Shire 2 Queen's Park 1

Weakened they may have been by inhury and suspension but Shire still managed to come up with the goods to claim a welcome three points. The team may not have played much of the free flowing football Gordon Wylde wants, they may have been under the cosh for a good part of the second half and they did have keeper Robert Tiroupolos to thank fore some good saves, but they deserved their win for sheer hard work.

The team was deprived of Andy Smith, Marc McKenzie and Mark Molloy. Stephen Adam and Steven Learmonth played on after last week's knocks, while Stephen Oates was carrying a knee injury and Alan Ward was playing his first match in two months.

Shire certainly didn't make the best of openings and twice the keeper came to their rescue to keep the scoreline blank. The first was a great save from a Steven Canning free-kick, the second a great near post stop from David Weatherston's venomous shot. But on 31 minutes Shire did hit the front.

The visitors disputed the award of a free-kick after a Queens player showed his studs to Alan Ward. Joe Boyle took the kick, slipping the ball to Paul Stewart who rifled in a 20 yarder which deflected off the defensive wall past a wrong-footed Mark Cairns.

Queen's chad plenty of the ball but could not make it tell. The re-organised Shire defence, with Stephen Oates commanding at its heart, easily thwarted the Spiders as they tried to walk the ball into the net in search of the perfect goal.

The Spiders certainly upped the pace at the start of the second period but for all their pretty passing patterns they rarely got a decent ball into the box. That said, Shire were starting to struggle and the blue tide surging towards the home goal was making the Firs Park support morte than a bit edgy. It wasn't by any mean inevitable that Queen's Park would equalise but when they did, after 68 minutes, there was a sense of inevitability about it.

Steven Blair, who had replaced the struggling Gary Wild at the interval, should have cleared the ball but instead simply invited former Shire man Paul Ronald to have a shot at goal. His effort was hopelessly weak but Tiropouolos's effort at saving it was just hopeless, as he let the ball slip under his body into the net.

A betting man may, at that point, have had his money on an away win but it was Shire who started to show more initiative, partly thanks to the introduction of Paul Tweedie for Alan Ward. And that enterprise was rewarded after 76 minutes when Shire re-took the lead. Some good work down the left gave Stewart some room inside the box. He picked out Boyle at the back post who re-directed the ball across goal only for Canning, in attempting to clear for a corner, to head spectacularly into his own net. Shire had more chances to add to the lead and both Stewart and Tweedie came close, but a 2-1 advantage turned out to be enough.

Shire : Tiroupolos, Wild(Blair 46), Learmonth, Thywissen, Oates, Boyle, Ward(Tweedie 62), Stewart, Ure(Livingstone 77), Dymock, Adam.

Queen's Park : Cairns, Paton, Dunlop, Reilly, Ronald, Canning, Kettlewell, Quinn(Bowers 86), Dunn(Trouten 62), Weatherston, Ferry.

Referee : C. Charleston

Attendance : 354.

Queen's Park Preview

Some late fitness tests will determine the Shire team to face Queen's Park tomorrow (Saturday). We know for sure neither Marc McKenzie or Andy Smith will play, both are suspended after being sent-off at Montrose last weekend. Added to the list of absentees is Mark Molloy who has flu.

Physio Iain MacIver is still working with four other players who are struggling with injuries. Steven Learmonth and Stephen Adam were both hurt at Links Park. Learmonth has not trained this week but will be given a fitness test on Saturday morning, while Adam's elbow injury, although not as bad as first feared could still sideline him. Paul Tweedie and Stephen Oates are also receiving treatment and neither can be sure of shaking off their injuries until last-minute checks are done.

It seems certain Scott Livingstone will be brought in as cover for Smith, while McKenzie's midfield berth is likely to go to Steven Blair. If Oates fails to make it Gary Wild will cover while Alan Ward could fill Tweedie's position if need be.

Shire will be looking for revenge after losing 5-0 to the Spiders in the Challenge Cup at Firs Park in August, but the visitors will be inspired by last week's 3-0 win over league leaders East Fife. They will add Damiano Agostini to an otherwise unchanged squad.

Injury Update

There is more hopeful news ahead of the Queen's Park game on Saturday. Shire are hoping both Steven Learmonth and Stephen Adam will be fit to play. It was feared Adam had broken his elbow after falling awkwardly eight seconds into Saturday's 1-0 defeat against Montrose. But it now appears to be a case of bad bruising. He has not required any hospital treatment so far and physion Iain MacIver will assess the situation tomorrow (Thursday) when the players meet up for training.

Learmonth's leg injury will, it is hoped, respond to rest. It was described as an "impact injury" by MacIver after the Links Park defeat and he was optimistic the ex-Alloa defender would have shaken the effects off in time to face the Spiders.

There are no other injury worries among the rest of the squad, apart from what boss Gordon Wylde described as "the usual bumps and grinds". He cancelled training on Tuesday to give everyone some rest, but will put the squad through their paces on Thursday, when the shape of the team to face Queen's Park will be worked on.

Montrose 1 Shire 0

Shire are to make an official protest to the SFA over the performance of referee Colin Brown, who sent two Firs Park players off in the 1-0 defeat at Links Park.
Brown’s afternoon could at best be described as erratic before he produced a red card for Andy Smith nine minutes from full-time for as harmless looking foul. But he enraged Shire by dismissing Marc McKenzie in injury-time. The winger, justifiably, believed he had won a corner and Shire’s last chance to equalise Andy Rogers’ 80th minute goal.
But, to his annoyance, the referee awarded a goal kick. The Shire winger was booked for spiking the ball in frustration, but moments later was shown a red card. Club officials afterwards confirmed his dismissal was for using, “foul and abusive language.”
There could also be big trouble for Smith. He was called into the referee’s room after the final whistle and shown a SECOND red card, again for swearing at the referee. Both players protested their innocence, but could face long bans, especially Smith who already has a poor disciplinary record.
But it’s not just suspensions which will hurt Shire. Injuries could also mean a spell on the sidelines for Stephen Adam and Steven Learmonth. The former Livingston winger landed awkwardly on his elbow just EIGHT SECONDS into the match and suffered ligament damage. Learmonth’s problem has been described as an “impact injury” by physio, Iain MacIver and he is expected to make a speedy recovery.
There was no hiding Shire’s disappointment at failing to take at least a draw from the game. They were the better side, but failed to turn that superiority into goals. Despite having a stonewall penalty denied and striking the woodwork through McKenzie’s free-kick their hard work went for nothing simply because of a moment of madness from keeper, Robert Tiroupolos.
The Firs Park custodian should have allowed Carl Thywissen to clear a long, high ball. Instead he called to take it but couldn’t. He then tried to boot the ball upfield but it clattered off the Norwegian centre-half right into the path of Rodgers who rolled it into the unguarded net.
Any chance of a Shire comeback ended a minute later when Smith received his second yellow card for a 50-50 challenge in which he was every bit sinned against as sinner.
Shire’s day of woe started straight from kick-off when Adam jumped for a high ball and landed heavily on his arm. He tried to continue but was eventally replaced by Derek Ure.
Paul Tweedie flashed a shot wide of the post and Joe Boyle and Steven Learmonth tried long-range efforts which were just a fraction too high. Montrose failed to force Tiroupolos into a single first half save. Shire should have had a penalty on the stroke of half-time when Boyle was poleaxed by Higgins, but the referee waved play on.
Learmonth’s leg knock meant he failed to appear after the break, replaced during the interval by Steven Dymock. Shire’s domination continued and after Montrose keeper, Andy Reid had been penalised for handling the ball outside the box, McKenzie cracked the resulting free-kick against the keeper’s left-hand post.
Shire simply never saw Montrose as an attacking force until the closing few minutes. Michie had a shot which Tiropoulos saved easily and moments later the Shire man was again in action saving a Rodger’s effort from the edge of the box.. There was, at that point, no hint that Shire would leave Links Park with anything less than a point.
Montrose : Reid, Stewart(Adam 56), Stirling, Higgins, McLeod, Donachie, Henslee, Kerrigan(Napier 10), Rodgers, Michie, Davidson(Cumming 59)
Shire : Tiroupolos, Smith, Learmonth(Dymock 46), Thywissen, Oates, Boyle, McKenzie, Stewart, Tweedie, Molloy(Wild 78), Adam(Ure 19).
Referee : Colin Brown
Attendance : 280.

McKenzie Young Player Of The Month

Hat-trick hero Marc McKenzie's picked up the SFL's first Young Player of the Month awardfor the 206/07 season. It's recognition for his fine performances for Shire, especialy the hat-trick he scored in the 5-0 defeat against Stenhousemuir.
But the accolade is also recognition from the wider football community that Shire are getting better. Two wind and a draw from seven matches represents Shire's best start in years.

Wylde Upbeat After Bounce Game

Tuesday's closed door match with Morton has given Shire boss, Gordon Wylde, something to think about when he sits down to pick his team for the trip to Montrose. There were one of two decent performances from certain members of the team. The Shire side was a mixture of regulars and fringe players alongside Australian trialist David Dodd. The team went 2-0 down to goals inside the first ten minutes but recovered and, thanks to strikes from Steven Dymock and Joe Boyle, were level at the interval.

Morton included a few first team squad members but they by no means had it all their own way. In the end a fine piece of individal skill eight minutes from the end from one of their substitutes sealed a 3-2 Morton victory.

Shire : Nugent, Livingstone, Learmonth, Trialist, Oates(Adam 46), Blair, Stewart, Boyle, Ward, Dymock, Ure.

