Stenhousemuir FC v Brechin City

Match Report

Stenhousemuir v Brechin City at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 18.8.12

Irn Bru Scottish League Division Two       Att 522

Stenhousemuir 3 [Gemmell 21,71,90] Brechin City 1 [Jackson 57]

The last competitive game at Ochilview had been in the League Cup also against Brechin Cty and although that was a comfortable victory it was expected that this would be a far harder affair.

Stenhousemuir fielded the same starting eleven from the Annan match and the players started the game full of promise as they took the game to the visitors. There was no repeat of the 20 second opener in the last meeting by John Gemmell instead he had to wait to the 21^st minute to open his account. He started the move with a pass out to Sean Dickson who ran down the left channel before whipping in a cross that Gemmell stopped to head home with the only danger being that Darren Smith looked to be going for the same ball but there was no stopping Gemmell.  This was no less than the Warriors merited as they dominated the early stages though they did not have too many clear chances.

Brechin did as expected come into the game but in the first half any time that they had an opportunity it was swiftly extinguished by either Scot Buist or Ross McMillan in the central defence. McMillan coming to the rescue to deny Andy Jackson in the 45^th minute.

Although the Warriors went in at half time only one goal up it had been fairly comfortable and they were looking to build on that in the second period. Brechin’s Jim Weir however had other ideas and brought on David McKenna to freshen up the Brechin attack. Two minutes into the second half a 30yard free kick by Gemmell flew just past the woodwork with goalkeeper Michael Andrews stranded.

After that action though the play was mainly at the other end of the pitch with Stenhousemuir struggling to emulate their first half performance as Brechin stepped up their game. City equalised through Jackson in the 57^th minute and although his effort took a possible deflection it was a merited strike by the Brechin striker. There was almost a second for Brechin seconds later following a goalmouth scramble that eventually ended with Callum Reidford saving an overhead kick.

Stenhousemuir were now losing the midfield battle and Iain Thomson was brought on to stabilise the situation replacing Andy Rodgers who has not yet settled this season after last year’s exploits.   The Warrior’s eventually got their passing game going and after the best move of the half they almost took the lead once again when Gemmell headed a Darren Smith cross off the bar. The game was becoming more open and it was Brechin’s turn to hit the woodwork two minutes later when David McKenna struck the bar from 14 yards out.

Eventually the Warrior’s took the lead once again with a Gemmell rocket of a free kick that Andrew’s was unable to stop from flying in to the net. It was one of the most powerful strikes seen at Ochilview and was certainly not in the subtle category. Brechin to their credit did not let that setback affect them and McKenna struck the post. At the other end Gemmell saw another free kick go just the wrong side of the post hitting the side netting. Ex-Warrior Craig Molloy was unlucky to see an effort deflected out for a corner as the Warrior’s held on to a precarious lead. They should have put the game beyond doubt with a breakaway in the 85^th minute but the attack featuring Stewart Kean and Smith floundered when Smith strayed offside when the Warriors held the numerical advantage.      

With the game in added time John Gemmell had another chance to show his free kick expertise and he did not let anyone down with a blistering effort that gave Andrews no chance. This hat trick was one of the best at Ochilview for many a year and free kicks reminded the older supporters of those taken by Warriors legend Rab Quinn in the 1960s.

Stenhousemuir – Reidford, Ross, Dickson, Buist, McMillan, Hodge, C.Anderson [Buist 90], Rodgers [Thomson 61], Gemmell [b71], Kean [Love 90] and Smith. Subs not used – Lawson and Shaw.

Brechin City – Andrews, McLean [b70], Brown, McLauchlan [b38], Moyes [b86], Brady, J.Stewart [R.Stewart 87], Molloy, Jackson, Dalziel and Fusco [McKenna h/t]. Subs not used – Murdoch and Nelson

Referee – Euan Anderson            Assistants – Stuart MacAulay and Graeme McNellie