Albion Rovers Preview

Manager, Dennis Newall, has thankfully seen most of his injury worries clear up just in time for tomorrow's match with Albion Rovers at Firs Park.

Only Paul Gaughan is certain to miss out. He's still suffering from the injury which has kept him on the sidelines for the past few weeks. Paul Tyrrell is still feeling the effects of the groin strain which forced him to limp out of the Elgin City game at half-time last week. He's listed in the doubtful category, but will be given right up until kick-off to prove his fitness.

Jamie MacKay suffered a nasty bang on the face against Elgin and missed Monday training as a result, but he should be fit enough to keep his place in the squad. Likewise, Johnny Walker's leg knock saw him miss the first of the week's two training sessions, although he should have recovered in time to play.

New signing, Jordan Smith, will be added to the squad, although the other of the week's new arrivals, Adam Owen, is short of match fitness and could have to wait for his first game. The squad was futher bolstered last night by the addition of former Stenhousemuir youth team player, Karl Lejmann, who was previously with Faulhouse United.

Shire Make Celtic Signing

Shire have gone to Celtic for the club's latest signing. 25 year old Welshman, Adam Owen, hasn't featured in any of Celtic's teams, but for the last eighteen months the Sports Scientist has been employed full-time at Parkhead working on the fitness of some of Scotland's household names.

The left sided midfielder spent three years on Wrexham's books before spells in the League of Wales with Newtown, Connah's Quay Nomads and Newi Cefyn Druids. He ended up on trial at Firs Park after meeting Shire's Assistant Manager, Gordon Wylde, whose teenage son is a member of Celtic's under-15 squad. Adam admits it was the prospect of getting back into playing that enticed him to Shire.

"I work every day with footballers, trying to improve their fitness and working on specialist training routines," he said. "But for the last year and a half I haven't been playing and have really missed it. I told Celtic I wanted to get back into the playing side of things and after meeting Gordon I decided to give it a go here."

Manager Dennis Newall has also completed the signing of Jordan Smith.The 23 year old defender signed after an unsuccessful three month spell with Arbroath. He made his Shire debut as a trialist in the 3-0 defeat at Queen's Park. Before joining Arbroath he spent a number of seasons at Albion Rovers.

Shire 0 Elgin City 2

Shire were left sitting at the bottom of the Third Division table after an uninspiring performance in the game that mattered more than any other so far this season. The team gifted Elgin City two goals while scarcely creating a chance worthy of the name. It was a huge let-down for everyone conected with the club.

Manager, Dennis Newall, promised changes after the previous week's defeat at Queen's Park and was true to his word. Johnny Walker made his return to the midfield, whilr Steven Dymock made his first start in the league since joining in the summer. Carl Thywissen and Steven Blair made way. Aaron Gillespie deputised for the unavailable Derek Jackson in goal.

And the home side could have the ideal start in just twlve minutes. Johnny Walker played the ball into Ally Graham, who, with his back to goal, laid it off to Iain Diack. Shire's top scorer hit a rasping shot which Kieron Renton in the Elgin goal saved brilliantly. But from there it was all downhiil.

There was an ominous moment in 17 minutes when Gillespie over committed himself, allowing Elgin Chris Gardiner to round him. Thankfully, the Elgin man managed to miss the empty net.

Elgin didn't pose too much of a threat after that, although they were presented with the opening goal on a plate after 42 minutes. Marin Johnston broke clear and was brought down by Gillespie. The Shire keeper was booked and Mark Booth gave Elgin the lead from the penalty spot.

The visitors' half-time substitute, Gary Wood, threatened to run riot after coming on. Within five minutes of the re-start he had missed two empty goals. Later on, he was unlucky to see his shot comev back off the post. Shire's own half-time sub, Andy Brand, came closest for the home team with a 20 yarder which had Renton scrambling.

Shire gambled on getting an equaliser late on. But Ally Graham couldn't get his header from Johnny Walker's cross on target, although he did come close. Then Iain Diack was unlucky to see his shot on the turn drift just over the bar. Five minutes from the end Elgin went 2-0 up. Mark Tyrrell was caught in possession, allowing Johnston to race clear and score with a low shot under Gillespie's body.

