Match Report

Match Report by Scott Gallacher

 

Darren Jamieson produced an inspired goalkeeping display as Stenhousemuir defeated Livingston 3–1 on penalties following a goalless draw at Ochilview to secure their place in the last 16 of the Premier Sports Cup.

The Warriors goalkeeper saved a Robbie Muirhead penalty during the second half before denying three Livingston players in a remarkable shootout, which Scott Bright settled by converting the decisive spot-kick.

Marvin Bartley made one change to the starting XI that faced Partick Thistle in the previous match, with Lewis O’Donnell replacing Euan O’Reilly.

Livingston threatened first when an early corner was met by one of the visitors’ attackers, but the resulting header was cleared away from danger.

Jamieson was called into action two minutes later after his clearance was intercepted. Livingston attempted to catch the goalkeeper off his line, but he recovered quickly to save the effort.

Tyrese Sinclair then fired over from close range before Stenhousemuir created their first clear opening of the afternoon. Lewis Hodgkiss tried his luck from outside the box, forcing Jérôme Prior into a diving save.

The visitors looked to break immediately afterwards, but Scott Bright read the danger well and produced an intelligent piece of defending to halt the counter-attack.

There was a pause in play in the 27th minute as Mikey Anderson received treatment on the pitch. He was unable to continue and was replaced by Finn Robson a minute later.

Livingston went within inches of taking the lead around the half hour mark. Graham Carey stepped up to take a free-kick from the edge of the box and beat the wall, only to see his effort crash back off the post.

Dale Carrick’s clever lay-off released Hodgkiss behind the Lions’ defence, but the offside flag brought the promising attack to an end.

Muirhead sent an effort wide from a tight just before the interval. The forward then opted to shoot low from a long-range free-kick, although Jamieson gathered it comfortably to ensure the sides went into half-time level.

Half-Time: Stenhousemuir 0-0 Livingston

Livingston were awarded a penalty three minutes after the restart, presenting Muirhead with a golden opportunity to open the scoring. Jamieson guessed correctly and produced a superb one-handed save to keep the match goalless.

The Stenhousemuir goalkeeper was required again soon after, making an excellent stop to deny Carey’s volleyed effort. Soon after, he produced another vital sequence of saves to repel two Livingston attempts from close range.

Sinclair sent an 18-yard free-kick well over the crossbar before Ross Meechan almost made the breakthrough at the other end. The ball broke towards the Warriors captain just outside the Livingston box, but he narrowly failed to make the required contact.

Matthew Gillies was shown a yellow card in the 80th minute after protesting a soft-looking foul awarded to Livingston on the edge of the area. Muirhead then tested Jamieson with a stinging effort, but the goalkeeper once again stood firm.

Gillies registered the final attempt of the 90 minutes with a shot from distance, which Prior held comfortably. With neither side able to find a breakthrough, the bonus point, and Stenhousemuir’s place in the last 16, would be decided by penalties.

Full-Time: Stenhousemuir 0-0 Livingston

Gregor Buchanan thundered the opening penalty into the net before Jamieson denied Muirhead for the second time in the match.

Prior saved Euan O’Reilly’s attempt, allowing Cammy MacPherson to level the shootout. Gillies restored Stenhousemuir’s advantage and Jamieson then stopped Stevie May’s penalty.

Meechan was denied by Prior, but Jamieson responded with his third save of the shootout to keep out Cammy Kerr. That left Bright with the chance to win it, and the defender made no mistake as he fired Stenhousemuir to a vital bonus point and a place in the last 16 after an extraordinary penalty shootout.

Full-Time After Penalties: Stenhousemuir 0 (3)-0 (1) 0 Livingston

 

Match Preview

Match Preview by Scott Gallacher

 

Stenhousemuir welcome Livingston to Ochilview Park on Saturday afternoon for the final round of fixtures in Premier Sports Cup Group E.

The action gets under way at 3pm, with all three of Stenhousemuir, Livingston and Partick Thistle still in contention to reach the last 16 of the competition.

Partick have completed their four fixtures and currently lead the group with nine points and a goal difference of +10. The Warriors sit second with eight points, while Livingston are one point further back in third, meaning Saturday’s meeting will determine the final shape of the group.

Stenhousemuir head into the fixture following Tuesday evening’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Partick Thistle at Firhill.

Euan O’Reilly opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the fifth minute before Callum Penman doubled the Warriors’ advantage midway through the first half.

Oisin Smyth reduced the deficit for the hosts in the 33rd minute, with Tony Watt then finding an equaliser nine minutes from time to send the match directly to penalties.

The Warriors held their nerve in the shootout, converting all five of their penalties, while Darren Jamieson made the crucial save to secure a 5-3 shootout victory and an important bonus point.

That result kept Stenhousemuir unbeaten in the group, following victories over Forfar Athletic and Brechin City in their opening two fixtures.

Livingston also arrive at Ochilview unbeaten in the competition, having collected seven points from their opening three matches.

The Lions began their campaign with a 2-0 victory away to Brechin City before drawing 1-1 with Partick Thistle, with the Jags claiming the bonus point through a 3-2 shootout win.

Glenn Whelan’s side responded emphatically on Tuesday evening, with an 8-0 demolition of Forfar Athletic.

Tyrese Sinclair, Graham Carey, Robbie Muirhead and Stevie May put Livingston four goals ahead before half-time. Muirhead and Aidan Denholm both struck after the interval, with Joe Boggan and Carey netting again to complete the scoring.

The result took Livingston’s tally to 11 goals from three group matches, with only one conceded.

For Stenhousemuir, the route to the last 16 is clear:

A victory inside 90 minutes would take the Warriors to 11 points, secure top spot in Group E and guarantee qualification.

A draw followed by a Stenhousemuir shootout victory would take the Warriors to 10 points, which would also secure top spot and progression.

A draw followed by a Livingston shootout victory would leave all three contenders on nine points. Stenhousemuir would finish third on goal difference and be eliminated.

A Livingston victory inside 90 minutes would take the Lions to 10 points and send them through as group winners, with the Warriors finishing third on eight points.

Should Livingston win the shootout after a draw, the score after 90 minutes would determine whether the Lions or Partick Thistle finished top. Partick would remain first following a 0-0, 1-1 or 2-2 draw, while a draw of 3-3 or higher would allow Livingston to move ahead of the Jags on goals scored.

The eight group winners and three best runners-up qualify for the last 16. If either Partick or Livingston finishes second in Group E, they would do so with nine points and a +10 goal difference, leaving them well placed in the runners-up ranking. However, their progression would still depend on the final results across the other seven groups.

The sides last met at Ochilview Park in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup on 21 January 2023.

Nicky Jamieson headed Stenhousemuir into a first-half lead, raising hopes of a cup upset against the then-Premiership opposition.

Livingston responded after the interval, with Scott Pittman equalising in the 52nd minute before Steven Bradley struck twice during a decisive seven-minute spell to secure a 3-1 victory for the Lions.

Everything remains to play for on the final afternoon of Group E with the Warriors knowing that victory, whether inside 90 minutes or through a penalty shootout, will secure top spot and a place in the last 16.