East Kilbride v Stenhousemuir FC

Match Report

East Kilbride v Stenhousemuir at K Park, East Kilbride on 5.12.15

William Hill Scottish Cup Third Round Replay       Att 448

East Kilbride 2 [J.Smith 5,101] Stenhousemuir 1 [McMenamin 31] 1-1 after 90 minutes

The Warriors were given a lifeline in the William Hill Scottish Cup the previous week thanks to a last minute goal but they failed to take advantage as they crashed out of the tournament in this replay. East Kilbride should have won the game at the first time of asking but they will have been happy to complete the task at a packed K Park.

In the first game the pace of Jack Smith was a telling factor and once again he caused the rearranged Stenhousemuir defence all sorts of problems throughout the game. The Warriors had made three changes to the starting eleven for this replay but it was to no avail. Jamie Barclay returned to goal whilst Ross Meechan moved to right back in place of Jamie McCormack whilst Euan Murray came into the heart of the defence. In midfield Jon Robertson replaced Stephen Stirling.

The game on the K Park astro would have been off if it had been a grass venue as there was flooding off the pitch but the playing surface itself was fine. With the stand full there were a number of brave souls who braved the elements of driving rain and gale force winds that made football difficult at times with neither team able to play their passing game for long periods of the game.

The home side took the lead in the 5^th minute of the game when Jack Smith outpaced the Stenhousemuir defence before stroking the ball past Jamie Barclay and into the net. That gave the home side growing belief although there was little in the way of goalscoring opportunities until the 31^st minute when Stenhousemuir equalised when a cross from the left flank by Jim Paterson picked out Colin McMenamin who headed home from close range. Jason Scotland then came close twice in two minutes the first with a long range free-kick that went just the wrong side of the post and then he was denied by Mathew McGinley after the ball had initially caught in the wind. East Kilbride though could have taken the lead a minute later following a breakaway that ended with Murray somehow denying Jack Smith with a clearance on the line after Barclay had saved a shot by McBride.

The second half started with the home side taking the early play and Jack Smith was unlucky to see a shot hit the side net after he cut in as the defence stood off him. Martin McBride had a strike that flew over and their best move involving Sean Winter, Jack Smith and Noble combine for the latter to shoot over once again.

Gradually though Stenhousemuir got to grips with the game and should have had a penalty when a Kilby defender clearly cut out a Paterson cross with his hand but no award was given. Six minutes later Alan Cook was sent off for a second booking after a mistimed tackle. After that that there was a flurry of cautions but no further goals so the game went to extra time. Stenhousemuir had another penalty claim turned down when McGinley fouled Scotland but once again no award was forthcoming though there was clearly contact as the keeper required treatment. In the 101^st  minute Jack Smith scored his second in almost identical fashion passing the ball into the net. A minute later sub Lewis Small’s effort was tipped round the post and shortly after that a Murray header struck the underside of the crossbar and came out. The Lowland League side held on for a deserved victory over the two games for their first win against an SPFL side.  

East Kilbride – McGinley, Lachlan, Coll [91], Howie [b70], Russell, Winter, Hastings, McBride, J.Smith [Gebbie 105], R.Smith and Brady [Gormley 103]. Subs not used – Morris, Templeton and Kean.

Stenhousemuir – Barclay, Meechan [b76], Paterson [b115], Malcolm, Murray[b89] [Mazana 105], J.Robertson, Gilhaney [Small 75], Millar [Marenghi 112], McMenamin, Scotland and Cook[b53] [so81]. Subs not used – McCormack, Monaghan, Stirling and Gould.

Referee – Kevin Graham               Assistants – John McCrossan and Jim Burns