Match Report

Match Report written by Scott Gallacher

 

Stenhousemuir delivered one of their most complete performances of the season so far as a Lewis O’Donnell double and Sam Young’s first goal for the club secured an emphatic 3-1 victory over Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Ochilview.

Against the side who had pipped them to last season’s League One title by just two points, the Warriors were clinical, composed and thoroughly deserving of all three points.

The victory extended Stenny’s unbeaten start to nine matches in all competitions and moved Marvin Bartley’s side two points clear at the top of the William Hill Championship with 10 points from a possible 12.

Bartley made one change to the side that started the 2-0 victory over Queen’s Park, with Gus Stevenson replacing Lewis Hodgkiss in the starting XI.

The visitors created the first opening of the afternoon after six minutes when Morgan Bates rose to meet a delivery into the box, although his looping header was gathered comfortably by Darren Jamieson.

Jamieson was called into action again shortly afterwards as another ball into the Warriors’ area threatened to find Alfie Bavidge, but the Stenny goalkeeper read the danger well and collected before the striker could make a telling connection.

Stenhousemuir soon began to settle into the contest and Dale Carrick registered their first effort of the afternoon in the 13th minute, taking aim from distance but sending his strike over Ross Munro’s crossbar.

Paul Allan then tried his luck for Inverness from the edge of the box, dragging his effort wide of the far post as both sides continued to probe for the opening goal.

That breakthrough arrived in the 23rd minute, and it came through Lewis O’Donnell. Carrick threaded the ball into the winger’s path and O’Donnell burst into the penalty area before drilling a low, powerful finish beyond Munro from the tightest of angles to give the Warriors a deserved lead.

Stenny immediately went searching for a second. Carrick tested Munro with another effort from outside the area before Sam Young rose at the back post to meet a corner, only to send his header agonisingly wide.

O’Donnell remained at the heart of everything dangerous from the hosts. After sending a free-kick narrowly over, he drove a low delivery into the six-yard box which Noa Boutin was forced to deal with, the Inverness defender narrowly avoiding turning the ball into his own net.

The visitors threatened again four minutes from the interval when Allan found space inside the area, but he could not generate enough power in his effort and Jamieson gathered comfortably.

There was still time for Stenny to go close once more as O’Donnell delivered towards the back post and found Young, whose header flashed just wide to leave the Warriors one goal ahead at the break.

Half-Time: Stenhousemuir 1-0 Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Scott Kellacher responded with a double change at the interval, introducing Calum MacLeod and Ryan Duncan in place of Kerr Smith and Morgan Bates.

However, it took Stenhousemuir only five minutes of the second half to double their advantage, and they did so in spectacular fashion.

Ross Meechan’s long throw was not properly cleared by the Inverness defence and the loose ball fell invitingly to O’Donnell on the edge of the box. The winger needed no second invitation, unleashing a ferocious strike which flew beyond Munro and ripped into the bottom corner.

Inverness responded almost immediately. Half-time substitute Duncan supplied the ball into the middle and Liam Sole converted from close range in the 52nd minute to reduce the deficit and momentarily offer the visitors a route back into the contest.

The Warriors refused to allow any momentum to build, though, and restored their two-goal cushion just five minutes later. O’Donnell floated the ball towards the back post, where Young rose to power his header beyond Munro and open his account for Stenhousemuir with a goal his performance richly deserved.

Bartley made a triple substitution in the 59th minute as Carrick, Finn Robson and Stevenson made way for Euan O’Reilly, Matthew Gillies and Hodgkiss.

O’Reilly almost made an immediate impact after racing beyond the Inverness defence and bearing down on goal, but his attempted finish drifted agonisingly wide of the post.

At the other end, Bavidge attempted to catch Jamieson out from a difficult angle, although his effort could only find the side netting.

The visitors made two further changes midway through the half, with Daniel Mackay replacing goalscorer Sole before Adam Mackinnon took the place of Boutin.

Tensions briefly boiled over in the 70th minute, resulting in yellow cards for Leyton Grant, Graeme Shinnie and Alfie Stewart following a flashpoint between the two sides.

O’Donnell’s outstanding afternoon came to an end three minutes later when he was replaced by Callum Penman, departing having scored twice and supplied the delivery for Young’s goal.

Alfie Bavidge became the next player cautioned before Gregor Buchanan was introduced in place of Grant in Stenny’s final change of the afternoon. Inverness then completed their own changes as Miller Keir replaced Bavidge.

The Warriors continued to carry a threat in the closing stages. Hodgkiss was released in behind the Inverness defence and forced Munro into a smart stop with his legs, denying Stenny a fourth.

Penman then produced a beautifully weighted delivery towards O’Reilly at the far side of the box, but an Inverness defender recovered in time to divert the ball behind for a corner.

Buchanan was next to test Munro, directing a header towards goal which the Inverness goalkeeper collected, before the Warriors applied further late pressure through a succession of corners.

Remi Savage was shown the final yellow card of the afternoon after bringing down O’Reilly in stoppage time, shortly before referee Don Robertson brought proceedings to an end.

It confirmed an emphatic and thoroughly deserved victory for the Warriors, who extended their unbeaten start and underlined their superb opening to life in the Championship with a statement performance against last season’s League One champions.

Full-Time: Stenhousemuir 3-1 Inverness Caledonian Thistle

 

Match Preview

Match Preview written by Scott Gallacher

 

Stenhousemuir return to Ochilview Park on Saturday as they welcome Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the William Hill Championship, with kick-off at 3pm.

The Warriors enter the weekend at the top of the table following an impressive 2-0 victory over Queen’s Park at Lesser Hampden last Saturday.

After a goalless opening 45 minutes, substitutes Euan O’Reilly and Gregor Buchanan made the difference. O’Reilly opened the scoring with a perfectly weighted chip over Jack Wills before Buchanan converted at the back post to secure all three points.

That result moved Marvin Bartley’s side onto seven points from their opening three league matches, with two wins and one draw leaving the Warriors top on goal difference. Stenhousemuir have also recorded consecutive league clean sheets and have conceded just once in the Championship so far.

Inverness make the journey south after drawing 1-1 with Partick Thistle in the Highlands last Friday evening.

Seb Drozd gave the visitors the lead in the 17th minute, but Alfie Bavidge headed home an 89th-minute equaliser to secure a point for Caley Thistle.

The Highland side have drawn each of their opening three Championship fixtures, meaning both teams remain unbeaten in league action. Inverness currently sit seventh with three points, four behind the Warriors.

Saturday’s contest renews a closely fought rivalry following last season’s dramatic William Hill League One title race.

The two clubs battled for automatic promotion until the final day, when Inverness ultimately claimed the title by just two points. Stenhousemuir subsequently joined them in the Championship after coming through the play-offs.

The sides last met at Ochilview on 11 April in a crucial top-of-the-table encounter. Calum MacLeod opened the scoring for Inverness in the 16th minute before Matty Aitken converted an 81st-minute penalty to earn the Warriors a 1-1 draw.

With both teams yet to taste defeat in the Championship and plenty of familiarity between the sides, another competitive encounter awaits at Ochilview.