Match Report

Match Report by Scott Gallacher

 

Stenhousemuir marked their first match in the William Hill Championship with a hard-fought point after drawing 1-1 with Raith Rovers at Stark’s Park.

Paul McMullan’s outstanding first-half strike put the hosts ahead, but Lewis Hodgkiss responded in unconventional fashion to bring the Warriors level. A disciplined second-half performance, and a late offside flag, ensured Marvin Bartley’s side began the league campaign with a valuable point on the road.

Bartley named an unchanged starting XI from the Premier Sports Cup draw with Livingston.

Former Prime Minister and lifelong Rovers supporter Gordon Brown was among the 2,239 spectators at Stark’s Park. He, along with the rest of the home support, ultimately had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Raith made a positive start as Dylan Easton sent an inviting delivery into the Stenhousemuir box, but none of his teammates could get the required touch.

Lewis Stevenson was next to threaten from the left. His low cross carried plenty of danger, although Darren Jamieson gathered it comfortably.

The Warriors then had a strong penalty appeal waved away after Hodgkiss went down inside the Rovers box, despite the challenge appearing to warrant a spot-kick.

Raith opened the scoring in spectacular fashion in the 19th minute. McMullan collected possession outside the box and curled an unstoppable strike into the top-right corner, leaving Jamieson with no chance.

Stenhousemuir responded 11 minutes later, and in unusual circumstances. Hodgkiss was in the right place as the ball rebounded off his face and flew beyond Josh Rae, bringing the Warriors level on the half-hour mark.

The visitors almost completed the turnaround when Dale Carrick found himself in acres of space inside the Raith box. The forward met the delivery with his head but sent the ball agonisingly wide of the post.

Jamieson then got down well to save Anton Dowds’ header before Carrick saw Stenhousemuir’s next attempt gathered by Rae.

Hodgkiss registered the final opportunity of the half, but the Rovers goalkeeper smothered his effort to ensure the sides entered the interval level.

Half-Time: Raith Rovers 1-1 Stenhousemuir

McMullan issued an early warning after the restart when he latched on to a loose ball inside the box, but the goalscorer fired well over and into the Penman Family Stand.

Jamieson produced a tremendous save in the 53rd minute to deny Easton. The loose ball fell to Ross Millen, but he was unable to keep his follow-up on target.

Dowds then had another attempt at the Stenhousemuir goal, although the Raith forward shanked his effort wide.

Jamieson was required again as the hosts continued to search for a second, producing another vital stop to keep the match level. Play was paused shortly afterwards as Hodgkiss received treatment and the goalscorer was unable to continue.

Euan O’Reilly replaced the injured Hodgkiss in the 73rd minute, while Finn Robson was introduced for Lewis O’Donnell as part of the same double substitution.

John Robertson tried to restore Raith’s advantage with an effort from outside the box, but his shot curled wide of the far post.

O’Reilly almost created an opening for Callum Penman at the other end. His delivery flashed across the box towards the defender, but it carried slightly too much pace and skimmed off the top of Penman’s boot.

There was almost a cruel ending for the Warriors when Raith found the net in the 90th minute. The home celebrations were cut short, however, as the assistant referee raised his flag for offside.

Jamieson made one final save from Dowds deep into stoppage time, ensuring Stenhousemuir left Stark’s Park with a deserved point from their opening Championship fixture.

Full-Time: Raith Rovers 1-1 Stenhousemuir

 

Match Preview

Match Preview by Scott Gallacher

 

Stenhousemuir begin their historic William Hill Championship campaign on Saturday afternoon as Marvin Bartley’s side travel to Stark’s Park to face Raith Rovers.

The action gets under way at 3pm as the Warriors compete in Scotland’s second tier for the first time since the league structure was reorganised following the 1974/75 season.

Stenhousemuir head to Kirkcaldy following an unbeaten start to the new campaign, having secured their place in the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup by finishing top of Group E with 10 points.

The Warriors opened the group with a 2-0 victory over Forfar Athletic at Ochilview Park. Lewis Hodgkiss broke the deadlock in the 66th minute before Matty Aitken doubled the advantage just two minutes later.

That was followed by a 2-1 win away to Brechin City, with Mikey Anderson opening the scoring after nine minutes. Dale Carrick then restored Stenhousemuir’s lead on the stroke of half-time after the hosts had drawn level.

Bartley’s side continued their unbeaten run with a dramatic 2-2 draw against Partick Thistle at Firhill. Euan O’Reilly converted from the penalty spot in the fifth minute before Callum Penman made it 2-0 midway through the opening half. Partick fought back to force a penalty shootout, but Darren Jamieson made the decisive save as the Warriors claimed the bonus point with a 5-3 victory.

Stenhousemuir then welcomed Livingston to Ochilview Park in their final group fixture. Jamieson saved a penalty during a goalless 90 minutes before denying Livingston three more times in the shootout. Scott Bright converted the decisive kick as the Warriors won 3-1 on penalties to secure top spot.

Their reward is a home tie against Premiership opposition Motherwell in the last 16 on Sunday 16 August.

The Warriors also enjoyed a successful pre-season, lifting the Stirlingshire Cup for the 12th time in the club’s history and for the first time since 2014/15. Victories over Stirling Albion, Dumbarton and Alloa Athletic saw Stenhousemuir complete the competition without conceding a goal.

That means Bartley’s side arrive at Stark’s Park unbeaten across seven matches, with five victories inside regulation time, two successful penalty shootouts and five clean sheets.

Raith Rovers enter the new season as holders of the KDM Evolution Trophy after defeating Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4-1 in last season’s final at Firhill.

Dougie Imrie’s side narrowly missed out on qualification from their Premier Sports Cup group despite remaining unbeaten across their four matches inside 90 minutes.

Raith began with a 3-1 victory over Elgin City at Stark’s Park. An Elgin own goal opened the scoring before Kai Montagu and Ross Millen found the net for the hosts.

A goalless draw against William Hill Premiership side Kilmarnock followed, with Killie claiming the bonus point through a 4-2 shootout victory.

Raith then drew 1-1 away to Hamilton Academical. Lewis Vaughan opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Cameron Blues equalised for the hosts, who went on to win the resulting shootout 5-4.

Dylan Easton scored the only goal as Raith concluded their group campaign with a 1-0 victory over Peterhead. The Kirkcaldy side finished third in Group H with eight points, behind Kilmarnock and Hamilton.

Raith completed their preparations for the league season with a friendly against Heart of Midlothian at Stark’s Park last Friday. A late goal earned Hearts a narrow 1-0 victory.

The sides most recent encounter took place at Ochilview Park on 6 April 2019. Mark McGuigan put Stenhousemuir ahead in the 58th minute, but Liam Buchanan struck in stoppage time to earn Raith a 1-1 draw.

The supporters’ bus will leave Ochilview Park at 1pm. Travel costs £20 for adults and £10 for concessions.