Stenhousemuir 0-0 East Fife, Saturday 6th April 2024
Ochilview, cinch League Two
Last weekend saw us further extend our unbeaten run under newly awarded League Two Manager of the Month Dick Campbell, as we drew 0-0 away to Stenhousemuir. The draw proved to be enough to crown the Warriors as Champions of the division, and they thoroughly deserve that title after the season that they have had.
There was a distinct lack of clear-cut opportunities in the game, though Newton created a half chance after 13 minutes of action. His cross found Alan Trouten (March’s player of the month for League Two), who used a whole bundle of experience to knock the ball down to Kieran Millar, but his shot was saved by Darren Jamieson.
5 minutes later, we looked to have another opportunity when the Warriors’ goalkeeper fumbled Healy’s free kick, though the Stenny defence cleared their lines.
Stenhousemuir then took control of the remainder of the half, with Matty Yates forcing Allan Fleming into two saves in two minutes, before Brown cannoned a volley off the crossbar before the half time whistle.
Stenhousemuir almost took the lead 5 minutes after the restart, as Aitken tested Fleming from very long range.
We slowly warmed our way into the half however, and James Lyon almost grabbed the opener, just failing to latch onto a Jack Healy cross.
It was an end-to-end affair with the two sides struggling to create, though East Fife looked destined to score in the 76th minute, when Jamieson spilled a Healy free kick for the second time in the game. It fell to Trouten this time, and the Warriors’ goalie redeemed himself with a strong save.
Healy blasted wide in the last chance of the game for the Fifers. It was a cagey finish, with Stenhousemuir edging ever closer to the league title. When the final whistle blew, you could hear a pin drop at Ochilvew as the Stenhousemuir faithful awaited the result of the Peterhead game. Notifications started appearing on phones, as celebrations ensued, with Stenhousemuir becoming league champions for the first time in their history.
Report by Oli Anderson
Stenhousemuir – D Jamieson, Buchanan, Bilham, Lynch, Wedderburn (Jacobs 78’), Yates (Taylor 74’), Brown (Kirkpatrick 74’), O’Reilly (Berry 89’), Anderson, Aitken. Subs not used: Stirling, Lyle, Rodden.
East Fife – Fleming, Murdoch (Docherty 45’), Newton, Blaney, Easton, Lyon (Schiavone 68’), Shepherd, Trouten, Healy. Subs not used: Slattery, Nicol, Hamilton, Walls, Murray, Beveridge, Ramsay.
Referee – Ryan Lee
Attendance – 1,035