Match Report

Match Report by Scott Gallacher

Stenhousemuir made it two wins from two in the Premier Sports Cup as the Warriors ran out 2-1 winners at Glebe Park.

A first-half goal from Mikey Anderson was cancelled out by Dale Hilson’s strike, but  Dale Carrick’s strike from the edge of the box secured a 2-1 victory.

Marvin Bartley made three changes to the side that started against Forfar Athletic, with Scott Bright, Dale Carrick and Mikey Anderson replacing Leyton Grant, Euan O’Reilly and Matty Aitken.

The Warriors made the perfect start and opened the scoring after nine minutes. Carrick brought the ball under control on the edge of the penalty area before laying it into the path of Anderson, who curled a superb finish into the top-left corner of the net.

Anderson was inches away from connecting with another inviting delivery shortly afterwards, but the Brechin defence reacted first to clear the danger.

The hosts then threatened on the counter-attack, forcing Darren Jamieson into an excellent close-range save before Callum Penman reacted quickly to clear the loose ball.

Stenhousemuir continued to create opportunities, with Matthew Gillies delivering a dangerous cross that almost caught Kyle Gourlay out. The ball drifted over the Brechin goalkeeper but landed on the roof of the net.

Kinlay Bilham was next to threaten when he sent an inviting ball across the face of goal, but nobody was able to apply the finishing touch.

Carrick was then picked out inside the penalty area, although he was unable to generate enough power on his header to trouble Gourlay. The offside flag was raised in any case.

Brechin drew level in the 44th minute when Dale Hilson found the net, but the Warriors responded almost immediately.

Straight from the restart, Stenhousemuir worked the ball back into the Brechin danger area. Carrick took aim from the edge of the box and curled a magnificent finish into the top corner, almost a carbon copy of Anderson’s opening goal.

Half-Time: Brechin City 1-2 Stenhousemuir

The second half proved to be a quieter affair, with the first meaningful opportunity arriving in the 73rd minute. Substitute Matty Aitken almost made an instant impact, rising well to meet a cross and forcing Gourlay into a smart save with a well-placed header.

Moments later, Trialist tried his luck from distance, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.

Hilson then came close to claiming his second of the afternoon, unleashing a powerful strike that Jamieson did well to parry away.

Aitken threatened again when he rose to meet another cross into the penalty area, but his header drifted narrowly over the crossbar.

Brechin had one final opportunity through Greig Young, whose curling effort was met by another fine save from Jamieson.

That proved to be the final action of note as Stenhousemuir held on to secure a 2-1 victory and maintain their perfect start to the Premier Sports Cup campaign.

Full-Time: Brechin City 1-2 Stenhousemuir

Match Preview

Match Preview by Scott Gallacher

Stenhousemuir travel to Glebe Park on Saturday afternoon to face Brechin City in their second Premier Sports Cup Group E fixture, with kick-off at 3pm.

The Warriors head to Angus looking to build on last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Forfar Athletic, which got Marvin Bartley’s side off to a winning start in the competition.

Following a goalless first half at Ochilview, Lewis Hodgkiss opened the scoring in the 66th minute, marking his first competitive start for the club with a goal. Matty Aitken doubled the advantage just two minutes later to secure all three points for Stenhousemuir.

Brechin have experienced a more difficult start to their group-stage campaign and remain without a point after two matches. City opened with a 6-0 defeat away to Partick Thistle before losing 2-0 at home to Livingston on Tuesday evening, with first-half goals from Tyrese Sinclair and Robbie Muirhead earning victory for the Lions.

The Lowland League East side enter the 2026/27 season following a campaign of near misses in the Highland League. Brechin took the title race to the final day but ultimately finished one point behind champions Brora Rangers, with defeats against Fraserburgh, Brora and Turriff United during the closing weeks proving costly.

The clubs last met at Glebe Park on 4 May 2021 during the post-split section of the 2020/21 cinch Scottish League Two campaign. Mark McGuigan scored the only goal of the game in the 80th minute to secure a 1-0 victory for the Warriors.

The official supporters’ bus will leave Ochilview Park at 11:30am on Saturday, with seats priced at £20 for adults and £10 for concessions. Supporters wishing to reserve a seat should contact Andy McPhate directly.