Stenhousemuir FC v Airdrieonians

Match Report

Stenhousemuir V Airdrieonians At Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 27.8.16

SPFL Ladbrokes League One                        Att 597

Stenhousemuir 2 [McMenamin 15, Kerr 87] Airdrie 2 [Russell  52 pen, Brown 65]

It was a case of mixed emotions after this game as there was a sense of relief as well as disappointment when the final whistle went. Going into the match the Warriors hadn’t picked up a point but they managed to secure a draw in the dying stages of a game that they would have felt that they could have won.

The Warriors saw Ciaran Summers come back into the starting eleven after injury and this meant that Ross Meechan moved back to his central defensive role with Grant Hamilton dropping to the bench. With the side setting up in a more conventional 4-4-2 formation Oli Shaw partnered Colin McMenamin up front.

Airdrie had the first half chance in the opening stages when a timely tackle by Meechan thwarted Adam Brown, However, the opening goal came at the other end and was a welcome one for Stenhousemuir when McMenamin powered a header from a Mark Gilhaney cross past Rohan Ferguson.  Daniel Boateng will have felt that he should have done better in trying to intercept the cross and he almost made amends at the other end with a header that was deflected just wide. Stenhousemuir were on top and a Jamie McCormack cross was met by McMenamin once again but this time he couldn’t direct his header past the keeper. This was followed shortly afterwards by an Alan Cook drive that went just wide. There was controversy in the 33^rd minute when the home side looked as if they had scored their second when Shaw tucked the ball home after a run from deep but the assistant referee incorrectly flagged for offiside.  Frustrations took hold and Gilhaney was cautioned for a tackle and Brown was lucky to only be booked for his reactions.

The half time whistle blew with no further scoring. In the second Airdrie were able to make the most of their lifeline. They were awarded a penalty when Meechan tripped Andy Ryan as he looked to be running the ball out of play. Iain Russell converted the spot kick. There was a chance for Stenhousemuir when a simple ball over the top was met by Shaw but Ferguson had a comfortable save.  In the 65^th minute Airdrie took the lead. Stenhousemuir  struggled to clear their lines and a Cook miss kick went straight to Conor Scullion who picked out Russell at the back, his header hit the post and Brown was the first to react to fire home.  Just after this David Irons was sent to the stand for a reaction to comments made towards him. Stenhousemuir were struggling at this stage and could have quite easily crumbled. Airdrie though were not able to take advantage of this wobble before the Warriors gradually began to regain some composure.

Brown Ferguson run the changes to try and get another goal and the danger signs were there for Airdrie as they struggled at set plays and eventually in the 87^th minute the Warriors got their reward when Fraser Kerr headed home a Cook corner.

That was not the end of the drama though Kerr picked up two bookings in stoppage time. This left a man short to defend a set piece but justice was upheld when Russell headed over the bar from close range. Thus the spoils were shared and although Brown Ferguson will have been unhappy at certain elements of the day he will have been happy with the spirit shown to come back into the game

Stenhousemuir – McCabe, McCormack [b35], Summers [b49], Meechan, Kerr [b90][so90], Millar[b58] [Sinclair 78], Gilhaney[b40] [Smith 81], Stirling, McMenamin [Roy 75], Shaw and Cook. Subs not used – Hamilton, McCroary, Robertson and McMaster.

Airdrieonians – Ferguson, Stewart, Boateng, Fitzpatrick [b90], MacDonald, Conroy, Brown [b40], McIntosh, Ryan, Scullion [Loudon 85] and Russell [b66]. Subs not used – Kerr, Higgins, Truesdale, McLaughlin, Daly and Gorman

Referee – Gavin Ross      Assistants – Andrew McWilliam and Alan Grainger