Peterhead v Stenhousemuir FC

Match Report

Peterhead v Stenhousemuir at Balmoor Stadium, Peterhead on 31.1.15

SPFL Division One                            Att 454

Peterhead 2 [Kerr 32, Dzierzawski 58] Stenhousemuir 0

The Warriors made a couple of changes for this game from the previous week one enforced and one tactical. Ross McMillan was unable to travel so his place was taken by Ross Meechan and Josh Watt dropped to the bench with Kris Faulds coming back into the starting eleven. Jamie McCormack started for the first time as a signed player after two games as a trialist. Dean Shaw travelled as reserve goalkeeper being recalled on a temporary transfer from Camelon Juniors as Chris Smith was also unable to travel

The game started in dreadful conditions with the early stages being played down the far side of the pitch due to the wind that was whipping diagonally across the pitch making it very frustrating and unpleasant for the players. The Warriors were battling the elements in the first half and although they in the early stages tried a passing game they usually failed to create any clear openings though it wasn’t for the want of trying. Once Peterhead had bedded down though they were the greater threat and with Nicky Riley on his debut and David Cox doubling up on their left side of the pitch they started to cause problems though the end product was usually a shot from distance.

It wasn’t until the 32^nd minute though before the Blue Toon had an effort on target and it resulted in a goal. It was a real comedy of errors from both sides after Stenhousemuir failed to cut out a run on the left flank by Jamie Redman before the ball was played into the middle for Rory McAllister, the striker who is usually so deadly miscued but the ball landed at his feet and he had presence of mind to pass wide to Cammy Kerr as he was closed down, Kerr then had his own miskick before tucking the ball into the net past three defenders and the keeper. Two minutes later the home side should have extended their lead when they were awarded a penalty after Jamie Stevenson was downed in the box by McCormack. McAllister took the spot kick and kept it low but was denied by a fine save by Greg Fleming. The keeper was once again the hero later in the first half doing well to tip over a Cox cross cum shot that had caught in the wind.

The Warriors would have been happy to go in to half time only a goal in arrears and were hoping to make full use of the conditions in the second period. Before that took place the Warriors support had to be moved from their section of the stand for health and safety reasons after the wind had caused a couple of slats to crash to the ground.

After the second half performance they would have been wishing that it had been abandoned as Peterhead controlled most of the proceedings and were allowed to do so. Peterhead were able to use McAllister to good effect and he held the ball up well for his colleagues whilst at the other end Colin McMenamin had no chance to get on the end of the ball as it was hit with far higher velocity than needed and there was little cohesive play on show.

Peterhead showed how it should be done and in the 48^th minute Fleming once again kept Stenhousemuir in the game this time denying Riley with another great save. Tempers became heated in the 53^rd minute when McAllister and McCormack became involved in an altercation with both being booked by the referee.

McAllister was to have  the last laugh though as he set up the second and decisive goal in the 58^th minute with a quick one two with Randy Kevin Dzierzawski and the American on loan from Queen of the South tucked the ball into the net.

Stenhousemuir had a couple of efforts wide before their first effort on target through an Alan Lithgow shot from 50 yards in the 68^th minute that Graeme Smith fumbled. McMenamin had the best attacking move in the 84^th minute with a turn and shot that was pushed out for a corner and although there was a couple of other efforts before the end with Bryan Hodge firing wide then a Martin Grehan strike that was saved but it was far too comfortable for the home team.  This was Stenhousemuir’s 14^th league defeat this season the joint worst in the division and was the last one with Scott Booth in charge who was dismissed the following day.

Peterhead –G. Smith, Kerr, Noble, Strachan, Donaldson [b90], Dzierzawski, Cox [McLaren 89], Redman, McAllister [b53][Rodgers 80], Stevenson and Riley [Brown 65]. Subs not used – Smith and Jarvie

Stenhousemuir – Fleming, McCormack [b53], Meechan, Lithgow, Summers, K.Millar, Faulds [Eddington 78], Hodge, McMenamin, McMullan and Sutherland [Grehan 61] Subs not used – Duncan, Fotheringham, Watt and Shaw.

Referee – Nick Walsh      Assistants – Stuart Hodge and Scott Love.