Who are TNS’ Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup opponents Stenhousemuir?
The New Saints are in Falkirk this afternoon to take on Stenhousemuir in the third round of the Tunnock’s Caramel Wafer Challenge Cup.
Scott Ruscoe’s side fell at the first hurdle of last year’s edition, going out on penalties to Queen’s Park in the second round.
We’ve taken a closer look at their opponents, who play in the Scottish League Two.
History
The club, nicknamed Stenny, is 135 years old having been founded in 1884.
While their list of achievements is relatively short, they did win this competition back in the 1955-96 season.
The Warriors have had a couple of brief spells in the third tier of Scottish football, most recently as last season when they were relegated back to League Two after just one campaign.
Other honours include two victories in the now-defunct Scottish Qualifying Cup, as well as winning the Stirlingshire Cup on 11 occasions.
Who’s in charge?
Stenhousemuir are managed by former player Colin McMenamin.
The 38-year-old played 150 times for Stenny between 2014 and 2019, before hanging up his boots in January.
The former striker had a 19-year professional career which began at Newcastle United, and took in the likes of Livingston, Dundee and Ross County – as he made a total of 533 appearances.
McMenamin initially took charge as caretaker manager in November, and as of August 31 he has overseen 39 games, winning 10, drawing 10 and losing 19 with a win rate of 25.64%.
Where do they play?
The club play their home games at Ochilview Park, which has a capacity of 3746.
The ground opened in 1890, and, until April 2018, had also played host to East Stirlingshire; who began ground-sharing with Stenhousemuir in the 2008-09 season.
It has also hosted greyhound racing, and has a FIFA-approved two star synthetic surface.
One to watch
Mark McGuigan
The forward has been with Stenhousemuir since 2017, and has an impressive goal-scoring record, netting 37 times in 70 appearances.
The 30-year-old began his career with Blantyre Victoria back in 2007, and has gone on to represent the likes of Partick Thistle, Albion Rovers and Stranraer.
McGuigan was selected in the 2017-18 Scottish League Two Team of the Year, as Stenhousemuir secured promotion via the play-offs.
(Featured image: Lewis Mitchell)
