Match Report

Match Report by Scott Gallacher

 

Stenhousemuir ran out 2-0 winners against Montrose at Links Park in the final game of the regular William Hill League One season.

Mikey Anderson put the Warriors 1-0 up just before the break before Olly Whyte grabbed the second of the afternoon after Montrose failed to clear their lines properly.

Unfortunately, despite the Warriors doing all they could, the William Hill League One title would go elsewhere, as Inverness Caledonian Thistle secured top spot with victory over Hamilton Academical.

Gary Naysmith made two changes to the side that faced Alloa Athletic, with Ross Meechan coming into the starting XI in place of Nicky Jamieson, while Scott McGill replaced Olly Whyte in the line-up.

Stenhousemuir were first to threaten on the afternoon as Euan O’Reilly saw an early effort deflected away from danger.

Moments later, O’Reilly had another attempt at goal, this time dragging his shot wide of the target.

It was a strong opening period for the Warriors as Matty Aitken took aim shortly afterwards, but his effort was again deflected away.

Taylor Sutherland had the first chance for the hosts as Darren Jamieson denied the forward from distance.

Graham Webster then received the ball well and had another attempt for Montrose, but his effort sailed over the target.

Ross Taylor, continuing his rich vein of form, attempted an overhead kick, but his effort drifted wide.

Webster took aim for a second time from outside the Stenhousemuir box, but once again Darren Jamieson was equal to it.

Ewan Loudon then got a shot away for the Gable Endies, although it was comfortably dealt with by Jamieson.

Straight from the counter-attack, Ross Taylor cut inside and fired towards goal, but Cameron Gill produced a strong save.

Mikey Anderson eventually broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute as the ball broke kindly for him inside the area, with the midfielder thumping his effort into the roof of the net.

Just before the whistle sounded for the break, Ross Meechan found Ross Taylor with a well-weighted ball to the back post, but the forward’s effort sailed over the bar.

Half-Time: Montrose 0-1 Stenhousemuir

Early in the second half, Euan O’Reilly again threatened the hosts with an effort on goal, before Ross Meechan struck from distance moments later, although his shot sailed over the bar.

The Warriors’ second goal arrived in the 58th minute through Olly Whyte. The midfielder burst through the Montrose defence before slipping the ball to Zeke Cameron, whose effort was blocked on the line.

Whyte reacted quickest and, after seeing his first attempt also cleared off the line, found the net at the second time of asking.

On his birthday, Euan O’Reilly was enjoying a standout performance and came close to getting a deserved goal of his own, but Cameron Gill was on hand to deny him once again.

Ross Meechan, also impressing throughout, then struck from distance, stinging the palms of Gill as Montrose were prevented from conceding a third.

Montrose’s first real chance of the second half came through Lewis Gibson, whose strike flew wide of the Warriors’ goal.

The final chance of the match fell to Dale Carrick, who attempted Stenhousemuir’s second overhead kick of the afternoon, but agonisingly saw his effort drift wide of the target.

Despite the Warriors holding up their end of the bargain, Inverness’ victory over Hamilton Academical brought the title race to a dramatic conclusion, with the cup  heading elsewhere.

For Stenhousemuir, attention now turns to the William Hill Championship Play-Off Semi-Finals against Queen of the South, with the first leg due to take place on Tuesday 5 May.

Full-Time: Montrose 0-2 Stenhousemuir

 

Match Preview

Match Preview by Scott Gallacher

 

Stenhousemuir travel to Links Park on the final day of the William Hill League One season, with the title race set to be decided over the course of the afternoon.

Gary Naysmith’s side face Montrose away from home with a 3pm kick-off, sitting two points behind league leaders Inverness Caledonian Thistle with just one game remaining.

The equation for the Warriors this weekend is clear: secure all three points and hope for results elsewhere to go in their favour.

Stenhousemuir come into the fixture on the back of a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Alloa Athletic at Ochilview Park.

In a tightly contested local derby, substitute Dale Carrick proved to be the difference, reacting quickest inside the box to fire home from close range in the 65th minute.

The result ensured that the title race would go right down to the final day and maintained the pressure on Inverness at the summit.

Montrose, meanwhile, were involved in an entertaining 2-2 draw away to Queen of the South at Palmerston Park.

The Gable Endies made a strong start and took control of the contest through first-half goals from Ewan Loudon and Taylor Sutherland.

However, they were unable to see the game out, as strikes from Brennan Dickenson and Benjamin Luissint completed a comeback for the hosts and forced Montrose to settle for a point.

The last time the two sides met was in February at Ochilview, when they played out a 2-2 draw.

An own goal from Andrew Steeves gave Stenhousemuir the lead at the break, but Callum Sandilands levelled early in the second half.

Finlay Gray restored the Warriors’ advantage, only for Sandilands to strike again and earn a share of the points.

Montrose will be keen to finish their season on a positive note in front of their home support at Links Park, providing a stern test for the visitors.

At the top of the table, Inverness Caledonian Thistle hold the advantage on 66 points, compared to Stenhousemuir’s 64.

A win for Inverness against Hamilton Academical would guarantee them the title, while even a draw would almost certainly be enough due to their significantly superior goal difference.

For Stenhousemuir, the most straightforward route to the title is to win at Montrose and hope Inverness are defeated by Hamilton Academical.

Should Inverness draw, the sides would finish level on points, but overturning a 14-goal deficit in goal difference would require an unlikely swing in results.

The focus for the Warriors, however, will remain solely on their own performance, with a victory at Links Park essential to give themselves any chance of lifting the title, with anything less bringing the title challenge to an end.