Stenhousemuir duo earn monthly awards after stunning Scottish Championship start
Stenhousemuir’s record-breaking start to life in the second tier has been recognised, with boss Marvin Bartley and midfielder Lewis O’Donnell winning the Scottish Championship manager and player of the month awards for August respectively.
The Warriors, promoted to the second tier last season via the play-offs, have enjoyed a remarkable start to the league season. After five matches played, the Ochilview Park side sit top of the table, two points ahead of full-time Partick Thistle.
Under Bartley’s stewardship, Stenhousemuir’s new-look, younger squad are still unbeaten in competitive outings. During August, they earned a 1-1 draw away to Raith Rovers on the opening weekend before following that point up with three consecutive league victories.
The Warriors beat Greenock Morton 2-0 at home, Queen’s Park 2-0 on the road and Inverness Caley Thistle 3-1 at home.
After being named the Scottish Championship Glen’s Manager of the Month for August, Bartley beamed: “I am delighted – but it is down to the players, they are the ones who have to cross the while line and do the hard work in training.
"It’s easy to sit as a manager after receiving the award and make it all about them.
"I have a brilliant support staff here. It’s about everyone.
"We’ve got real clarity in what we’re trying to do, whether that’s on the ball, off the ball or from setplays, and the players have taken that on board really well.
“There are always areas where we can improve and that’s something we’ll continue to push. We’ve got a young group with a lot of potential and it’s up to us as a staff to keep helping them develop.
"Hopefully this isn’t too long a wait between my second manager of the month award and my third!”
One of Stenhousemuir’s star performers so far this season has been former Dundee United ace O’Donnell. The 21-year-old enjoyed a brilliant August, grabbing two goals and two assists during the Warriors’ five league fixtures.
His standout goalscoring contribution came in the final match of the month, when he struck twice during the 3-1 victory over Caley Thistle.
Outwith the league, the midfielder also played his role in Stenhousemuir’s shock Premier Sports Cup second round win over top-flight Motherwell.
The Warriors host Hearts tomorrow night in the quarter-finals thanks to that 1-0 success after extra-time on home turf.
"I’m buzzing, I really appreciate whoever it was that voted for me,” O’Donnell said.
“I’m delighted with how I have managed to start the season and hopefully that can continue.
"The team have been winning games and hopefully that also keeps on going. We want to carry that on.”