Match Details
Annan Athletic v Stenhousemuir
Match Report
Stenhousemuir ended Annan Athletic’s impressive unbeaten league run with a 2 goal victory against an Annan team who for the second successive week failed to hit the net. The weather was cold and miserable with the rain making it difficult for both teams. The Annan line up showed a couple of changes from the previous week but the visitors had done their homework on the Annan team with Chris Johnston and Owen Moxon being unable to exert the same influence in the match the way they normally do.
Annan started the better and controlled the game for large spells in the first half but they were unable to find a way past Peter Urminsky who saved a late penalty . In the opening minutes Goss endeavoured to tee up Tony Wallace but he could not get the touch he was after. Annan forced a corner in the 4th minute after Wallace’s effort was deflected . This was followed by a 6th minute Chris Johnston effort as Annan’s bright start continued. It was all Annan as they took the game to the Warriors , Moxon was next to have an effort when his 19th minute effort from the edge of the box was deflected for a corner and Moxon’s corner was headed against the post by Douglas.
Moxon’s free kick in the 21st minute tested Urminsky who confidently dealt with the free kick. The pressure was mounting as Annan won another corner kick and from the corner Douglas came close with his header striking the upright. Then Thomas Orr tried his luck at the other end with his effort going narrowly past the post. A minute later in the 30th minute it was Thomas Orr who rounded Swinglehurst down the right to finish with a low shot which Fleming could not hold and the ball slipped through the keepers hands and into the empty net.
It was cruel blow for Annan to take as there had been little evidence from the visitors to suggest they would score up to that point in the match. Annan responded when Anderson set up Goss only for his effort to sail over the bar. This was followed by a Tony Wallace effort which was deflected for a corner kick as Annan went all out to get back on level terms before half time.
The second half started in similar fashion to the first half with Annan taking the game to Stenhousemuir who had a lucky escape when Keeper Urminsky spilled the ball and Anderson following up could not get a decent shot away. Stenhousemuir then forced a couple of corners in the 55th minute and from the second corner Nicholas Jamieson rose above his markers at the back post to head the Warriors into a 2 goal lead.
Annan then immediately introduced Rob McCartney at the expense of Tommy Goss who was well marshalled by captain Sean Chrighton . Annan continued to look for an opening against the well marshalled Warriors defence , Swinglehurst’s header was confidently saved by the keeper then two great chances fell to McCartney and Johnston who’s efforts were scrambled clear and Johnston following up shot wide of the target. The opportunity’s gave Annan hope, Aidan Smith and Dominic Docherty were introduced in the 73rd minute at the expense of Steven Swinglehurst and Lewis Hunter minutes later Darren Christie replaced Robert Thomson for the visitors.
Aidan Smith then sent in a glorious low cross but there was no takers at hand to make the best of the opportunity. Smith then had an effort easily saved by the keeper. Ross Forbes was introduced in the 87th minute for the injured Thomas Orr and then immediately Annan were awarded a penalty kick when
McGarity was fouled by Anderson up stepped Tony Wallace to take the penalty but Urminsky made a brilliant save to deny Annan a goal which summed up Annan’s afternoon .
There were no more opportunities created and Stenhousemuir lifted the points to end Annan’s impressive unbeaten 11 match run.