Stirling Albion v Stenhousemuir FC

Match Report

Stirling Albion v Stenhousemuir at Forthbank, Stirling on 18.10.14 SPFL Division One Att 689

Stirling Albion 0 Stenhousemuir 4 [Faulds 17, Oliver 51, 66, Walsh 76]

Stirling Albion – Reidford, McGeachie, Creaney, McClune [Cunningham 55], Wedderburn, C.Smith, Robertson [so 70], D.Smith [D.L.Smith 55], G.Smith [Fulton 72], Doris and Hamilton [b53]. Subs not used – Forsyth, Weir, Al-Sayed and Paterson.

Stenhousemuir – Fleming, Duncan, Greacen, McMillan, Lithgow, K.Millar, Reid [Fotheringham 67], Faulds, McMenamin [b70] [Eddington 74], Oliver [b62] and Walsh. Subs not used –Lawson, Meechan, Sludden, Watt and Shaw.

Referee – Barry Cook Assistants – Andy Milne and Chris McNab

Both teams went into this game knowing that defeat would leave their team at the bottom of the league so there was a fair amount of pressure attached to this game.

Stenhousemuir went into this game on the back of four away defeats without scoring whilst Stirling had only won one game in the first quarter of the season but that had been at Ochilview in a crazy nine goal match.

In the end however it was the Warriors who were successful as theyran out comfortable winners in a 4-0 victory, their first victory at Forthbank since 2000, a result that ultimately ended Greg McDonald’s managerial reign at Stirling as he resigned after the game.

There were several changes in the Stenhousemuir ranks with Tom Walsh returning after Scotland Under 19 duty whilst in defence Alan Lithgow moved to left back to cover for the suspended Ciaran Summers with Stewart Greacen returning to central defence after injury and Robbie Duncan starting his first league game this season at right back.

Stirling also made changes as they went for a 3-5-2 formation whilst the Warriors stayed as a 4-3-3 and although it looked as if Stenhousemuir may be overrun in midfield that didn’t happen through the work rate in particular of Kieran Millar and Kris Faulds whilst Tom Walsh was given more freedom to assist the forward line.

The ‘Muir had created the better chances in the opening stages of the game and it came as no surprise when they took the lead in the17th minute though the name of the scorer would have been as it was Kris Faulds who opened the account with a shot from the edge of the box after a lay off from Colin McMenamin.

This was the first goal that he has scored for Stenhousemuir and was well deserved. Gary Oliver fired over from 14 yards and Walsh saw an effort saved as Stenhousemuir pushed for a second goal.

There was a spell though when both sides seemed to rely on set pieces and in the main long throw ins to create opportunities and it was during this period that Stirling came closest to getting anequaliser with Chris Smith and Gordon Smith both having efforts wide of the target. It was only sporadic pressure though and Callum Reidford was the busier keeper saving from Oliver just before half time.

The keeper was beaten though in the 51st minute when Oliver scored the Warriors second goal finishing a flowing move by tucking the ball into the net. Stirling made a double change to try and get back into the game without success and were sliced open once again by the Oliver and Walsh combination but once again Reidford made a fine stop.

The stopper though blotted his copybook in the 66th minute when hewas dispossessed by Oliver who proceeded to tap in from on the line as Reidford slipped whilst trying to get back and retrieve the situation.

The game turned ugly in the 70th minute when Colin McMenamin reacted to a tackle and was consequently headbutted by Willie Robertsonwho was dismissed for his actions whilst McMenamin was cautioned. This was the second time the Stirling player had been sent off against

Stenhousemuir this season as he was dismissed in the Stirlingshire Cup as well, incidentally it was the same referee in both games.

That effectively ended any chance of a contest and the fourth goalcame in the 76th minute by Tom Walsh who scored his first senior goal tucking the ball in the net after a swift counter attack started by Fraser Eddington who was making his first team debut after promising displays in the development squad after signing from North Merchiston B.C.

All in all a good day for the Warriors and they will be hoping to build on the positive elements of their play in this game.