Stenhousemuir v East Fife, 27th February 2010
League Division Two, Ochilview
Stenhousemuir 1 East Fife 1
Match Report: Alan Henderson
Photos: Jim Corstorphine
STENNIE SUFFER LATE BREACH
A late Lloyd Young strike rescued a well-deserved point for the Fifers against a Warriors team which appeared happy to hold on to their early one-nil advantage. In doing so, they almost lost all three points as the Fifers pushed for a winner in the last few moments, but simply ran out of time.
The Fifers had lost the opening goal before they had got in their stride - the makeshift defence inevitably looking a little shaky in the opening exchanges. On 6 minutes, Motion delivered the Warriors first corner; McLeod rose unchallenged to head forcefully goalwards; Brown getting behind it but failing to stop it crossing the line.
The Fifers’ trialist is tripped!
To their credit, the Fifers quickly responded - Fagan lobbed the keeper, but McManus failed to get on the end of it; the captain then headed against the bar from a Crawford corner; then headed past from a good position; and a Young effort was well saved by McCluskey. Stennie came more into the picture as the first half ended, with Brown saving well direct from a free kick, and Muir clearing up a Thomson attack.
Into the second half, and it was clear that Stennie were content to get everyone behind the ball when the Fifers pressed, and counter-attack quickly with long balls to the two strikers. The Fifers enjoyed the bulk of possession; but tending to play in front of the Warriors meant their was a lack of penetration. Once or twice Campbell made runs down the wing; there was one almighty scramble in the Stennie box; and McManus mis-hit wide when set up by Crawford. Meanwhile, Brown was called into action with a couple of balls pumped forward.
The introduction of subs Linn and Cargill provided the cutting edge - Linn firing a 25 yarder at McCluskey, and Cargill bringing a great save from him from a delicate lob. The equaliser came with three minutes remaining - and it was a great move. From a dubious Stennie corner came a clearance to Linn; he fed McManus; then Cargill; back to Linn, who fired at the keeper - with Young on hand to fire home the rebound.
Lloyd Young fires home the equaliser
The Fifers had their tails up, and pressed for a winner; there was time for a couple of attacks, but nothing more materialised. A fair share of the points, then, ahead of a very busy schedule.
Stenhousemuir: McCluskey, Gibb, Lyle, McLeod, Thom, Love [Hunter 89], Smith, Thomson, Dalziel, Diack [Quinn 65], Motion. Subs not used: Bennett, Peebles, Dickson.
East Fife: Brown, Lowing, Campbell [Conway 88], Muir, Nugent, Murdoch, Crawford [Cargill 79], Fagan [Linn 69], McManus, McCunnie, Young. Subs not used; Baillie, Kerr.
Referee: S Conroy
Booked: Motion [S] Murdoch [EF]
