Peterhead vs Stenhousemuir

Match Report

Match Report by Scott Gallacher, Communications Officer & Reporter

 

Stenhousemuir ran out 4-1 winners at Balmoor Stadium in William Hill League One, producing a blockbuster performance on the road.

Euan O’Reilly opened the scoring in the first half with a confidently taken penalty, sending Jack Newman the wrong way.

The second half saw Stenhousemuir play some of their best football of the season. Ross Taylor struck from 20 yards, before Euan O’Reilly added his second with a delicate chip over the Peterhead keeper. Ross Taylor then rounded off the scoring with his own second of the afternoon.

Peterhead pulled one back late on through Kieran Shanks, but it wasn’t enough to threaten a comeback and ultimately proved to be only a consolation.

Gary Naysmith made six changes from last week’s 2-0 win in the final KDM Evolution Trophy league-phase fixture against Dumbarton, with Darren Jamieson, Ross Meechan, Gregor Buchanan, Archie Graham, Euan O’Reilly and Dale Carrick all returning to the starting XI.

The hosts had the first opportunity of the match when a free-kick found captain Jason Brown inside the box, but his header drifted wide.

Stenny responded well. Ross Taylor drove down the flank and delivered a dangerous ball across goal, but no Warriors attacker could get the final touch.

The breakthrough came when Ross Taylor was brought down in the box by Jason Brown, leaving the referee with an easy decision.

Euan O’Reilly stepped up and calmly dispatched the penalty into the bottom-right corner with ten minutes played.

Just moments later, Dale Carrick came close to doubling the lead when he latched onto a pass inside the box and flashed a shot into the side netting.

Peterhead responded through Craig McGuffie, who forced Darren Jamieson into a solid save from close range.

Michael Anderson then produced a crucial block to preserve the advantage, before Jason Brown again threatened from a corner but headed wide of the target.

A rapid counter-attack saw Ross Taylor go close from a tight angle, his effort skimming past the far post.

Michael Anderson came close once more on the stroke of half-time, striking a rebounded free-kick just wide of the post.

Half-Time: Peterhead 0-1 Stenhousemuir

Stenhousemuir began the second half brightly, with some superb footwork and passing play resulting in two shots on target being blocked by the Peterhead defence.

Peterhead’s best chance of the game fell to Sebastian Ross, who broke onto a long ball over the top and volleyed towards goal, rattling the post.

A rapid-fire eight minutes would commence for The Warriors, with goals coming thick and fast.

Stenny doubled their lead in the 58th minute. Ross Taylor danced past two defenders before unleashing a brilliant 20-yard strike into the bottom corner.

Just four minutes later, Euan O’Reilly grabbed his second, and Stenhousemuir’s third, with a delightful chip over the advancing Newman.

Ross Taylor then completed his brace on 66 minutes, bursting through the Peterhead back line before calmly placing his finish into the net to make it 4-0.

Shanks pulled one back for the Blue Toon in the 77th minute, but it was nothing more than a late consolation as Stenhousemuir comfortably saw out the game.

Full-Time: Peterhead 1–4 Stenhousemuir

 

Peterhead: Newman, Duffy, Goldie (Mackie 80’), Jason Brown, McGuffie (Horn 75’), McCarthy, Shanks, Steele (Strachan 65’), Forrest (Jack Brown 75’), Ross (McGinn 75’), Barry

Unused Subs: Oluyemi, Jordon Brown, Pawlett

 

Stenhousemuir: Jamieson, Meechan, Simpson (Bilham 83’), Buchanan, Graham, O’Reilly, Gray, Taylor (Aitken 76’), Carrick (Cameron 76’), Anderson, Grant (Ewen 69’)

Unused Subs: McQuarrie

 

Bookings: Taylor 33’, Forrest 45’, Graham 61’ Gray 77’, McCarthy 78’ Jack Brown 81’,

 

 

Match Preview

Stenhousemuir make the long journey to Balmoor Stadium on Saturday afternoon as they take on Peterhead in SPFL League One action, with kick-off at 3pm.

This weekend’s fixture concludes a demanding run of away matches for the Warriors, who head north lifted by Wednesday night’s excellent 2–0 win over Dumbarton. A confident and disciplined display at The Marbill Coaches Stadium ensured Stenny bounced back in style, restoring momentum ahead of another important test on the road.

That midweek victory also provided the perfect response to last Saturday’s narrow 1–0 defeat to East Fife at a freezing Bayview—a match in which Stenhousemuir played well and created several strong opportunities but ultimately left empty-handed.

Wednesday’s win at Dumbarton demonstrated that the group has already learned from that setback, showing composure in both boxes and earning a deserved clean sheet. That result will give the squad a renewed sense of confidence heading into Balmoor. The Warriors will also take encouragement from their previous meeting with Peterhead this season, where a strong performance at Ochilview earned a 3–1 victory. Replicating that level of control and sharpness away from home will be the target on Saturday.

Peterhead enter the contest aiming to close the gap on the sides above them, and recent results at Balmoor suggest they will offer a stern test. With the league tightly packed, every point carries weight, and both teams will be fully aware of the significance of this encounter.

With confidence restored, momentum growing, and performances trending in the right direction, Stenhousemuir travel north aiming to put together back-to-back wins. A disciplined defensive display paired with the attacking threat shown in both Bayview and midweek could be enough to bring another valuable result back to Ochilview.