Match Report

Match Report by Scott Gallacher

Stenhousemuir ran out winners in the William Hill Championship Play-Off Semi-Final Second Leg against Queen of the South at Ochilview Park.

With the first leg ending 1-1, it was all to play for on Saturday, and the game itself did not disappoint for the neutral.

Matty Aitken got the Warriors off to the perfect start as his headed effort from a corner on four minutes found its way over the line. However, Nicky Clark scored an equaliser in the 22nd minute.

Ultimately, these would be the only goals over the 90 minutes, and the match would go to extra time.

Olly Whyte got Stenhousemuir back in front, but Nicky Clark agonisingly got his second of the afternoon, forcing the game to penalties to decide who would progress to the final.

Queen of the South struck first through Kurtis Guthrie before Gregor Buchanan levelled from the spot.

Kai Kennedy restored the visitors lead, while Matty Aitken then saw his penalty saved.

Jordan Allan and Dale Carrick both converted before Reece Lyon slipped and sent his effort over the bar.

Mikey Anderson then rattled the underside of the crossbar with his penalty, which bounced over the line, before Darren Jamieson produced a huge save to deny Nicky Clark, leaving Olly Whyte to confidently convert the decisive spot-kick and send the Warriors through to the William Hill Championship Play-Off Final.

Gary Naysmith made one change to the side that started the first leg against Queen of the South at Palmerston Park, with Ross Taylor replacing Dale Carrick in the starting XI.

Stenhousemuir got off to the perfect start after Kinlay Bilham’s perfectly weighted free-kick fell to Matty Aitken inside the area, who headed it goalward, with it kissing the far post and getting over the line within four minutes.

Ross Taylor was next to get a chance as, despite being held by a Queens defender, he got a shot away, but Ross Stewart got a hand to it to save.

Mikey Anderson was next in search of a Warriors second, but his shot from close range was deflected away by the visiting defence.

Queen of the South got themselves back on level terms in the 22nd minute as Nicky Clark’s shot from the edge of the Stenny area nestled into the back of the net.

The last action of the half came from Olly Whyte as he was picked out inside the middle of the box, but his effort was saved at point-blank range by Ross Stewart.

Half-Time: Stenhousemuir 1-1 Queen of the South

Ross Taylor continued to be a thorn in the side of Queen of the South as he had two successive shots within ten minutes, but unfortunately, both would go wide of the target.

Ross Stewart also continued to deny Stenny as a tremendous save from the visiting keeper denied Matty Aitken’s powerful volley from the centre of the box.

Stenhousemuir continued to apply wave after wave of pressure in the closing stages of normal time, with Matty Aitken almost producing a carbon copy of his earlier goal, only for his header to drift just wide.

It was groundhog day for Ross Taylor too, as the winger cut inside and got another chance to put Stenhousemuir back into the lead, with Ross Stewart once again blocking the shot.

Full-Time: Stenhousemuir 1-1 Queen of the South

Reece Lyon got Queens off to a quick start in extra time, but could not capitalise as his effort went wide.

Stenhousemuir regained the lead in the 104th minute as sustained pressure on the visitors eventually paid off with Ross Taylor’s initial effort was not cleared from danger, allowing Olly Whyte to receive the ball around six yards from goal, and he made no mistake.

Half-Time of Extra Time: Stenhousemuir 2-1 Queen of the South

Nicky Clark almost got the scores back on level terms as his attempt flashed just wide of the Warriors goalmouth.

The equaliser would come for the visitors however, as Nicky Clark made amends for his earlier miss. A cross from out wide landed to Clark, who controlled well before firing home.

Full-Time of Extra Time: Stenhousemuir 2-2 Queen of the South

In the penalty shootout, Queen of the South converted through Kurtis Guthrie and Kai Kennedy, while Gregor Buchanan and Dale Carrick responded for the Warriors.

Matty Aitken saw his effort saved before Reece Lyon slipped and sent his penalty over the bar, swinging momentum back in Stenhousemuir’s favour.

Mikey Anderson then scored via the underside of the crossbar before Darren Jamieson produced a huge save to deny Nicky Clark, allowing Olly Whyte to step up and fire home the winning penalty to send the Warriors through.

The result now sets up a local derby in the William Hill Championship Play-Off Final against Alloa Athletic, with the first leg taking place at the Indodrill Stadium on Wednesday 13 May.

Full-Time after Penalties: Stenhousemuir 2-2 Queen of the South

(Stenhousemuir win 4-2 on penalties)

 

Match Preview

Match Preview by Scott Gallacher

 

Stenhousemuir return to Ochilview Park tomorrow afternoon for the second leg of the William Hill Championship Play-Off Semi-Final against Queen of the South, with everything still to play for following a dramatic first leg in Dumfries, with kick-off at 3pm.

The Warriors looked to be taking a slender advantage back home on Tuesday night after captain Gregor Buchanan fired Gary Naysmith’s side ahead in the first half with a volley from the edge of the area.

However, deep into stoppage time, Reece Lyon struck in the 92nd minute to level the tie and ensure the contest remains finely poised heading into Saturday’s showdown at Ochilview.

With a place in the William Hill Championship Play-Off Final on the line, Stenhousemuir will be looking to make home advantage count in front of what is expected to be a strong backing at home.

The Warriors have enjoyed another memorable campaign and now sit just 90 minutes away from keeping their promotion hopes alive after narrowly missing out on the William Hill League One title on the final day of the regular season.

Queen of the South, meanwhile, will arrive knowing they too are one result away from progressing, setting up what promises to be an intense and closely fought encounter between the two sides.

Supporters are encouraged to arrive early and get behind the team as Ochilview hosts one of the biggest matches in the club’s recent history.