Shire : Gillespie, MacKay(Thywissen 81), Livingstone, Oates, M. Tyrrell, Walker, Dymock, P. Tyrrell(Brand 46), Diack, Graham, Ure.

Elgin City : Renton, Cumming, Dempsie, J. McKenzie, Kaczan, Scullion(Easton 87), Bremner(Wood 46), Booth, Johnston, Gardiner(Melrose 70), Muir.

Referee : Willie Collum.

Attendance : 201.

Elgin City Preview

Manager Dennis Newall knows tomorrow's encounter with Elgin City at Firs Park is a vital one, but is trying hard not to overplay it. "Yes, we know it's an important match," he said. "But the last thing we need to do is build it up into a pressure pot for the players. We need them relaxed and fit and raring to go."

Newall is promising changes. One will be enforced with Aaron Gillespie deputising for Derek Jackson in goal. Derek is on holiday, so the number two comes in between the sticks. "It's a chance for Aaron to show us what he can do," said Newall. It seems certain Johnny Walker will return to the Shire midfield tomorrow after serving a two games ban. Andy Brand, who made a late substitute appearance at Hampden last weekend, could also feature. Paul Gaughan is again an injury doubt with a groin strain, but there are no other injury or suspension worries.

Two Free To Go

Two of Shire's fringe players have left the club by mutual consent. Brian Gordon and Mark Gourlay have been released from their contracts to pursue further other options. 19 year old Brian came to the club during the summer moths have featured in St. Mirren's youth set-up. He made a number of first team appearances while Mark Tyrrell was on holiday, but failed to feature after Mark's return. Mark Gourlay only played in one match, the CIS Cup tie with Queen's Park, when the club was down to the bare bones with injuries.

Queen's Park 3 Shire 0

This was another in a long line of trips to Hampden that belongs in the "best forgotten" category. Shire simply never performed on the day, and were lucky to be only two goals behinde after a woeful first half. The team managed to stem the tide in the second and created a couple of useful chances but it is impossible to escape the fact that this was a collective failure right the way through the personnel.

Shire set their stall out to contain Queen's Park and stifle any creativity with a five man midfield. It was a policy which did not work. Instead, Shire retreated to the edge of their own 18 yard box and waiting for the home team to come at them. The result was inevitable. The Spiders warmed round the visitor's goal and the only surprise was it took so long for them to score. When they did, the goal was simplicity itself. Paul Harvey accepted a square pass just outside the box and hit it first time, low past an unsighted Derek Jackson.

The team had barely time to collect their thoughts when the Spiders scored again. This time Stewart Kettlewell was allowed all the time and space he required to take aim from 25 yards before hitting an unstoppable shot high into the roof of the net.

Shire were in a mess and only the post prevented Kettlewell making it 3-0, while David Weatherston was inches away from turning the livewire winger's cross into the net. Tactical changes were required and Steven Blair was replaced by Steven Dymock, who joined Iain Diack up front. Ally Graham played just behind them , while a four man midfield did a better containing job than the five had.

It could have been interesting if David Crawford hadn't pulled off a great save from Derek Ure at the start of the second half, but to make a game of it Shire had to score early in the second periodand that didn't happen. And as the period wore on even a consolation began to look less likely. In fact, with seven minutes to go Queens substitute, John Weir, who had only been on the pitch a minute converted a left wing cross to make it 3-0.

Queen's Park : Crawford, Clark, Dunlop, Reilly, McGinty, Harvey(Weir 82), Kettlewell(Trouten 75), Quinn, Whelan(Bowers 70), Weatherston, Ferry.

Shire : Jackson, Livingstone, M. Tyrrell, Oates, MacKay, Blair(Dymock 40), Thywissen(Trialist 70), P. Tyrrell, Diack, Graham, Ure(Brand 83).

Referee : Alan Boyd

Attendance : 454

Queen's Park Preview

Shire should fear no-one. That's the defiant message being sent out ahead of tomorrow's trip to Queen's Park. "We go into the game with a lot of confidence," manager Dennis Newall told Zebra Diary. "I believe we have the kind of players at the club who are capable of beating any team in the division.

