Swifty made 4 changes from the team the started last week’s defeat at Annan.
Dan Higgins comes in to replace Nicky Jamieson who has picked up a minor injury. Adam Corbett, Mikey Anderson and Tam Orr drop to the bench with Adam Brown, Will Sewell and Ross Forbes coming into the starting lineup.
Stirling Albion get the game started inside a blistering warm Forthbank Stadium.
GOAL: Stenhousemuir made the worst possible start when the ball dropped to Dale Carrick in the box and the big striker fired home inside the first minute. STIRLING ALBION 1-0 STENHOUSEMUIR [Carrick 1 minute]
RED CARD: Things went from bad to worse just a few moments later when Dan Higgins wrestled Robert Thomson to the ground as he was through on goal. The referee judged the defender to be denying a goal scoring opportunity and showed the red card.
SUBSTITUTION: The red card forces Swifty into an early change with Adam Brown being the sacrifice to make way for Nicky Jamieson.
With the goal and player advantage, Stirling simply controlled the game throughout the first half, taking their time and breaking forward when possible.
23 minutes in and the visitors have struggled to worry the home defence. The weather is making the player deficit even tougher. The referee does call for a water break after a foul on Will Sewell.
The Warriors look stronger after the break and have started to control the game a bit more.
32 minutes in and Stirling had the best chance to get the 2nd goal of the game. Jack Leitch picked up the ball on the edge of the box and drilled a shot on target, Brennan was on hand to make a good diving save though to stop Stirling from doubling their lead.
The home side had an even better chance on 36 minutes but for another world class save from Brennan.
And again. The keeper is keeping the Warriors in this game with a string of good saves.
However, it was Nicky Jamieson who almost got the game’s second by Currie easily collected the defender’s header on goal.
HALF TIME: STIRLING ALBION 1-0 STENHOUSEMUIR
SUBSTITUTION: Double chance at the break for The Warriors with Tam Orr and Euan O’Reilly replacing Ross Forbes and Craig Bryson.
The Warriors have started the 2nd half strong with a clear game plan to flood the Stirling defence.
And it almost worked in a few minutes. Ex-Warrior Robert Thomson had a wild swipe at Euan O’Reilly. Matty Yates stepped up to take the free kick, but couldn’t get his shot on target.
GOAL: It’s another quick start for the home side as the Warriors defence struggle to clear their lines and Robert Thomson pokes home from inside the 6 yard box. STIRLING ALBION 2-0 STENHOUSEMUIR [Thomson 51 minutes]
With Stenhousemuir so eager to get back into the game, they’ve been leaving themselves short in midfield and although the visitors can break quick, they’re struggling out of possession.
It was another smart save by Brennan that kept the score down as Stirling hold off and try and catch the visitors on the counter.
SUBSTITUTION: fourth change of the match with Adam Corbett replacing Mikey Miller at right back
64 minutes in and Stirling could find themselves lucky not to be down to 10 men. An awful challenge by Cummins only yielded a yellow card from the referee. In his anger at the challenge, Michael Moore also picked up a booking.
With 70 minutes played, the referee calls for a water break.
Stenhousemuir has struggled since the break with the temperature and the man deficit proving too difficult to overcome. Stirling are content to keep the ball and counter when Stenhousemuir push forward.
SUBSTITUTION: Final change for The Warriors as Niyah Joseph replaces Matty Yates on 78 minutes.
GOAL: Lucky break for the home side as the ball cannons off Dale Carrick who runs through on goal for Stirling’s third. STIRLING ALBION 3-0 STENHOUSEMUIR [Dale Carrick 81 minutes]
That was it as far of the game was concerned.
FULL TIME: STIRLING ALBION 3-0 STENHOUSEMUIR
A difficult afternoon for The Warriors who will have to pick themselves up next week for the visit of league leaders Dumbarton.
Was always going to be a tough afternoon in blistering heat, but by being a goal and player down inside 5 minutes, it proved to be an even tougher challenge.
