Gary Naysmith on Stenhousemuir's 'core group', Euan O'Reilly example and Kelty Hearts win

Gary Naysmith believes that building up a core group of reliable, hard-working players has paid off big time for Stenhousemuir after his side made it 13 matches without defeat in Scottish League One last Saturday.

The Warriors, who now sit just one point off leaders Inverness Caley Thistle with six matches remaining, chalked up a 2-0 win over bottom club Kelty Hearts at Ochilview Park to keep up their title challenge. Ross Taylor opened the scoring in style, taking down Euan O’Reilly’s cross and firing home on the half-volley after just seven minutes. And in-form Taylor again played a part in the second goal, teeing up Matty Aitken to finish late on after Ollie Simpson’s cracking run out wide.

Naysmith’s side have now won four out of their last five outings and have put the pressure on the Highlanders, who don’t have any more games in hand and also have to navigate the KDM Evolution Trophy final at the start of April before heading to Stenhousemuir the weekend after that cup showdown against Raith Rovers.

Stenhousemuir keep up with leaders

Reviewing Saturday’s victory, former Scotland full-back Naysmith said: “If I'm being honest, the only worry was getting that second goal. When the score is 1-0, the other team are always in the game. But we managed to score a really well-worked second to earn a well-deserved three-point. We're still having to be careful with him (Ross Taylor). He's still got this ongoing injury that we can't overplay him. He came off on Saturday because he was just starting to feel it a little bit again. We're still managing him really, but there's no doubt that he can have an impact when he is on the pitch, and he did that with a brilliant opener and playing his role in the second.

“We can only really focus on ourselves. We're in a good place just now. Finn Robson's back for a long-term injury. We've got to ease him in. We're just about back to full fitness. In theory, it's in our own hands. There will be twists and turns. If we can win all of our games, then we would win the league. But we have tough games coming up, starting with this Saturday’s trip to East Fife.”

O’Reilly marked his 200th appearance for the Warriors with an assist and Naysmith used the winger as a example of why the club has thrived so much over the past couple of campaigns.

Euan O’Reilly great example of Stenny’s success

“He's got the trust of me and his team-mates. He's clever and can play numerous positions. He can play as a wingback, midfielder and striker. First and foremost, he brings an immense work ethic to the team. And I think that's the secret - we've got a lot of players that have been with us for a while. I inherited Nicky (Jamieson), Mikey (Anderson) and Euan. Mikey's just extended his deal. Added to that are the players who we brought in, who have all been with us for nearly three years, Darren (Jamieson), Ross (Meechan) Ross (Taylor), Gregor (Buchanan), Kinlay (Bilham) and Matty Aitken.

“Most of them have over 100 appearances. I think that helps the squad. There's a set of core players and they sort of know what to expect. The standards that have been set are there and they just maintain it. It actually makes my job a little bit easier because I now know what to expect of them because they've been with us for so long.”

Stenhousemuir now travel to East Fife this Saturday hoping to keep the pressure on the leaders, who actually play the night before against Queen of the South at home. That presents a different challenge for the Warriors, knowing where they stand before a ball is kicked at Bayview.

“Of course there's going to be a bit of pressure on us either way,” Naysmith said. “It'll either be to get it back to one point or it'll be because we have a chance to go top of the table. East Fife will be wanting to make sure that they don't get dragged into the end of the season play-offs. It'll be a difficult game.”