Match Report

Annan secured their place in the Final of  the league 1 play offs with a 2-1 victory over Stenhousemuir on Saturday to secure a 4-1 aggregate victory for Annan who will now play Clyde in the Final who disposed of Edinburgh City with a 4-0 aggregate victory.

Both teams showed changes from the first match with Scott Hooper failing a late fitness check, his place taken up at right back by Jack Brannan and Kyle Bradley being preferred to Owen Moxon in midfield.

Stenhousemuir kicked off in front of a noisy home support and a packed away end and almost in their first attack the home team created danger with Alex Mitchell appearing to misread the attempt. Annan then replied in the 5th minute when Aidan Smith set Chris Johnston up with Johnston’s shot beating keeper Graham Smith but the shot struck the base of the post.

Annan’s early pressure paid off in the 19th minute when Kyle Bradly slammed Chris Johnston’s corner into the back of the net from 12 yards. It was just the start Annan had been dreaming about but not the start the warriors were hoping for.

The home team took the game to Annan and they were eventually rewarded in the 35th minute when Cameron Breadner won his way to the bye line ending with a low cross which was rifled into the net by David Marsh from 7 yards . Game On.

Annan controlled the remainder of the first half against the threat of the home team who started the second half in a similar vein taking the game to Annan, with Annan appearing to be happy defending the Warriors threat. Shots from Cook and McGuigan were confidently saved by Mitchell.

As the half progressed the home side became more frustrated and Annan started to control the play once again and following a couple of Chris Johnston corner kicks Steven Swinglehurst prodded the ball over the line in the 73rd minute to confirm Annan’s place in the final.

STENHOUSEMUIR- Graeme Smith, Alan Reid, Ruaidh Donaldson, Cameron Breadner (Thomas Halleran 76 min), David Marsh, Mark Ferry, Mark McGuigan, Alan Cook, Sean Dickson, Andy Munro (Morgyn Neil 66min ),Greg Hurst. Subs not used – Lewis McMinn GK, Kieran Gibbons, Russell Dingwell, Ryan Watters, Colin McMennamin.

ANNAN ATHLETIC – Alex Mitchell , Jack Brannan (Owen Moxon 65min), Lewis Strapp, David Wilson, Ayrton Sonkur (Peter Watson 87 min) ), Steven Swinglehurst, Tony Wallace, Kyle Bradley, Aidan Smith ( Ross Ferguson 77 min ), Tommy Muir , Chris Johnston. SUBS NOT USED- Aidan McAdams, James Creaney, Christain Nade, Ryan Sinnamon.

Referee- David Munro Assistants – Paul O’Neil and Brian Templeton

Attendance 794