Stenhousemuir1–0Arbroath

OVERALL : The smallest 2nd division crowd of the day (428) endured bright but bitterly cold weather to see the Lichties deliver another weak & frustrating performance. Stenhousemuir were poor but lucky, we were just poor. The game was dismal, and the result is unacceptable. The AFC fans saw yet more tactical changes that did not work & questionable substitutions, which did nothing to inspire confidence.

TEAM : Opened with a 4,3,3 r to l formation of McMullen, Rennie, Browne & King in front of Peat with r to l midfield of Henslee, Dow & McGlashan and Herkes, R.Graham & Durno up front. Subs : Used – E.Graham, Farguharson & Trialist (Steve Kirke !). Not used – Mitchell & Newall

MOTM : Rennie & Browne stood out yet again as a good pairing, with Rennie doing his best to add support in midfield & up-front whilst Browne covered in the centre of defence. Durno ran his socks off, whilst Farquharson’s pace & trickery made a difference. Rennie gets my vote.

FIRST HALF : AFC started brightly, especially when Bull Graham made a good edge of box hold & knockback move which saw Herkes shoot hard, low & wide. AFC also closed well via a good combination move from Durno & McGlashan, plus sustained pressure from two resultant corners. However, the other 30+ minutes saw mediocre & easily forgettable performances from both teams. The Warriors goal came from a strong right side run & good cross which met a weak & badly controlled clearance effort from Herkes, leaving Peat no chance as the ball spun in the wrong direction. Lichtie friendly highlights were few & far between.

SECOND HALF : Not for the first time, Herkes did not appear for the 2nd half. Also not for the first time, AFC changed formation & tactics – moving to 4,4,2 with Euan Graham on at left back & King at left wing. The Lichties took a few minutes to get settled, which saw a scare as Peat came for the ball but did not connect and Durno & McMullen suffer some physical abuse which resembled wrestling rather than football. Nearing the hour mark saw better AFC play. Bull found his way through the defence & beat the keeper, but saw his mid power placed shot rebound squarely off the post. Bull also held the ball up well at the edge of the box, for Dow to find Euan Graham whose 20+ yds shot was knocked wide. McGlashan was unlucky from the resultant corner. Rennie & Dow then worked well to create a half chance flick header for McGlashan. A Stenhousemuir forward’s breaking run saw a scare at the other end, but Peat made an excellent save. Just past the hour, an unchallenged Euan Graham caught his studs & fell awkwardly - had to be stretchered off. Farquharson came on at left wing, with King reverting to left back. Farquharson was then involved in several good moves, with strong support from McGlashan & Durno, including some where Bull & Henslee saw good chances come & go. With 15 mins or so to go, AFC fans witnessed Durno being taken off & replaced by Steve Kirk! (Trialist) The combination of Bull & Kirk did produce some good headed flicks to create yet more missed half chances from both free play & corners. Approaching full time saw Bull put in a slow & clumsy challenge on the keeper as he toyed with a kick-out. 20 mins earlier, Bull had been warned for a hard but fair challenge on the keeper but this time, after consulting the linesman, the ref showed a red card. AFC fought to the end, challenging via two injury time Farquharson corners and a well taken Dow free kick which was gathered by a stretched & unhurt keeper at the post. But it was not to be.

FINAL WORDS : AFC fans left frustrated & confused by yet more questionable tactical & substitute changes. In the end, Stenhousemuir were poor but lucky whilst we were just poor. Ninth in the table with unsettled tactics & team.