Match Report

Match Report by Scott Gallacher

 

Stenhousemuir returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over local rivals Alloa Athletic in the William Hill League One at Ochilview Park.

The decisive moment came in the 65th minute as substitute Dale Carrick reacted quickest to fire the ball into the roof of the net.

Gary Naysmith made two changes from the defeat to Cove Rangers, with Archie Graham and Olly Whyte coming into the starting XI, replacing Ross Meechan and Leyton Grant.

Alloa sent an early warning in the sixth minute as Lewis Stewart received the ball out wide but fired high over the target.

Another effort for the Wasps followed two minutes later, this time through Luke Donnelly, but his header bounced off the turf and into the hands of Darren Jamieson.

A superb chipped ball from Olly Whyte bypassed the Alloa midfield and found Ross Taylor, who looked set to shoot before the chance was snatched away at the last moment.

Calum Waters then responded with an effort toward the far post, but it drifted wide.

Euan O’Reilly delivered a perfectly weighted ball into the Wasp danger area, but it was scrambled clear by the visitors’ defence.

Soon after, Kinlay Bilham had a chance from close range after receiving the ball from out wide, but his volley flew over the bar.

This was a promising spell for the Warriors, as Mikey Anderson then played a clever pass through the Alloa defence to Ross Taylor, who drove forward well but shot wide.

Stenhousemuir were forced into an early change as Nicky Jamieson went down around the half-hour mark and had to be replaced through injury.

The final chance of the half fell to Stenny as Ross Taylor had two efforts in quick succession. The first deflected off an Alloa defender and returned to him, before he drifted toward the edge of the box and struck again, with Liam McFarlane gathering.

Half-Time: Stenhousemuir 0-0 Alloa Athletic

Alloa began the second half in a similar fashion, but a superb block from Gregor Buchanan and a diving save from Darren Jamieson kept the scores level.

Three minutes later, Jamieson was called into action again, making another excellent save to deny Luke Donnelly.

Kurtis Roberts then worked space on the flank and got a shot away, but the bounce of the ball took it over the bar.

Calum Waters was next to threaten, but his effort also went wide.

A quick Stenhousemuir counter-attack allowed Ross Taylor to shoot, but his effort went over.

Dale Carrick, introduced from the bench, looked lively and had three attempts in quick succession.

His first was a headed effort from a cross on the left, which drifted just wide.

The second came from close range, but he couldn’t make a clean connection and the ball went wide.

Third time proved decisive. Matty Aitken brought the ball down well and found Ross Taylor, whose shot was parried by Liam McFarlane, only for Carrick to react quickest and thunder the rebound into the net.

A second almost followed in spectacular fashion as Ross Meechan struck a half-volley from distance, forcing a strong save from McFarlane.

The final chance of the match fell to the visitors, as Stefan Scougall fired high and wide.

A huge three points for the Warriors keeps the pressure on at the top of the William Hill League One heading into the final day, with Stenhousemuir knowing a victory at Montrose, coupled with a slip from Inverness Caledonian Thistle, could still see the title head to Ochilview Park.

Full-Time: Stenhousemuir 1-0 Alloa Athletic

 

Match Preview

Match Preview by Scott Gallacher

 

Stenhousemuir return to Ochilview Park this Saturday for their final home match of the regular William Hill League One campaign, as the Warriors host rivals Alloa Athletic in a 3pm kick-off.

Gary Naysmith’s side will be looking to respond after their impressive 16-game unbeaten run came to an end last weekend against Cove Rangers.

Stenny fell behind early at Balmoral Stadium, with Adam Emslie striking in the 10th minute before Mitchell Megginson doubled the advantage shortly after the break to secure all three points.

Despite that setback, Stenhousemuir remain firmly in second place in the table, sitting four points behind leaders Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Results elsewhere mean the Warriors have now secured a top-two finish, guaranteeing that they cannot finish anywhere below this spot.

Saturday’s clash provides an opportunity to bounce back and sign off the regular season at Ochilview on a high.

The visitors, Alloa Athletic, arrive following a 2-0 victory over East Fife last time out.

Calum Waters opened the scoring inside 16 minutes before Luke Donnelly added a second just after the hour mark to seal the win.

Currently third in the table and eight points behind the Warriors, the Wasps will be aiming to further cement their play-off position, with Queen of the South just three points behind them in fourth adding extra pressure heading into the final stages of the campaign.

The last meeting between the sides came in December at Recreation Park, where the teams played out a competitive but ultimately goalless draw.

With local pride on the line and the Warriors look to finish their home league campaign on a positive note, supporters can expect a fiercely contested derby.