"It will be a tough game and we may have to be at our best to take something out of it, but we have to go there with belief that we can give it our best shot. There's no point turning up if you don't believe you can win, " he said.

Shire should be unchanged from the squad which drew last week with Montrose. Andy Brand is still not fit after sustaining a serious knee injury in the opening game of the season against Cowdenbeath. "He is about another week away before he is able to kick a ball seriously again," said the manager. Johnny Walker's serving the second of a two match ban imposed after his sending-off in the last game of last season.

Queen's Park have strengthened since they beat Shire 3-1 in the CIS Cup last month. "We know where the threat from them lies. We have had them watched, although some of their key players didn't play, but we will still know how to tackle them," said Newall.

"Tiredness" A Factor In Weekend Display

Manager Dennis Newall says tiredness may have been a factor in the below-par display against Montrose on Saturday. Newall admitted the team, "got a kicking" in the second half during which the visitors missed a penalty and a couple of sitters before taking the lead with eight minutes to go. Steven Dymock saved Shire's bacon with a superb last minute equaliser to salvage a 1-1 draw.

But Newall says the effort of beating Falkirk in the Stirlingshire Cup the previous Tuesday may have played a part in what many think was a disjointed, not to say disappointing, Shire display.

"I have been thinking about it over the weekend, and the Falkirk match may have taken a lot out of the players, " said Newall. "We didn't play as well as we would have liked but the main thing from my viewpoint is that we managed to get something oiut of the game. That point is another platform we can build on."

The manager also says the search for new players goes on. "That is something we are always trying to address. We know the areas we need to improve on and, without wishing to put any undue pressure on the players who are here, we will always be looking for quality people to bring in. That process will go on irrespective of the fact that the transfer window is now closed."

Shire 1 Montrose 1

Second half substitute, Steven Dymock, salvaged a point for Shire with an 89th minute equaliser after it seemed the club would once again be sunk by a late Montrose goal.

A left wing corner drifted over the Dymock on the back edge of the box and he cracked in a superb effort past Montrose keeper Andy Reid. Dymock was mobbed by his teammates in relief more than anything else, and in appreciation that he had got them out of jail after a well-below par performance.

Shire may have lined-up with just one change from the team that beat Falkirk in midweek, with Steven Blair replacing the suspended Johnny Walker, but they were a shadow of their Tuesday night selves. That said, Iain Diack spurned a 16th minute chance that, had it gone in, may have led to better things. His shot from the edge of the six yard box drifted across the face of goal and wide, though.

With five minutes of the first period to go, Blair whipped over a nice cross but Diack's header drifted wide. Montrose hardly troubled Shire in the opening half, but four minutes after the break Derek Jackson was forced to pull off a fine one-handed save from Steve Kerrigan's 20 yard drive.

In 59 minutes the visitors were presented with the perfect opportunity to hit the front. Andy Cargill went down inside the box under a challenge from Derek Ure and referee Alan Boyd pointed to the penalty spot. Willie Martin's effort was saved by Jackson, who also beat away Martyn Fotheringham's shot from the rebound.

Shire were now coming under more pressure and Montrose were creating good chances. Fotheringham hit the post with a shot from the edge of the box and Greg Henslee somehow managed to shoot over the bar when standing on the goalline. Shire's luck held until the 82nd minute when substitute Calum Watson cut the ball back for Henslee to score from close range.

They paid a heavy price for their earlier misses, though, when Dymock, who had replaced Steven Blair on 71 minutes, collected a corner at the back post and rifled a low, true shot through a ruck of players into the net.

Shire : Jackson, Livingstone, M. Tyrrell, Oates, MacKay, Blair(Dymock 71), Thywissen, P. Tyrrell, Diack, Graham, Ure.

Montrose : Reid, Dodds, E. Smith, McKenzie, Doyle, Kerrigan, Hall, Fotheringham, Martin, Cargill(Watson 65), Henslee.

Referee : A. Boyd.

Attendance : 195.

