Match Report

Match Report written by Scott Gallacher

 

Stenhousemuir continued their outstanding start to life in the William Hill Championship with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Livingston at the Home of the Set Fare Arena, as Andrew Shinnie’s first-half strike against his former club proved enough to secure all three points.

Shinnie struck after 14 minutes following excellent work from Mikey Anderson, before the Warriors produced a disciplined defensive display to protect their advantage.

The victory, played out in front of the BBC Scotland cameras, moved Marvin Bartley’s side five points clear at the top of the Championship after five matches and extended their unbeaten competitive start to the season.

Marvin Bartley made two changes from the side which defeated Inverness Caledonian Thistle 3-1 at Ochilview six days earlier. Lewis Hodgkiss and Andrew Shinnie came into the starting XI, replacing Gus Stevenson and Dale Carrick.

Livingston started brightly and looked to exploit the space behind the Warriors defence. Seven minutes in, a long ball over the top released Bradly van Hoeven, but Jamieson read the danger well and raced outside his penalty area to clear before the Livingston attacker could capitalise.

The Stenny goalkeeper was required again moments later when Bruce Anderson met a delivery inside the box. His header was directed towards the centre of goal, allowing Jamieson to get down and gather comfortably.

The hosts maintained the early pressure and created another opportunity shortly afterwards. Anderson found Cammy Palmer in space inside the Stenhousemuir penalty area, but Palmer failed to make clean contact with his first-time effort and dragged the ball wide of the target.

Despite Livingston enjoying the stronger opening, it was Stenhousemuir who broke the deadlock in the 14th minute.

The Warriors won possession high up the pitch before Mikey Anderson picked out Shinnie inside the penalty area. The former Livingston midfielder showed all of his experience and composure, taking the opportunity in his stride before calmly slotting a left-footed finish beyond Jérôme Prior and into the bottom corner.

Livingston immediately looked for a response and Robbie Muirhead was next to try his luck. The forward found enough space outside the box to get a shot away, but his effort sailed high and wide of Jamieson’s goal.

The home side continued to see plenty of the ball as the half progressed and had a series of promising situations without being able to produce the decisive final touch. Bruce Anderson came closest when he rose to meet a delivery from the right-hand side, but his header flashed narrowly wide of the post.

The contest became increasingly physical towards the end of the half. Emmanuel Danso was shown the first yellow card of the evening after bringing down Mikey Anderson in the 38th minute, before Sam Culbert followed him into the referee’s notebook four minutes later after another foul on the Stenhousemuir midfielder.

Sam Young then picked up Stenny’s first booking of the match shortly before the interval, but the Warriors successfully negotiated the remaining moments of the opening period to head into the dressing room with their advantage intact.

Half-time: Livingston 0-1 Stenhousemuir

Stenhousemuir started the second half on the front foot and almost doubled their lead within three minutes of the restart.

Finn Robson was released into the Livingston penalty area and drove an effort towards goal, forcing Prior to make a strong save to prevent the Warriors from establishing some breathing room.

Livingston responded with arguably their best opportunity of the evening.

Muirhead sent a clever ball over the Stenhousemuir defence for Bruce Anderson, who worked himself into a shooting position before firing towards goal. Jamieson was beaten, but Scott Bright had tracked the danger superbly and produced a brilliant goal-line block to preserve the Warriors’ advantage.

The hosts continued to apply pressure and Bradly van Hoeven was next to test Jamieson. Cutting onto his left foot outside the penalty area, the Dutchman sent a curling effort towards goal which the Stenny goalkeeper did well to turn over his crossbar.

Bartley began to freshen up his side after the hour mark, with Euan O’Reilly and Gus Stevenson replacing Lewis Hodgkiss and Lewis O’Donnell respectively as Stenhousemuir looked to maintain their intensity.

Livingston very nearly found an equaliser in spectacular circumstances midway through the half. Substitute Tyrese Sinclair collected possession and spotted Jamieson away from his goal. He attempted an audacious effort from more than 40 yards which had the goalkeeper scrambling back towards his line, but the ball dropped narrowly wide.

