Cup was at Ochilview in 2018, in a memorable fourth-round encounter.

Falkirk opened the scoring early through Paul Paton, but Stenhousemuir responded emphatically, with Conor McBrearty scoring twice in the space of four minutes to swing the momentum back in the Warriors’ favour.

Just before the break, Joe McKee levelled the tie for Falkirk, sending the sides in level at half-time.

In the second half, Sean Dickson restored Stenhousemuir’s lead, before Mark McGuigan added a late fourth to seal a 4-2 victory and progression in the competition.

With an expectant Ochilview crowd, live national coverage and a place in the quarter-finals at stake, the stage is set for another memorable Scottish Cup night as Stenhousemuir look to extend their cup run and write another chapter in the club’s history.