Shire 2 Falkirk 1

A wonder goal from Ally Graham clinched Shire's place in the Stirlingshire Cup Final against either Alloa or Stirling Albion. Graham's 61st minute goal capped a fighting Shire comeback after in-form striker Iain Diack had cancelled out Alan Gow's strike which had given Falkirk a half-time lead. By the end of an entertaining 90 minutes there was no doubt Shire were worthy winners.

Boss Dennis Newall brought Johnny Walker into the starting eleven after his return from Carnoustie Panmure, and altered the formation to 3-5-2, with Mark Tyrrell making his first start since the opening league match of the season. Falkirk included seven players with extensive first team experience, and in John O'Neil and Alan Gow had two in their starting line-up who had played for the Bairns in this season's SPL.

It was Shire who shone first and Graham could have given them the lead in the sixth minute, but his powerful header from Scott Livingstone's cross was tipped over the bar by Bairns' keeper Darren Hill.Falkirk responded with an Andy Thomson shot which flew over the bar.

Shire were holding their own and might have had a goal in 25 minutes but at least three players delayed their shots when well-placed and Carl Thywissen's effort skewed wide of goal.Falkirk took the lead on 29 minutes when Gow picked up O'Neil's defence splitting pass and fired low past Derek Jackson. Pedro Mutinho should have made it 2-0 on 43 minutes but he was denied by a great stop from Jackson. At the other end Livingstone's netbound effort was deflected wide for a fruitless corner.

Just six minutes into the second half Shire brought the scores level. Bairns substitute Scott Arfield tried to guide a long throw-in back to his keeper but failed to notice Diack lurking behind him and the Shire striker guided the ball home for his sixth goal of the season. Diack should have put his team in front just two minutes later but his shot from Livingstone's cross didn't possess the necessary power and Hill saved.

But Shire were clarly on top and on 61 minutes Graham collected the ball wide on the left and sent a looping shot over Hill and into the far corner of the net to give the home team the lead. Falkirk pressed hard for an equaliser which should have arrived in 64 minutes when Mutinho volleyed from the edge of the box but Jackson tipped the ball over the bar.

Falkirk had most of the possession in the closing minutes but it was Shire, not the Bairns, who came closest to scoring in the final ten minutes when Thywissen's header was cleared off the line by Ryan McStay.

Shire :Jackson, Livingstone, M. Tyrrell, Oates, MacKay, Walker(Blair 53), Thywissen, P. Tyrrell, Diack, Graham(Gaughan 75), Ure(Dymock 70).

Falkirk : Hill, Ross, Twaddle, Scobie, MacAloney, McStay, O'Neil(Arfield 46), MacSween, Thomson(Manson 78), Gow, Mutinho(Ramsay 78).

Referee : S. Finnie.

Attendance : 441.

Cup Tie Team News

Shire are at almost full strength for tonight's visit of Falkirk in the Stirlingshire Cup. Andy Brand's knee injury means he will play no part in proceedings. Steven Blair is suffering from a foot injury and may not be risked with Saturday's vital league game against Montrose in mind. In addition, Johnny Walker is likely to be added to the squad after re-joining Shire from Tayside junior team, Carnoustie Panmure. Some tickets for the match are still available from Firs Park, and any left will be on sale up until kick-off.

Johnny Walker Is Back

Midfielder Johnny Walker has returned to Shire only two months after leaving the club to turn junior. The 31 year old told Shire in July he had been made an offer he could not refuse by Tayside team, Carnoustie Panmure. But two months of training and playing in the north-east combined with trying to hold down a job in Glasgow took their toll. After deciding he could no longer put up with the travelling, Johnny decided to give Dennis Newall a call and has been welcomed back into the fold. He could make his return to Shire colours in tonight's Stirlingshire Cup tie against Falkirk.

Shire 1 Raith Rovers 1

Shire manager, Dennis Newall, gave just about every player in the squad a run out in their closed-door match against Raith Rovers. Only long-term injury victim, Andy Brand, and Steven Blair, who has a slight foot knock, were rested. Three trialists, a goalkeeper, a defender and a midfielder also played against a lively, young Raith Rovers team. The match was used to have a look at the trialists but also to try some tactical switches, which included playing Derek Ure at left wing-back. Afterwards, the manager seemed pleased with the run out which, as far as the players were concerned, certainly beat a night's training.