Match Report

Match Report by Scott Gallacher

Stenhousemuir opened their competitive campaign with a deserved 2-0 victory over Forfar Athletic in the Premier Sports Cup at Ochilview Park.

Second-half goals from Lewis Hodgkiss and Matty Aitken secured all three points for the Warriors in their opening Group E fixture.

Marvin Bartley named Sam Young, Hodgkiss, Matthew Gillies and Callum Penman in his starting XI, with all four making their competitive debuts for the club.

Stenhousemuir started brightly and created their first opportunity after just two minutes. Euan O’Reilly delivered a free-kick into the Forfar penalty area which was helped on by Young before reaching Ross Meechan, but the captain’s header went wide.

Penman was next to threaten after making an excellent run down the right flank. The defender picked out Hodgkiss inside the area, whose initial effort was saved before the ball eventually ran behind for a goal kick.

The Warriors continued to push for the opener as Kinlay Bilham delivered a dangerous cross towards Young. The centre-back rose to meet it, but his header landed on the roof of the net.

Despite Stenhousemuir enjoying the better of the opening period, the teams went into the interval level.

Half-time: Stenhousemuir 0-0 Forfar Athletic

The Warriors returned for the second half on the front foot, with Aitken sending an early opportunity over the crossbar.

Finn Robson then delivered an inviting ball towards the striker, but the Forfar defence did enough to prevent Aitken from directing it towards goal.

Meechan came close to breaking the deadlock with an effort aimed towards the top-right corner, forcing the Forfar goalkeeper to tip the ball over the crossbar.

The breakthrough eventually arrived in the 66th minute. O’Reilly found Hodgkiss inside the penalty area and, although his initial effort was parried by the goalkeeper, the ball landed back at his feet and the midfielder made no mistake with the rebound to mark his competitive debut with a goal.

Stenhousemuir doubled their advantage just two minutes later. Forfar failed to clear their lines and the loose ball fell to Aitken at the back post, where the striker calmly slid it into the net to give the Warriors a quickfire second.

Bilham went close to extending the lead with an effort which travelled narrowly wide of the left post, before substitute Leyton Grant sent a powerful strike from outside the penalty area just wide in the closing stages.

The two goals in as many minutes proved enough as Stenhousemuir completed a dominant performance with a clean sheet and all three points.

Full-time: Stenhousemuir 2-0 Forfar Athletic

Match Preview

Match Preview by Scott Gallacher

Stenhousemuir begin their 2026/27 competitive campaign on Saturday afternoon as Marvin Bartley’s side welcome Forfar Athletic to Ochilview Park in the Premier Sports Cup, with kick-off at 3:00pm.

The Warriors will be looking to carry their impressive form into the opening fixture of the new season following a flawless pre-season campaign which culminated in lifting the Stirlingshire Cup.

Stenhousemuir opened preparations with a convincing 3-0 victory over Stirling Albion before recording back-to-back 2-0 wins against Dumbarton and Alloa Athletic.

Those three victories, along with three clean sheets, saw Stenhousemuir crowned Stirlingshire Cup champions for the 12th time in the club’s history. It was also the Warriors’ first success in the competition since the 2014/15 season, ending an 11-year wait to reclaim the trophy.

Saturday’s clash also provides the first opportunity for several of the club’s summer arrivals to make their competitive debuts in maroon, with Sam Young, Callum Penman, Lewis Hodgkiss, Matthew Gillies and Gus Stevenson all available to make their first official appearances for the Warriors.

Forfar Athletic arrive at Ochilview having completed a busy pre-season schedule of their own.

The Loons opened preparations with a 4-0 defeat to St Johnstone before earning a 2-2 draw away to Banks O’ Dee. They then fell to a 3-0 defeat against Peterhead, with a testimonial fixture for long-serving goalkeeper Marc McCallum against Montrose also forming part of their summer preparations.

The sides last met on 16 March 2024 at Station Park in Scottish League Two, with the match finishing 1-1. James Berry gave Stenhousemuir the lead before Adam Hutchinson equalised five minutes from time to earn the hosts a share of the points.