Preview Stenhousemuir

The Pars` last win at Stenhousemuir was on 24th August 2013 and what a match that turned out to be!

The first Pars match of 2014 will be against Stenhousemuir at Ochilview Park. There have been 80 previous meetings between these teams but it will only be the third league match between Dunfermline and Stenhousemuir since 29th April 1986. The Fifers have won 38 times, Stenhousemuir 22 and 20 matches have been drawn. The best Pars result was an 11-2 win in 1930. The Pars` last win at Stenhousemuir was on 24th August 2013 and what a match that turned out to be.

Stenny led 2-0 and increased their lead to three just six minutes into the second half. Some thought it was all over but there was true grit on the pitch and the Pars staged a remarkable come back. Goals from Jordan Moore and Andy Geggan got it back to 3-2 but when Sean Higgins scored the home side`s fourth in 73 minutes some `fans` headed back for the Kincardine Bridge. Bad luck for them since those who stayed witnessed a startling finale.

Husband whacked a low range free kick over the bar before Allan Smith replaced Ryan Thomson for the last ten minutes. It was the sub who was to put the Fifers back into the match six minutes from time. Smith smashed in at an angle from the right and it was 4-3.

Then Moore was turning in front of goal looking for an opening when Ross Smith took him down. Referee Stevie O`Reilly pointed to the spot as Moore grabbed the ball to take the spot kick. He made no mistake and it was all square with four minutes to go. Unbelievably the Pars notched a fifth in 89th minute. Alex Whittle made a fantastic run down the left and his cross was met by Geggan. 4-5.

Dunfermline Athletic won the league game at East End Park in November but it took a 92nd minute goal from Allan Smith to finally secure the three points..  Stenhousemuir lie fifth in League One and are pressing for a play off place.  They lie just four points behind Ayr United in fourth with a game in hand, albeit that is at home to Rangers. A win over the Fifers could reduce the Pars advantage over them to just six points.  

The defeat at the hands of the Pars in August has been the only home league game that Stenhousemuir have lost this season. Rangers are the only team to beat Dunfermline in the last dozen matches and the Fifers have only been beaten at Ibrox and Forfar in away league games this season.

Last Time Out

DUNFERMLINE (v Rangers): Ryan Scully; Ryan Williamson (Lewis Spence 89), Kerr Young, Lewis Martin, Alex Whittle; Shaun Byrne (Allan Smith 77), Stephen Husband, Josh Falkingham (c), Andy Geggan; Ryan Wallace, Jordan Moore,.
SUBS NOT USED: Craig Dargo, Faissal El Bakhtaoui, Chris Kane, Ross Drummond, Ryan Goodfellow (GK).

STENHOUSEMUIR (v Brechin City): Chris Smith; Nicky Devlin, Kevin McKinlay, Ross McMillan, Eddie Malone, Bryan Hodge, David Rowson, Sean Dickson (Ross McNeil 89), Sean Lynch, Sean Higgins (Kristopher Faulds 82), Errol Douglas (John Gemmell 69).
SUBS NOT USED: Brown Ferguson, Ross Smith, Josh Watt, Dean Shaw.

Referee will be Andrew Dallas.