Match Report

Match Report written by Scott Gallacher

Stenhousemuir fell to a 2-0 defeat against Cove Rangers at Balmoral Stadium in the William Hill League One, despite a competitive performance throughout.

Adam Emslie opened the scoring for the hosts with ten minutes played, before Mitchell Megginson added a second just after the restart to secure the points for Cove.

Gary Naysmith made two changes from the 1-1 draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, with Euan O’Reilly and Leyton Grant coming into the starting XI, replacing Olly Whyte and Kane Ritchie-Hosler.

Scott McGill had the first chance of the day as his effort inside the opening minute fired over the bar.

Despite this early opportunity, Cove Rangers took the lead in the 10th minute as Adam Emslie was picked out inside the box by Chris Maguire and fired past Darren Jamieson.

Matty Aitken was next to threaten for the Warriors as his headed effort went just wide of the post after a well-weighted cross found him inside the area.

Another strong chance for Stenny to draw level came from Ross Taylor, whose shot was saved well by Balint Demus.

The final opportunity of the half fell to the hosts as Joseph Teasdale collected the ball on the edge of the Stenhousemuir box, but his effort sailed over the target.

Half-Time: Cove Rangers 1-0 Stenhousemuir

Six minutes after the restart, Cove added their second as Mitchell Megginson held off Nicky Jamieson before finishing low at the near post.

The Warriors continued to push for a response, with Olly Whyte next to try his luck but firing over.

A minute later, substitute Finlay Gray struck from distance, but his effort went wide of the far post.

Despite enjoying spells of possession, Stenhousemuir found chances limited in the second half as Cove Rangers defended well to see out a 2-0 victory.

Full-Time: Cove Rangers 2-0 Stenhousemuir

Match Preview

Match Preview written by Scott Gallacher

The Warriors make the trip north to face Cove Rangers at Balmoral Stadium this Saturday, with kick-off scheduled for 3:00pm in the William Hill League One.

Stenhousemuir come into the match off the back of a hard-fought 1-1 draw with Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Ochilview Park.

It was the visitors who opened the scoring on the day, as Calum MacLeod reacted quickest to a rebounded save from Darren Jamieson, tapping home from close range.

The Warriors showed their resilience once again though, with Matty Aitken stepping up to convert from the penalty spot with ten minutes remaining, calmly slotting into the bottom left corner to secure a valuable point.

That result initially saw Stenhousemuir move to the top of the table. However, Inverness regained top spot in midweek following victory over Peterhead in their game in hand, leaving just one point separating the two sides at the summit.

Cove Rangers, meanwhile, come into the match following a 2-0 defeat to Queen of the South at Palmerston Park.

After a goalless first half, Benjamin Luissint broke the deadlock before Reece Lyon added a second to secure all three points for the Doonhamers.

The result leaves Cove sitting eighth in the table, three points ahead of Hamilton Academical in ninth, and three behind East Fife in seventh, as they continue their push to climb the standings.

The last meeting between the sides came in February at Ochilview, where Olly Whyte’s strike secured a narrow 1-0 victory for the Warriors.

That result continues a strong recent record in this fixture, with Stenhousemuir winning all three meetings between the sides this season by a 1-0 scoreline.

With the title race finely poised, Gary Naysmith’s side will be aiming for another win, and keep the pressure firmly on at the top of the table.