As the game entered its final quarter, the Warriors continued to stand firm. Oscar MacIntyre and Matty Gillies were introduced in place of Robson and Kinlay Bilham as Bartley added fresh legs for the closing stages.

At the other end, Stenhousemuir nearly killed the contest when Shinnie was found inside the Livingston penalty area in the 81st minute. The goalscorer looked set to double his tally, but his right-footed effort was blocked before it could trouble Prior.

Shinnie’s night was over shortly afterwards, with Hamzad Kargbo coming on to make his Warriors debut.

Livingston had one final major opportunity five minutes from time. Bruce Anderson rose inside the penalty area and directed a header towards goal, but Jamieson was once again equal to it, making the save and ensuring the Warriors remained in front.

Stenhousemuir successfully managed the closing stages and, after three minutes of stoppage time, the referee brought proceedings to an end.

Full-time: Livingston 0-1 Stenhousemuir

 

Match Preview

Match Preview written by Scott Gallacher

 

The Warriors make the short journey to West Lothian on Friday evening to face Livingston under the lights at the Home of the Set Fare Arena.

Kick-off is at 7.30pm, with the William Hill Championship fixture being broadcast live on BBC Scotland.

Stenhousemuir travel as the early league leaders, having collected 10 points from their opening four matches. Marvin Bartley’s side have scored eight goals and conceded just twice during an unbeaten start to life in the Championship.

The Warriors are also yet to taste defeat in nine SPFL fixtures across all competitions this season and head into Friday’s encounter on a run of four consecutive victories.

Stenhousemuir strengthened their position at the top of the table with an impressive 3-1 victory over last season’s League One title rivals, Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

The Warriors began brightly and made their pressure count in the 23rd minute. Dale Carrick threaded the ball through to Lewis O’Donnell, who finished superbly from a tight angle to register his first goal for the club.

O’Donnell doubled both his and Stenhousemuir’s tally five minutes after the restart. Ross Meechan’s long throw was only partially cleared by the Inverness defence, allowing the midfielder to meet the loose ball with a thunderous volley.

The visitors reduced the deficit just two minutes later when Ryan Duncan’s delivery found Liam Sole at the back post, with the substitute converting from close range.

Stenhousemuir responded almost immediately and restored their two-goal advantage in the 57th minute. O’Donnell turned provider on this occasion, delivering for Sam Young to head home his first goal in maroon.

It completed an outstanding afternoon for O’Donnell, who was involved in all three Warriors goals.

Livingston returned to the William Hill Championship this season following their relegation from the William Hill Premiership and are now led by former Republic of Ireland international Glenn Whelan.

The Lions have experienced a contrasting start depending on the venue. They have won both of their home league matches by 2-0 scorelines, defeating Queen’s Park and Dunfermline Athletic, while both of their away fixtures have ended in defeat without a goal scored.

Those results leave Livingston fifth in the early standings with six points, four behind the Warriors.

Whelan’s side come into Friday’s fixture following a 1-0 defeat away to Arbroath. The match was a feisty encounter, with Livingston’s Cameron MacPherson dismissed shortly before half-time and Arbroath’s Scott Constable also shown a red card late in the game.

Gavin Reilly scored the only goal shortly after the restart, following up to convert after his initial penalty had been saved by Livingston goalkeeper Jérôme Prior.

Friday’s fixture carries additional significance for the Stenhousemuir management team, with Marvin Bartley and Neil Hastings returning to the Home of the Set Fare Arena in opposition for the first time.

The pair departed Livingston in May before being appointed as Stenhousemuir’s new management team the following month.

The two sides have already met once this season, playing out a goalless draw at Ochilview in Group E of the Premier Sports Cup on Saturday 25 July.

Neither team could find a breakthrough during the 90 minutes, but the Warriors secured the bonus point with a 3-1 penalty shootout victory, booking their place in the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup.