"We Gave A Creditable Performance," Wylde

Shire ended their season with a 2-1 defeat at Arbroath. Despite the defeat the team's second half performance was a real positive, and the backing given by the band of Shire fans at Gayfield did not go unnoticed. Here's what Gordon Wylde had to say to reporters after the game.

Arbroath 2 Shire 1

Shire ended their season with what seemed an inevitable defeat at play-of chasing Arbroath, but it was by no means the thrashing many Firs Park fans had feared beforehand, or seemed likely at the interval when the team were 2-0 down.
The players got their act together and created more, and better chances after the break. By full-time, the feeling was they could have claimed a draw, and no-one at Arbroath could have argued if bottom of the table Shire had gone away with a point.
Boss Gordon Wylde indicated his intention not to allow Arbroath a clear run into the play-offs by playing three men up front. He also gave a debut to keeper Matt Carr, leaving Derek Jackson on the bench.
Within ten minutes it seemed as though his bold plan had badly backfired. Carr should have saved Gavin Swankie’s eighth minute shot easily but instead spooned the ball nicely to the inrushing Jay Stein who opened the scoring and settled Arbroath’s nerves in the same instant. The home team threatened to run riot for while and looked every bit as dominant as they had in the 7-2 win they had recorded in Shire’s last visit to the ground.
After 27 minutes Scott Livingstone yanked Andy Reilly down inside the Shire box and referee Willie Hornby had no hesitation in awarding Arbroath a penalty kick. Carr redeemed his earlier mistake, though, saving Swankie’s spot kick.
But Arbroath only had to wait three more minutes before they eventually did double their advantage. The Shire defence made a fearful mess of clearing a corner kick and Robbie Raeside, still in the box after the corner kick, managed to prod the ball home to make it 2-0.
Stein was running the show and should have made it 3-0 just short of the half time interval, but his curling shot from the edge of the Shire box shaved the top of Carr’s crossbar.
The second half started in much the same manner as the first with Arbroath making a beeline for the Shire goal. Stein and Swankie both had good efforts which went narrowly wide. But slowly Shire’s attacking policy started to pay dividends. After an hour Paul Gaughan found Marc McKenzie unmarked at the back post. The wee winger should have burst the net but blazed the ball over the bar.
Five minutes later Shire did find the target. Jamie MacKay crossed from the right, keeper Neil Inglis missed the ball completely, and Jordan Smith headed home unmarked at the back post. Suddenly, Shire had the initiative and twice McKenzie was clean through with only Inglis to beat but fluffed his shot on each occasion.
Arbroath fans were whistling to the referee urging him to blow the final whistle, while the players were indulging in a spot of time-wasting. They had their hearts in their mouths when Derek Ure flashed a header narrowly wide of goal in the closing minutes, but it was too little to late.

Brand To Undergo Wrist Surgery

Andrew Brand is to undergo a summer operation to heal his damaged wrist. He has broken his left wristbone twice this season, injuries which have limited his appearances since January.

The operations will be carried out over the summer and may mean him missing the start of the new season. It is understood doctors are concerned about the bone not healing properly and have decided to rebuild the wrist using bone taken from his hip.

Andrew looked as though he was about to settle into a rich vein of form when an awkward fall in the 1-0 home win over Montrose in January led to a broken wrist. It took him six weeks to recover and, in his first match back, also against Montrose, he suffered much the same injury. He played on for a couple of weeks with a light cast on his wrist but doctor's orders meant he had to stop playing. It's not yet known when the surgery will take place or how much of the pre-season he will miss as a result.

Shire Over Lancashire

Plans have been revealed for Shire to play a pre-season friendly against Blackburn Rovers.

The club is hoping to arrange a two match tour of the north-west of England in July which would include a game against the English Premiership outfit's Academy team. Shire boss, Gordon Wylde, is still in negotiations with the Ewood Park club to play the game on Saturday 15th July at Blackburn's well-appointed training ground.

He is also seeking a game on the Friday night. So far Oldham Athletic, Blackpool and Lancaster City have all been mentioned as potential opponents although, again, nothing has been finalised.

The Stirlingshire Cup games with Falkirk and Stenhousemuir will also be part of Shire's build up to the 2006/07 season, while Wylde has also been in touch with Dunfermline and St. Mirren to see if they would be prepared to play matches at Firs Park.

Arbroath Preview

Shire go into the final match of the 2005/06 season in better shape than seemed the case at the start of the week. The doubts over the participation of Scott Livingstone and Marc McKenzie have cleared up and both will travel to Gayfield. Also included is Henry Sobolewski whose knee injury which forced him off before half-time against Berwick last week is not as bad as first feared and he could play.

Mark Tyrrell will return to the centre of defence after missing the Berwick match should strengthen that patricular department. However, there will still be a number of key absences. Those not making the trip are Paul Tyrrell, Andrew Brand, Mark Molloy, Gary Walsh and Stephen Oates.

Stirlingshire Cup-Tie Confirmed

The club has today (Thursday) confirmed the home Stirlingshire Cup game with Falkirk will go ahead at Firs Park on Wednesday 26th July 2006 with a 7:30p.m. kick off. The pre-season date fits in with the wishes of the Stirlingshire F.A. who want to see the games played during the build-up to the 2006/07 campaign. To that end, each club will be allowed to field up to two trialists in each match.

It's not yet known if, like last season, the match will be all-ticket. Given the level of interest in Falkirk before the new season starts we suspect the police will probably insist, and it could well exceed the crowd which turned up for this season's match in September, which Shire won 2-1 with goals from Ally Graham and Iain Diack.

Midweek Update

Shire have big problems for the final match of the season against Arbroath at Gayfield. The latest injury casualty is Marc McKenzie who suffered some mild concussion following a head knock in the 1-0 defeat against Berwick Rangers. He is very unlikely to feature at Gayfield.

Another cause for concern is Scott Livingstone who is nursing a hamstring problem, although he will be given every chance to prove his fitness. It seems, though, that Andrew Brand, Paul Tyrrell, Stephen Oates, Mark Molloy and Gary Walsh will not be considered for selection due to a variety of problems. Only Mark Tyrrell will be added to the travelling squad from the long list of those who missed the Berwick Rangers game.

"We have to go in a positive mood," Gordon Wylde told Zebra Diary. "I really want to spring a surprise on them, but that will depend on what is available to me. Arbroath have plenty to play for and had a good win at East Fife last week. We will certainly go there and give it our best shot."

Arbroath are locked in a three-way battle for the one remaining play-off position. At the moment they are in the box seat, but with Elgin behind on goal difference and Queen's Park just a point further back the pressure will be on them to win.

Shire Prize Guys Rewarded

Shire supporters, coaching staff, players along with their families and friends headed to the Gordon Lounge after the 1-0 defeat against Berwick Rangers for the annual Awards Ceremony. Shire supporters chose Paul Tyrrell as their Player Of The Year. Unfortunately, the injured winner was not at the game to collect the Jimmy McLaughlan Memorial Shield. The others did receive their prizes.

A smiling Steven Dymock was the Shire supporters' choice as their Young Player Of The Year.

Derek Ure was the Player's Player Of The Year. He is pictured with the Garry Wilson Memorial Trophy.

Shire keeper Derek Jackson won this year's Coventry Supporters' Player Of The Year.

Wylde Praises Players In Defeat

Shire boss, Gordon Wylde, praised his players despite going down 1-0 to title challengers Berwick Rangers at Firs Park. Shire were four minutes away from getting a draw which would have dented Berwick's promotion aspirations. Hear what the Shire boss had to say to reporters by pressing "play".

Shire 0 Berwick Rangers 1

Of the top teams to visit Firs Park this season Stenhousemuir and Cowdenbeath both had experienced what it was to drop points there. Berwick Rangers were just four minutes away from finding out how their promotion rivals felt.

They were saved from the embarrassment of a draw at bottom side Shire only thanks to a goal from on-loan Falkirk man Stephen Manson after 86 minutes. The blond substitute had been on the pitch fewer than ten minutes when he thumped a shot past Shire keeper Derek Jackson from just inside the box after the home defence had failed to clear a cross properly.

The Berwick celebrations were all about relief because they must have been wondering if they were ever going to find their way to goal. Shire, reduced to just a skeleton squad by injuries and call-offs had frustrated a team with geniune championship aspirations, and given the nature of the team Gordon Wylde was able to field, that was no mean feat.

Steven Dymock returned after injury but Mark Tyrrell was added to a list of absent automatic starters which meant the Firs Parkers had fewer than half their first choice eleven on the pitch.

They could have been a goal down after just two minutes. David Murie's free-kick was headed goalwards by Kevin Haynes and Derek Jackson was forced to pull off the first of a number of good saves. Jackson was at it again after 22 minutes, making a fine near post stop to deny Haynes after he had left two Shire defenders in his wake. The Berwick man then sent in a 20 yarder which shaved the top of the crossbar.

But Shire had their moments. Marc McKenzie's shot from 20 yards was fumbled by the Berwick keeper Gary O'Connor, although he made amends with a fine stop from Paul Tweedie, who had picked up the rebound.

After the interval Berwick seemed to run out of ideas. Shire, using McKenzie down the right, managed to get in behind the visiting defence a number of times. Unfortunately, his efforts came to nothing as twice Tweedie shot wide when wel-placed.

Jackson was Shire's hero in 61 minutes when he made a great save from Danny Swanson's free-kick and the Berwick midfielder came close with a 20 yarder five minutes later. However, as the game wore on Berwick looked to have run out of ideas when Manson replaced Kevin McLeish. It turned out to be the game's turning point.

Berwick Rangers Preview

Less than 48 hours before the game Shire boss Gordon Wylde admitted he did not know his team for the clash with promotion chasing Berwick Rangers. The reason is simple; injuries. The depleted Shire team which lost 5-0 has been weakened further by the news that Mark Tyrrell will not play. He is added to a list of potential absentees which includes his brother Paul, Steven Dymock, Gary Walsh, Mark Molloy, Andrew Brand and Steven Blair.

If all seven are ruled out it leaves Shire with just 14 fit players, and two of them are goalkeepers. Jamie MacKay, who has played 19 minutes of football since October could come into the reckoning, especially as Stephen Oates is continuing to play through the pain barrier.

Berwick need the points to keep up any last hope of claiming the Third Division title. If they drop any points at all tomorrow Cowdenbeath could become champions with a game to go. The three previous meetings have all been decided by one goal. At Shielfield in August Shire lost 3-2, a score which everyone admitted rather flatered them.

However, Shire were 1-0 up for a long time in the last Firs Park game before losing disappintingly 2-1, while only a penalty goal gave Berwick a win in the borders in February. A sizable travelling support is expected for Shire's last home game of the season. Kick-off at Firs Park is 3p.m.

Jordan Smith Gets SPFA Nomination

Jordan Smith has been nomiated for the SPFA Third Division Player Of The Year. The Shire centre-half is the surprise selection in the voting among his fellow professionals. The 23 year old started the current season with Arbroath after being released by Albion Rovers. But he failed to win a long-term deal at Gayfield and Dennis Newall, who was youth coach at Cliftonhill when Jordan was a player there snapped him up.

Jordan has been a mainstay for Shire's beleagured defence this season, putting in a great amount of effort for absolutely no reward. He is the first Shire player to be nominated for the award since Steve Hislop in 2000/01 season, and he won it. The others to recieve nominations are Markus Paatelainen (Cowdenbeath), Colin Cramb (Stenhousemuir) and Chris McGroarty (Berwick Rangers). McGroarty has Shire connections as he spent the last half of last season with the club after being released by Clyde.

The recognition is at least one piece of good news for the club in an otherwise miserable season.

Midweek Update

Shire faced a Cumbernauld United side on Monday night with a mixture of fringe players, those coming back from injury and three trialists. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. Boss Gordon Wylde admits he is still struggling to field a team against Berwick Rangers on Saturday. Paul Tyrrell, Gary Walsh, Mark Molloy and Steven Dymock are all still struggling. Steven Blair and Andrew Brand have long term injuries and will not feature.

Wylde Claims Wounds Were Self-Inflicted

Shire boss, Gordon Wylde, did not have his problems to seek before the trip to Cowdenbeath. Facing the league leaders with half a dozen players missing was not ideal.
But he was making no excuses for the players who did turn out in the 5-0 defeat. He told reporters after the Central Park reverse the wounds were self-inflicted. Press "play" below to hear what he said.

Cowdenbeath 5 Shire 0

Cowdenbeath exacted some kind of revenge, if that's the right phrase, for the points they dropped at Firs Park ten days ago. But although there was no doubt the league leaders deserved their victory, the final tally still flattered them.

A Shire team depleted by injury and call offs tried hard to compete and restricted Cowden to just the one goal before the interval, but Shire's dozy defending cost them as they handed their dangerous opponents the kind of opportunities to score they really could not miss.

Gordon Wylde had to scratch around to find eleven fit players to start the game. Definately out were Steven Dymock, Steven Blair, Andrew Brand, Paul Tyrrell, Mark Molloy and Gary Walsh, all of them considered first choice starters. In came Scott Livingstone for his first game since February and Carl Thywissen, Paul Gaughan and Graham McWilliam, normally bit-part players in the Firs Park scheme of things, were all pressed into action.

After nine minutes came the first piece of action, and it should have brought Shire a penalty. Paul Tweedie's shot from the edge of the box was clearly handled by Gary Fusco but referee Alan Boyd chose to do nothing. From that moment on it was clear how Shire's day was going to pan out.

Confirmation of that came on 17 minutes. Graham Guy's ball into the box was deflected into the path of Liam Buchanan. His shot was saved but not held by Derek Jackson and David McKenna was first to the rebound, netting from the edge of the six yard box. Shire had Jackson to thank for a fine save from McKenna just after the half hour and McWillam prevented the home team scoring, this time clearing a McKenna shot off the line.

But the promotion chasers were not to be denied after the interval. Two minutes into the second half the Shire defence made a mess of dealing with a simple cross from Buchanan and Armand One was on hand to tap-in number two at the back post. The game then went through a bit of a lull and Tweedie missed a great chance to reduce the lead on 66 minutes, flashing a header from Mark Tyrrell's cross wide when it seemed easier to score.

Cowden came back and Baxter hit the post on 69 minutes. It was just a taste of things to come. A minute later the Shire defence failed to cut out a routine corner from Graham Guy, allowing One the easiest of headers to make it 3-0. Seven minutes later another Buchanan cross, and again the Shire defence let the ball drift to the back post where One was waiting unmarked to complete his hat-trick. After 79 minutes Baxter's simple pass released McKena clean through on goal and his chip over the advancing Jackson was the best finish of the afternoon.

The visitors fought hard and no-one can fault their effort, but their inability to deal with balls into the box from wide areas cost them dear.

Cowdenbeath Preview

Manager Gordon Wylde will welcome back the Tyrrell brothers for the visit to Cowdenbeath. Mark's ankle injury, which forced him to miss the 2-1 win over East Fife, has improved enough to allow him to start. Paul's business commitments are due to wind up tonight (Friday) which should mean he will take part.

Scott Livingstone and Jamie MacKay are not quite fit enough for a starting role at Central Park, but both should be on the bench and could make some contribution. Definately out are Andrew Brand, Steven Blair and Steven Dymock. Mark Molloy picked up a hamstring injury in training this week and will be receiving treatment.

Shire drew 1-1 with Cowdenbeath at Firs Park just ten days ago, and Wylde says his team will not be put off having a go simply because they are top of the Third Division table. "It will be tough, but we go there with every intention of winning the match," he told Zebra Diary.

Stirlingshire Cup Draw

Shire have been given an all-Falkirk draw for the 2006/07 Stirlingshire Cup. This season Shire will be at home to Falkirk and away at Stenhousemuir in the County Cup.

The Stirlingshire FA is once again trying to get clubs to play the matches pre-season. To help them do this it has relaxed the rule which meant they could only used signed players. From 2006/07 they will be allowed two trialists in each 16 man squad.

This season Shire beat Dumbarton 1-0 at The Rock, thanks to a Steven Dymock goal and, famously, won 2-1 against a good Falkirk side at Firs Park, the goals coming from Iain Diack and Ally Graham. Their efforts won home advantage for the final against Stirling Albion, but Shire lost 3-1.

Shire 2 East Fife 1

Carl Thywissen's close-range header with five minutes left gave Shire a welcome home win over East Fife that was achieved against the run of play. Despite taking the lead after four minutes through Derek Ure, the Firs Parkers at times struggled to contain a Methil outfit who had the edge over them. The visitors equalised in 29 minutes, hit the post , forced Derek Jackson into some fine saves and had what seemed like a perfectly good goal disallowed.

Shire rode their luck then delived the sucker punch which must have been hard for the Fifers to take as, for once, Lady Luck seemed to smile on them. Gordon Wylde did not have his problems to seek beforehand. Both Paul and Mark Tyrrell were unavailable and Steven Dymock failed a late fitness test. Carl Thywissen returned and was pressed into service as an emergency right-back. Stephen Oates moved to left full-back and the midfield was packed with Paul Tweedie as the sole striker.

It was Tweedie who paved the way for Shire's opener after just four minutes. He shot from the edge of the box, the ball deflected off a visiting defender straight into the path of Ure who finished well from inside the penalty box. After that East Fife enjoyed most of the ball.

But they created just one good chance, a drive from John Bradford which Derek Jackson did well to hold. The visitors did turn the screw in terms of pressure as the half wore on and equalised with a nicely-taken goal just short of the half hour. The ball was played in to Kevin Gordon on the edge of the penalty box. The former Shire man cleverly laid it off to the inrushing Craig Smart who hit a sweet shot past Jackson.

Shire were lucky to survive going behind before the interval. Gordon hit the post with a free-kick, Jackson had to push a netbound Gavin Beith effort round the post for a corner and then produced a spectacular diving save to stop Paul Hampshire scoring.

The second period began with Henry Sobolewski making way for Mark Molloy. Things were a bit more even, although Shire were given a massive let-off in 64 minutes. Thywissen and Jackson got themselves into a terrible fanckle trying to deal with a harmless looking ball into the box. As the Shire men collided with each other Smart stepped in to fire the ball into the empty net. Referee Steven Finnie chalked the "goal" off, however, believing Smart had fouled the Shire keeper.

There were a couple more let-offs. Jackson made a great save from Gary Kelly's free-kick from just outside the box and Smart had another good effort saved. Then, with the game headed for a draw, Ure burst into the East Fife box and chipped over a cross to the near post which Thywissen headed with just enough power to beat Dodds for Shire's winner.

East Fife Preview

Manager Gordon Wylde has more problems ahead of the match with East Fife. Neither Paul or Mark Tyrrell will feature and Steven Dymock is again extremely doubtful. Spade's ankle injury was made worse by playing in Tuesday night's draw, while his brother misses out once again due to work commitments.

Dymock will be given every chance to get himself fit but Shire's top scorer was unable to take part in Thursday night's training session. More positively, Mark Molloy will return to the team; he missed the Cowden match because he was working night shift. Carl Thywissen and Scott Livingstone both trained last night, Shaggy could be forced back into service straight away simply because of the lack of numbers. Scott and fellow returnee Jamie MacKay will be on the bench.

Shire have already beaten East Fife this season. Paul Tyrrell's 82nd minute goal gave them a 2-1 win at New Bayview on February 11th. The Fifer's last visit to Firs Park gave them a 2-1 win, again with a late goal. The match marked Ally Graham's last game for Shire. He ended it early after being sent-off.

Shire 1 Cowdenbeath 1

Shire claimed their most unexpected, and best, result of the season against promotion-chasing Cowdenbeath at Firs Park on Tuesday night.

Just days after the disappointing defeat at Albion Rovers which had all but condemned Shire to a fourth successive last place finish in the Third Division table, the Firs Parkers pulled out all the stops to prevent Cowdenbeath taking over the top spot. And they did it with only half a team.

Ther crippling list of absentees was added to by Steven Dymock, Mark Molloy and Paul Tyrrell. They were replaced by Paul Gaughan, Henry Sobolewski and Graham McCwilliam. Shire started with a 4-5-1 formation with Paul Tweedie the sole striker, supported when possible by Derek Ure.

But the opening quarter hour had the expected look about it. After just four minutes Armand One headed Liam Buchanan's cross onto the roof of the net. Then the tall Frenchman had a netbound effort cleared off the line by Shire keeper Derek Jackson. And only a superb saving tackle from Stephen Oates prevented Buchanan giving Cowden the lead.

But Shire found their feet and Jordan Smith was unlucky not to score with a shot from a Gary Walsh corner which was deflected behind by a visiting defender. The home team started to play with a bit more confidence, although their 34th minute opener was still a surprise. Mark Tyrrell flighted a free kick into the boxand Paul Tweedie rose higher than anyone to send a firm header past former Shire keeper David Hay.

Cowden re-grouped at half-time and within a minute of the re-start should have equalised. Darren McGregor's header from Gary Fusco's corner hit the bar, though. After 58 minutes One set up David McKenna with a great chance but he blazed over, although Tweedie was unlucky not to have doubled Shire's advantage on the hour mark. Only a desperate block by McGregor stopped him scoring.

After 71 minutes the Cowden fans were cheering. Shire keeper Derek Jackson fumbled a rather weak shot from McKenna and substitute Paul McBride, who had only been on the pitch a minute, rammed home the equaliser. Shire gave Cowden a scare in the 80th minute when Derek Ure's angled drive hit the visitor's crossbar but Cowden wasted great chances in the last few minutes to clinch all three points. Their frustrations boiled over in injury time when Fusco was sent-off for arguing with the referee.

Wooden Spoon Ours Says Wylde

Shire manager Gordon Wylde is admitting the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Albion Rovers probably means a fourth successive last place finish for the club. He told reporters after the Cliftonhill defeat that a poor start cost the team dear.

Albion Rovers 2 Shire 0

Shire all but assured themselves of a fourth successive wooden spoon with a lacklustre display at Cliftonhill. Rovers were a goal up after just four minutes and, against a Shire team who haven't scored since February, they comfortably held on to victory after adding a second midway through the first half.

Gordon Wylde rung the changes again. Andrew Brand, Paul Gaughan and Alan Patrick all dropped out of the team beaten 3-0 at Elgin a week earlier. In came Stephen Oates, Mark Tyrrell and Paul Tweedie, signed during the week from Bannockburn Amateurs after impressing recently as a trialist.

Tweedie partnered Marc McKenzie up front with Steven Dymock playing wide on the right. Mark Tyrrell formed a central defensive pairing with Jordan Smith, Oates started at right-back with Derek Ure at left-back.

Whatever tactical masterplan Wylde had in mind was as good as consigned to the rubbish bin before five minutes were on the clock. A failure to mark the runner into thr box as Wallace played the ball forward left Scott Chaplain with the relatively easy task of slotting the ball past Derek Jackson. Within a minute of the re-start Wallace was clean through on goal but his touch let him down and the chance was gone.

Shire were a defensive shambles but McKenzie forced Rovers' keeper Gary McGlynn into a 14th minute save. From Gary Walsh's corner Jordan Smith had a netbound effort headed off the line by Tommy Lennox , then McKenzie forced another good save from McGlynn with the rebound. But that was about as good as it got.

Rovers created the best openings and on 24 minutes went into a commanding 2-0 lead. Gordon Lennon's long free-kick was launched from his own half into the penalty box. Wallace flicked on and Chaplain was al on his own at the back post to double the home team's advantage.

Shire were able to contain Rovers better in the second half, and although Dymock pushed forward to make a three-pronged attack, it never made much difference to Shire's chances of scoring. In fact, they were lucky not to concede more after Wallace hit the crossbar with a drive five minutes from the end.