Stenhousemuir

Stenhousemuir welcome Falkirk in a local derby as both sides eye up a quarter-final spot in the Scottish Cup. Stenhousemuir knocked Championship Greenock Morton out after a convincing 4-0 victory to make it into this round whereas for the Bairns, they defeated high flying Hearts on penalties following a 1-1 draw at Tynecastle in the fourth round. An early corner for the visitors as Calvin Miller whips a ball in but Jamieson tips the ball away from any danger as the first chance is delt with well. Miller had a good chance after 12 minutes, a run towards the box where he fired a shot from distance which was just too high as Falkirk were unable to get ahead. Spencer with a ball over the defence into 19-year-old Broggio but it was by far an easy strike as his volley goes well over. A quiet but dominant first 20 by the Bairns with the Premiership side having a couple chances but failing to test Jamieson. For Stenny they have struggled to get the ball into the final third but other than that, haven’t started badly at all. Darren Jamieson to the rescue as first of all, a deflected strike right at the keeper well parried away which fell to Calvin Miller who took on a strike from inside the box which was brilliantly stopped once again in a quick fire double stop. Marsh soon after had a ball into the box which was met by Miller in which was a difficult chance and was smashed well into the stands. Stenny had their first chance as O’Reilly from distance decided to take one on but was just too wide of target as it went out for a goal-kick. Broggio had a cross into the box which found Marsh in the centre of the box which was struck goal bound but ended up being quite a simple stop for the Stenhousemuir number one. Stenny captain Buchanan was put into the book after 36 minutes as the defender looking to clear the ball as he did but dragged Marsh down with force in the afters which was very unneeded. Into the second half, Marsh had a ball into the back of the net but the flag was up and the goal was disallowed. 15 minutes into the second 45, Marsh again had a chance from distance but blazes over the bar. A Spencer strike from the edge of the box edges just past of goal which was the best chance of the second half as Falkirk come very close to firing ahead. Spencer had a major chance moments later, a free-kick from just outside the box but powerfully punched away by Jamieson. Ethan Ross had a chance of his own as the ball falls at his feet and cuts inside but his strike smashes wide of goal as Stenhousemuir continue to frustrate Falkirk. Calvin Miller with a ball into the box found Barney Stewart who headed it towards goal but tipped over calmly by the Stenny number one. Extra-time was required as Falkirk were unable to break down the Stenhousemuir defence throughout the game as the League One side force the Bairns’ into an additional half-hour. Into the additional period, the Falkirk pressure continued but just really struggled to test Jamieson in goal enough despite the dominance but the League One doing everything they can to defend their box. Adams was found in a tonne of space on the flank which was crossed into Wilson who passed it into Spencer who fired the shot wide in an effort he really has to be doing better in. Falkirk fired ahead just before half-time in extra-time as the ball landed to Spencer who took a couple touches and then smashed a nice clean strike which powerfully fired past Jamieson as the Premiership side finally find themselves ahead. Early into the second half in extra-time, Falkirk sealed up the win as a free-kick in from the goal scorer Spencer which found the head of Stewart who headed it into the net to seal a spot in the next round. The full-time whistle goes as two extra-time goals seal Falkirk’s place in the quarter-finals despite a strong showing by Stenhousemuir but no cup upset this evening at Ochilview Park. Stenhousemuir: D. Jamieson (6), Meechan (7), Graham (6), Buchanan (7), N. Jamieson (8), Bilham (6), McGill (6), O’Reilly (6), Whyte (6), Carrick (6), Aitken (6). Substitutes: Grant (6), Cameron (6), Ewan (5), Gray (6), Simpson (6). Falkirk: Bain (6), McCann (7), Adams (7), Neilson (6), Donaldson (6), Miller (7), Marsh (7), Tait (7), Spencer (9), Broggio (7), Graham (6). Substitutes: Stewart (8), Ross (8), Wilson (7), Nesbitt (6), Lissah (6), Allan (6).