Stenhousemuir vs Kelty Hearts

Match Report

Match Report by Scott Gallacher, Communications Officer & Reporter

 

Stenhousemuir fought back to earn a 2-2 draw against Kelty Hearts at Ochilview in the William Hill League One.

It was a game of two halves, as Ricco Diack opened the scoring for the visitors, slotting past Darren Jamieson after a quick counter-attack from the Maroon Machine.

The second half saw Kelty double their lead when Ricco Diack struck a superb free-kick into the top corner, leaving Darren Jamieson with no chance.

However, the Warriors refused to let their heads drop. Matty Aitken pulled one back late on, before Scott McGill levelled just four minutes later with a stunning strike from outside the area.

Gary Naysmith made one change from last week’s draw against Queen of the South, with Euan O’Reilly replacing Zeke Cameron in the starting XI.

Kelty started brightly, forcing Darren Jamieson into a quick double save early on to keep the scores level.

At the other end, Stenny responded through Kinlay Bilham, whose header from a swinging corner drifted just wide of the post.

Ross Taylor was next to test Ryan Adamson with a free-kick that was comfortably held by the Kelty goalkeeper.

Euan O’Reilly continued to cause problems down the flank, delivering a dangerous ball into the box which was again gathered well by Ryan Adamson.

Darren Jamieson was called into action once more just after the half-hour mark, producing another strong save to deny the visitors.

Despite a positive spell of pressure from the Warriors, Kelty broke the deadlock on 38 minutes as Ricco Diack raced through on goal and found the back of the net to give Hearts the lead just before the break.

Half-Time: Stenhousemuir 0-1 Kelty Hearts

The Warriors came out with intent after the restart, as Euan O’Reilly’s cross found substitute Dale Carrick, whose header was saved by Ryan Adamson – though the flag was up for offside.

Ricco Diack remained a constant thorn in Stenny’s side and won a free-kick on the edge of the box midway through the half. He stepped up himself, curling a sweet effort over the wall and into the net to make it 2-0 on 71 minutes.

Darren Jamieson then produced another vital stop to prevent a third, standing tall in a one-on-one to keep Stenny in the contest.

With six minutes remaining, Aitken reduced the deficit, meeting a ball into the box and showing great composure under pressure from Craig Clay, getting a touch to make it 2-1.

Just four minutes later, Scott McGill struck the equaliser with a superb effort from the edge of the area. Ryan Adamson managed to get a hand to it, but couldn’t keep it out as it crashed off the bar and crossed the line.

The Warriors showed great character to battle back from two goals down, earning a deserved point in a hard-fought contest against a well-drilled Kelty Hearts side.

Full-Time: Stenhousemuir 2-2 Kelty Hearts

 

Stenhousemuir: Jamieson, Meechan, Buchanan (Cameron 83’), Graham, O’Reilly, Aitken, Gray (Carrick 83’), Taylor (Whyte 83’), Bilham, Anderson, McGill (Grant 91’)

Unused Subs: Gromov, Simpson, Ewen

 

Kelty Hearts: Adamson, Thomas, Ferguson, Arnott (Moore 60’), Johnston, Graham (O’Ware 92’), Clay, Diack (Teasdale 78’), McCarvel (Murray 60’), Wyllie, Brydon

Unused Subs: Gourlay, Snoddy, Leitch, Young

 

Bookings: Aitken 28’, Ferguson 45’, Gray 54’, Graham 70’, McCarvel 54’, Graham 63’

 

 

 

 

 

MATCH PREVIEW

Match Preview by Scott Gallacher, Communications Officer & Reporter

 

Stenhousemuir return home after three consecutive away matches to face Kelty Hearts at Ochilview in the William Hill League One, with kick-off at 3pm.

The Warriors head into the fixture on the back of a valuable and hard-fought point away to Queen of the South at Palmerston Park.

The Doonhamers took the lead in the 19th minute when Jack Stott fired past Darren Jamieson from close range.

However, Stenhousemuir continued to push and battle for a result, and their persistence was rewarded deep into stoppage time when Ross Taylor struck from close range to secure a deserved point for Gary Naysmith’s side.

That late equaliser leaves Stenhousemuir just one point behind league leaders Inverness Caledonian Thistle, and two points ahead of local rivals Alloa Athletic in third.

Kelty Hearts, meanwhile, come into the game following a 3-0 defeat to Alloa Athletic at the Indodrill Stadium.

The Wasps were two goals ahead by half-time through Luke Rankin and Calum Adamson, before David Devine added a third in the 62nd minute to seal all three points.

For the Maroon Machine, the result means they are now without a league win in five matches, with their last victory coming in September against Cove Rangers. They currently sit second bottom of the League One table.

The previous meeting between the sides came earlier this season at New Central Park, where an Euan O’Reilly penalty in the 28th minute proved decisive, sealing all three points for Stenhousemuir in a tightly contested encounter.

Looking ahead to the fixture, manager Gary Naysmith said: “We’re back at home. I had a quick look at Kelty’s team today, it looks like they’ve got a lot of their players back, and players playing in their natural positions. It’ll be a difficult game. It’ll be nice to be back home.

“We’ll pick a team, and as I say, we may look to freshen things up a little bit, but I’m comfortable with whoever we pick.

“Overall, it’s a good point against a good team, and another point away from home. We’ll dissect the game and then we’ll go and try get another three points against Kelty next week.”