Stenhousemuir FC v Queen’s Park

Match Report

MATCH REPORT

Stenhousemuir v Queens Park at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 11.02.17

SPFL Ladbrokes League One              Att 423

Stenhousemuir 0 Queens Park 2 [Zanatta 32, Brady 90]

There were a couple of changes to the Stenhousemuir team with Kieran Millar and David Marsh both suspended. This meant starts for Stephen Stirling and Jamie McCormack coming in at right back with Ross Meechan moving to central defence. On the substitute bench was Graham Bowman listed as a trialist after Colin McCabe underwent an appendix removal earlier in the week after taking ill on the way to Brechin the previous week. Also on the bench were Liam McCroary and Grant Hamilton who were able to play after their loan club Kilsyth Rangers had their game postponed the previous day.

The early stages of the game saw chances at both ends with Stenhousemuir coming close to opening the scoring in the 7^th minute when Colin McMenamin’s effort from close range was brilliantly saved by Willie Muir.  That was as good as the game got though for the Warriors as rarely threatened after that.  Queens Park were also denied in the 14^th minute through top class goalkeeping from David Crawford who saved with his feet after clever footwork by Paul Woods created an opening.

In the 32^nd minute Queens Park took the lead after an interchange of passes opened up the home defence and on loan striker Dario Zanatta tucked a cross field shot past Crawford and into the net. With a strong Queens defence to the fore it was even at that stage looking an uphill task for the Warriors who had lacked penetration for most of the game despite the odd flash.

The closest that the home side came to equalising was a volley from Colin McMenamin after he latched on to a Fraser Kerr header but the effort went wide of the target. Things were summed up after the restart when an Alan Cook free kick was met by a Stenhousemuir attacker but his effort sailed not just over the bar but the terracing roof.

In the 56^th minute there was a clash of heads between Dominic Docherty and Cook and although Cook returned to the fray after being bandaged up Docherty’s game was over and he had to leave the pitch. Despite the change in personnel the visitors were still on top and Woods came close with a header. This was followed by a Queens set piece that caused all sorts of problems and it only took a brilliant interception by Stirling to alleviate the danger.

Stenhousemuir were given an opportunity when Ross Millen was sent off for two quick bookings, the first for timewasting and the second a mistimed tackle on Ciaran Summers.  Despite the man advantage Stenhousemuir struggled to create many openings against a compact defence who were well drilled in their duties.

The best chance fell to Ally Roy after a weighted pass was played behind the Spiders defence but Adam Cummins managed to make a vital tackle and the chance was gone.

As the game moved in to stoppage time the result was put beyond doubt when the visitors scored their second. Gavin Mitchell rode two tackles with a run from his own half before slipping the ball to Anton Brady who slotted home a goal that finished any hopes of a comeback.

Stenhousemuir – Crawford, McCormack, Summers [b80], Meechan [Smith 82], Kerr, Berry, Furtado, Stirling [Mazana 73], McMenamin, Shaw [Roy 67] and Cook. Subs not used – Duthie, Hamilton, McCroary and Bowman [t].

Queens Park – Muir, Millen [b69][so70], Waters, McKernon, Cummins, Woods [Mitchell 74], Docherty [Fotheringham 56], Zanatta [Orsi 78], Brady [88] and McIlduff. Subs not used – Galt, McVey, Burns and Brown.

Referee – Grant Irvine                       Assistants – Gordon Crawford and Derek Crothers