Kelty Hearts vs Stenhousemuir

Match Report

TEAM NEWS

The Warriors have been rocked by a few absentees with Nat Wedderburn and Tam Orr both sidelined through COVID.

Long term injured player Graeme Smith, Jon Craig and Robert Thomson are also out, while Ryan Tierney has had a family bereavement and may miss out. Everyone at the club are sending their wishes to Ryan and his family at this time.

On a positive note, both Ross Forbes and Declan Hughes have recovered from minor injuries and both make the starting lineup along with Mikey Anderson. Euan O’Reilly is moved up front and will the line against Kelty Hearts.

STARTING XI 

20. David Wilson,   2. Ross Lyon,   24. Michael Miller,   5. Sean Crighton [c],   24. Nicky Jamieson,   7. Ross Forbes,   8. Declan Hughes,   17. Michael Anderson,   11. Adam Brown,   14. Darren Christie,   16. Euan O’Reilly

SUBS

18. Beejay Coll,   19. Cammy Graham,   15. Adam Corbett,   4. Jordan Tapping,   12. James Lyon,   1. Ryan Marshall

PREVIEW

This Saturday the Warriors are away from home as they travel up to Fife to take on Kelty hearts at New Central Park.

It may be first versus fifth in the table, however it’s a contest between the two most in form teams in the division. It’s absolutely mouth-watering.

Kelty have won 4 of their last 5 and will be full of confidence given the fact they defeated the Warriors 4-1 back in August. The Warriors have won 5 on the bounce and to keep that run going they will have to do what no League 2 side has done so far this seasons and that’s beat Kelty.

A win for the Warriors could see them rise to 4^th or even as high as 3^rd, if other results go our way. Three points would also put some breathing space between us and Edinburgh City. Kelty on the other hand will be looking to preserve or extend their 10 point lead in the table by securing maximum points.

It’s a huge game for the Warriors and they need our support! So if you can, get yourself up to Kelty for this one. It’s not to be missed!

MANAGER’S PRE-MATCH COMMENTS

Stephen, coming on the back of 5 straight wins and 6 undefeated, we’ve got a chance to go 7 undefeated against Kelty Hearts, but I feel on our form and the way the boys are playing, we’ve got a really good chance to go and get a result

Yea, obviously we played them near the start of the season and they ran out convincing winners although I thought, on that day, we made terrible mistakes that obviously helped them. In regards to the run that we’re on at the moment, it’s been great and it’s gave the players some confidence, belief and it’s brought the squad together. Like you say, there’s no reason why we can’t go there with a game plan, play with confidence and believe that we can win.

The back four has been very consistent over the last few weeks which ties into our winning ways. How important is keeping a consistent backline for you?

It’s the 1 area that I’m reluctant to tinker with because I could easily shift a few things about, but when you’ve went 6 unbeaten with the same back four, it’s an unwritten rule not to touch it. So it’s one that we’re trying not to upset at the moment.

And going on to Kelty Hearts, we know we’ve seen them at Ochilview and you’ve had them watched since. What do you expect from them?

I think they’re a team that like to dominate the play. They’ve got a few really top quality players. Michael Tidser really makes them tick. Joe Cardle and Higginbottom come off into areas where defenders don’t want to go. And obviously Nathan Austin and Alfredo Ageyman up the top end of the pitch have been getting a lot of goals and, quite rightly, recognition. So they’ve got players that can hurt you, that’s one thing, but also they’ve got centre backs that can go and defend and be dominant as well. They’re the real package and Kevin Thomson’s come in and done a very good job with his recruitment, quickly got his philosophies through to his players and basically had an unbelievable start. But that’s all it’s been really, we’re not even half way through the season so we believe that if we can go there and get a win, it puts us in a good position from where we’ve been, but we’re going to have to work hard for it.

How’s the squad looking ahead of Saturday’s game?

Big Thomo is looking like he’ll be out for another month and Buzz and Jon Craig are still long term. We’re hoping that Dec and Forbsey can make it having picked up injuries in the last few weeks.