Stenhousemuir vs Kelty Hearts

Match Report

As the sun shone on Ochilview, the Warriors were forced into a stalemate when Kelty Hearts came to town.

Kelty were coming into this fixture with one win since the new year under their belt, whereas the Warriors were aiming to return to their good form after a sore defeat in the Highlands.

Kelty looked dominant at the beginning of the first half however, the Warriors arguably had the better share of chances. Alston, who in recent fixtures has found joy from long distance shots, tried his luck in the 20th minute and watched as his effort flashed wide from 20 yards out.

The Warriors had the ball in the back of the net with top goal scorer, O’Donnell tapping in his effort, however, the linesman ruled out his strike in the 25th minute. Just before the close of the half, O’Reilly’s quick feet in the box afforded him room to try the shot, but his effort trickled wide.

Though the Warriors had to be patient out of possession, they had a lot of positive opportunities to pull ahead and showed their defensive quality in limiting Kelty’s chances. The second half didn’t provide much opportunity for either side, but an injection of energy from our substitutions provided a firecracker of an end in additional time.

Kelty, who were composed in possession thought they had grasped three points in added time when a cross in allowed O’Ware to power his header goal bound, but from out of nowhere Deejay clawed it away, though the linesman flagged for offside.

In the dying embers of the game the Warriors were awarded a free kick from 25 yards out. Substitute, Yates stepped up and rocketed his shot goal bound forcing the Kelty keeper to tip his goal bound shot over the bar.

By the end of added time the two sides were at a stalemate and arguably the points deserved to be spilt on this occasion. The Warriors go again next weekend as we travel to Aberdeen for another away day. Please make sure you join us to spur on Gary and the boys and stay up to date via all our social media channels.

Match Report by Louise Davidson 

Photographs by Thomas Gorman 

Preview

Warriors, we return to the home to Ochilview Park on Saturday aiming to pick ourselves up and return to winning ways when we host Kelty Hearts.

Despite defeat in the Highlands on Tuesday night, the Warriors are ready for action as we seek to move forward with only eight games left of the season.

Kelty, who were a team to be reckoned with at the start of the season have struggled since the turn of the year. Under new manager Charlie Mulgrew, they have failed to register a win and have conceded 13 goals in their last seven games.

Drama ensued the last time we faced Kelty at home in October, when hero Deejay saved a last-minute penalty to ensure that O’Reilly and Buckie’s goals wrapped up a crucial three points. This was a performance that had Ochilview bouncing and the same will be required on Saturday as we continue to push at the top end of the table.

Despite Kelty’s run of poor form, their star man, Ross Cunningham (who was on the scoresheet last time at Ochilview) is still leading the line as the league’s joint top scorer with 12 goals for the season. His crown could be under threat as our main man, Corey O’Donnell, is climbing that ladder at a ferocious speed with 9 goals and is showing no signs of stopping.

Warriors, as always, your support is vital to our success. Make sure you join us at Ochilview this weekend to support Gary and the boys. Stay up to date via all our social media channels.

Kick off: 3pm 15th March

Location: Ochilview Park

Match Preview by Louise Davidson