Stenhousemuir vs Edinburgh City

Match Report

Stenhousemuir v Edinburgh City at Ochilview Park, Stenhousemuir on 7.11.20

SPFL League Two

Stenhousemuir 2 [Spence 46, 68 pen] Edinburgh City 0

Stenhousemuir – Martin, Tiffoney, Munro, Little, Yeats, Hodge [Brown 89], Biabi [McGuigan 84], Blair [b75], Tapping [b45], Muir [b90] and Spence [b81][Graham 90]

Subs not used – Erskine, McQueen, Fairley, Watters, Grigor and Halleran

Edinburgh City – Antell, Thomson, Balatoni, Laird [Butterforth 80], McGill [Cunningham 56], Handling [b90], Campbell, See [B.Henderson h/t], Newman, L.Henderson and De Vita [Brown 56].

Subs  not used – Black, Quate, Hamilton and Sharp

Referee – Duncan Williams    Assistants – Sean Carr and Brian Christie

Although the game is less than a month old this was the second meeting between the clubs with the first being through in Edinburgh in the Betfred Cup when the Warriors picked up a bonus point from the penalty shoot out after the teams had been level at full time.

Stenhousemuir almost got off to a dream start in the game with Ryan Blair meeting a Jack Hodge cross but his effort was blocked by ex-Warrior Liam Henderson. The game continued at a decent tempo with both sides pressing where possible. Chances though were relatively few in the first half though Ouzy See headed a Craig Thomson free-kick over the bar after 20 minutes. Just before the half hour a Callum Tapping cross caused the visitors problems but ended with a Spence effort that didn’t trouble them. Paddy Martin made a fine save to tip a Danny Handling shot round the post from a Sam Newman cross.  Blair was again picked out by a Hodge pass in the 44^th minute but once again he was to have no luck as his shot was deflected just wide.  The Citizens almost took the lead with the last play of the half but Tapping did well to clear a Liam Henderson header off the line.

As in the first half Stenhousemuir were positive at the start of the second and they took the lead in the 46^th minute when Spence was effectively gifted a goal when a Newman miscue landed at the striker’s feet for him to tuck home. That was a vital goal as City were struggling in the main to break the Warriors down and get into any rhythm though Blair Henderson hit a powerful shot just over in the 53^rd minute and in the 67^th minute Martin had to save a Liam Brown strike though it lacked power to cause any real problems.

Victory was effectively sealed a minute later when the Warriors were awarded a penalty. Tommy Muir who was probably having his best game so far this season was tripped by Liam Henderson just inside the box and Spence stepped up to convert from the spot.

Liam Henderson hit a powerful free-kick in the 78^th minute that Martin did well to keep out. The ball fell to Blair Henderson though and his effort beat the keeper but was to be cleared off the line by Spence.

Stenhousemuir held on without any more scares and were able to run the clock down before the whistle blew for victory. This was a hard fought game and was probably the highest tempo of any league game so far for the Warriors and was a well deserved victory against a team who were far better than the Warriors last season, so hopefully that gives an indication that the form of the Warriors is going in the right direction. It is still very early in the season though so we will get a better picture after the first quarter.