Stenhousemuir FC v Queen’s Park

Match Report

MATCH REPORT

Stenhousemuir v Queens Park at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 19.7.16

Betfred Cup Section E             Att 273

Stenhousemuir 0 Queens Park 2 [Burns 40, McVey 81]

Stenhousemuir – McCabe, McCormack, Summers, Kerr, Meechan, Berry, Stirling, Millar [Gilhaney 62], McMenamin [b45], Smith [Docherty 81] and Cook. Subs not used – Howarth, Hamilton, Docherty, Runciman, Nash, McCroary

Queens Park – Murphy, Millen, Gibson [b61], Cummin, McGeever, Brady [b86], Brown [McVey 73], Miller, Malone [MacPherson 77], Bradley [Galt 74] and Burns. Subs not used – Woods, Wharton, Watt and Williams

Referee – Craig Napier           Assistants – Joseph Lawson and Iain Snedden

The warmest day of the year was probably not the best environment to play the first competitive match of the 2016-17 season. Although it was an evening kick off the game was played in high humidity and thus was played at a lower tempo than would have been the case and at times looked more like another pre-season friendly than the Betfred Cup. Queens Park had the benefit of a game under their belts and it showed at times in a fairly uneventful match.

With it being the first competitive match of the season the Warriors gave debuts to Fraser Kerr who had been with Cowdenbeath, Vinnie Berry ex-Queens Park, Jack Smith ex-East Kilbride and Alan Docherty ex-Barshaw Amateurs. Queens gave a debut to Adam Cummin from Bangor.

For those like Docherty who was making his debut it would be a day to remember but for most it will not be game that will live long in the memory. The visitors were the more threatening in the early stages thought that was relatively speaking as there was nothing of note by the home side until the 23^rd minute when Jamie McCormack shot wide of the mark. Four minutes later a lovely cross by Alan Cook was just missed at the back post by Colin McMenamin.

There were few chances created until the 40^th minute when Queens captain Sean Burns caught Colin McCabe out with a stunning effort that went over the keeper from distance and into the net. That strike gave them a noticeable lift and they could have scored further goals either side of half time. Darren Miller saw a 22 yard strike pushed wide by McCabe just before the interval. The same player then shot wide from a free kick in the 54^th minute. The Warriors worked hard to get back into the game but rarely threatened. An Alan Cook free kick was saved without too much trouble by Andrew Murphy just after the hour. They will feel that they might have done better in the 68^th minute when McMenamin timed his run but headed a Mark Gilhaney cross wide from close range. . Queens extended their lead in 81 minutes with all three subs contributing. David Galt won the ball in midfield starting a swift counter attack that ended with Connor McVey firing home a Euan MacPherson cross. This was the 22 year olds first ever competitive goal in his 61^st match.  McVey then set up MacPherson but he blasted over with just the keeper to beat.

In  the 86^th minute Colin McMenamin beat the wall with a free kick but Murphy who had impressed throughout with his handling parried the effort clear and secured a victory for Queens Park their first of the season and also the first shut out of Murphy’s senior career.

All in all not a great performance and those that were hoping for a guide to the fortunes of the Warriors in the league this season will be hoping that this performance will not be a sign of things to come as it was a well below par display. The atmosphere at the end was one of quiet resignation rather than a vocal outburst but it was obvious who were the happier band of supporters at the end.