Stenhousemuir vs Peterhead

Match Report

Stenhousemuir maintained their place at the top of William Hill League One and extended their unbeaten run to nine matches with a 3-1 victory over Peterhead at Ochilview.

Dale Carrick opened the scoring midway through the first half with a clever lob, before Andrew McCarthy levelled for the visitors just before the break.

After the restart, Euan O’Reilly stole the show, converting a penalty and then adding a superb second just three minutes later to seal all three points for the Warriors.

Gary Naysmith named an unchanged starting XI from last week’s victory over Kelty Hearts at New Central Park.

Peterhead were first to threaten, with Kieran Shanks trying his luck from the edge of the box, but Darren Jamieson got down well to make the save.

Andrew McCarthy was next to go close for the visitors, his header from the centre of the box once again kept out by Jamieson’s gloves.

Despite Peterhead’s early chances, it was Stenny who struck first after 24 minutes. A perfectly weighted cross from Ross Meechan was headed into the path of Dale Carrick, who showed great composure to lob Jack Newman and put the Warriors ahead.

The Blue Toon looked to respond through Kieran Shanks, whose header was smothered by Darren Jamieson.

The visitors eventually found their equaliser in the 42nd minute. A cleverly worked free-kick on Stenhousemuir’s left was played short by Max Barry to Andrew McCarthy, who finished low into the net to level the match.

Half-Time: Stenhousemuir 1-1 Peterhead

Archie Graham came close to restoring Stenny’s lead just after the restart, but his header drifted narrowly wide following a set piece.

Moments later, Peterhead had a chance of their own as Max Barry struck from distance, only for Jamieson to spring up and collect the effort comfortably.

The Warriors were awarded a penalty in the 51st minute when Ross Taylor was brought down inside the box by Aaron Steele. Euan O’Reilly stepped up confidently and buried the penalty into the bottom-left corner to put Stenny back in front.

O’Reilly wasn’t done there. Just three minutes later, a surging run and precise pass from Oliver Whyte released him through the Blue Toon defence, and the in-form winger slotted into the far corner for his second of the match – his fifth goal in just four games.

The pace of the match slowed after that, but Euan O’Reilly almost had his hat-trick late on, with his shot from the centre of the area blocked and sent away from danger.

It was another hard-fought three points for the Warriors, extending their unbeaten run to nine in all competitions and keeping them top of the William Hill League One table.

Full-Time: Stenhousemuir 3-1 Peterhead

Stenhousemuir: Jamieson, Meechan (Ewen 87’), Buchanan, Graham, O’Reilly, Robson (Anderson 65’), Taylor (Cameron 80’), Bilham, Carrick (Aitken 77’), Whyte, McGill (Gray 87’)

Unused Subs: Gromov, Simpson, Grant

Peterhead: Newman, Duffy, Jason Brown, McCarthy, Shanks, Carnwath (Goldie 46’), Steele, Smith, Forrest (Mackie 80’), Ross (McGinn 64’), Barry (Jack Brown 73’)

Unused Subs: Oluyemi, Colloty, Wilson, Jordon Brown

Bookings: Robson 47’, Smith 49’, Steele 67’, Taylor 75’, Meechan 82’, Shanks 82’, McGill 86’

PREVIEW

Stenhousemuir return to Ochilview on Saturday as they host Peterhead in Scottish League One action with a 3:00pm kick-off.

The Warriors head into the fixture sitting top of the table after last weekend’s 1-0 win away to Kelty Hearts.

Euan O’Reilly was the match-winner, confidently converting from the penalty spot to continue his fine scoring run with a third goal in as many games, after Ross Taylor was brought down by Alex Ferguson inside the Kelty box.

That result also stretched Stenny’s unbeaten run to eight matches in all competitions.

Peterhead, promoted as William Hill League Two champions last season, currently sit 7th in the table after being held to a 2-2 draw at Balmoor against Hamilton Accies.

Craig McGuffie put the Blue Toon ahead before Oliver Shaw equalised for Accies. Cameron Smith then restored Peterhead’s advantage, but Stuart McKinstry’s late strike denied them all three points.

The sides have already met this season in the Premier Sports Cup. On that occasion, Ross Taylor’s first-half strike secured a 1-0 victory for Stenhousemuir at Ochilview.

Manager Gary Naysmith commented looking ahead to the match: “It’s a nice run we’re on, but we just keep going. It’s still very early in the season, but what I would say is there’s a good feel about the place.

“The players are fit, they’re working hard for each other, and training is really competitive. We’ll enjoy where we are just now, but the focus is on working hard and trying to get another three points next week.”