Shire 0 Arbroath 2

If Shire had taken the early chances that had come their way it might have been a different story. But they didn't, and the narrative was all too familiar to the Firs Park faithful. Yet another early goal for the team's opponents left them chasing the match, when it became apparent they were not going to get back into things quickly, the bottom fell out of their performance.

Abroath, much stronger and more powerful physically, managed to close out the game and leave with three points which they ultimately deserved, but at some points in the game were in doubt.

One thing Shire fans are getting used to is the loss of an early goal. When Jay Stein swung over a corner after just five minutes, Anton Nugent came to punch and missed and Bryan Scott headed home, it could scarecely have been a surprise. It was a huge setback, though, although one Shire set about trying to overcome straight away.

Within two minutes Derek Ure should have equalised. He made space for himself on the edge of the box with a lovely turn and looked odds on to score one-on-one with the keeper but Peat in the Arbroath goal spread himself well and blocked the Shire striker's shot.

It was a prelude of things to come. After thirteen minutes Stephen Adam crossed to the unmarked Marc McKenzie at the back post. His shot back across the face of goal looked netbound, but hit the face of the post and bounced behind. Five minutes later McKenzie turned provider, flicking the ball inside for Paul Tweedie, in the inside-right position, to drive in a shot which crashed off the upright.

It was not all one way traffic. Nugent redeemed his earlier mistake by making a brilliant save when Scott was clear through. On the half hour he pushed Barry Sellars' netbound header wide, but only into the path of Willie Martin, whose shot came back into play off the underside of the crossbar. And Alan Brazil had a great chance to increase the lead but shanked his shot wide with only the keeper to beat.

At the interval Arbroath withdrew Black and replaced him with Watson, but it was first half stand out Scott who should have scored after being put clean through. He was already turning away to celebrate after driving the ball past Nugent, only to see his effort bounce back off the post.

Shire were rarely seen in attack after thre break but Tweedie dis manage one very good effort but his 20 yard shot went wide. The second period was much flater in tempo than the first and Arbroath had by far the better of it. The impressive Scott was running the show and it was hardly a surprise that he should play a part in the goal which clinched the match. He carried the ball before laying it off to Martin who unleashed a tremendous shot from 20 yards which flew past Nugent into the net. Shire tried a brief rally later on after Steven Dymock had replaced Tweedie, but the best they could manage was an Adam volley which just shaved the top of the bar.

Shire : Nugent, Smith, Learmonth, Oates(Boyle 76), Wild, Thywissen, McKenzie, Stewart, Ure(Molly 76), Tweedie(Dymock 63), Adam.

Arbroath : Peat, McMullen, McCulloch, Rennie, Dobbins, Scott, Black(Watson 46), Martin, Brazil(Cook 68), Sellars, Stein(Reilly 85).

Referee : J. McKendrick

Attendance : 301

Arbroath Preview

There are no injury or suspension worries for boss Gordon Wylde going into the home match with Arbroath. Andrew Brand is the only absentee as he continues his recovery from his wrist operation, which has been an apparent success. Alan Ward has returned to the club after taking time out to be with his wife during the latter end of her pregancy, and although he is back in training it is unlikely he will be considered for the match.

Wylde has hinted it is possible he will stick with the eleven that started the 2-2 draw against Berwick Rangers last week, although there may be scope to bring in Jamie Nixon, who missed the Shiielfield trip through illness. Steven Dymock, who could have won the match with a late chance, may again have to content himself with a place on the subs bench, and Steven Blair could find himself amongst the replacements after missing out at Berwick.

Aussie On Trial

Australian Defender, David Dodd has been training with the club over the last week and has impressed boss Gordon Wylde in the few sessions he has been to. He is the younger brother of Falkirk centre-half, Karl Dodd, and, according to Wylde, is built much in the same mould.

Wylde had tried to get the defender to play as a trialist at Berwick but that fell through.

The boss seems quite keen on Dodd, but the player may not, unfortunately, be ready to commit himself to Shire. Watch this space.

Brand Injury Update

Andrew Brand's wrist operation has been judged a success. He is out of hospital although he is still a bit sore from the grafting of a piece of bone from his hip into his arm. The club captain will be out of action for at least another six weeks. His arm is currently in plaster and his hip will need a bit of recovery as well.

"It might be a few weeks before we see Andrew around the club," boss Gordon Wylde told Zebra Diary. "But we hope he will regain full fitness soon because he is a big player for us. He will be sorely missed over the next few matches but we will just have to get on with it."

Berwick Rangers 2 Shire 2

A worthwhile point for Shire in what was a game of two halves. In the first period Berwick were clearly superior but whatever Gordon Wylde said in the interval clearly worked as the team performed very well and were, in the end, unfortunate not to win.
Wylde chose, as close as he could, the starting eleven that had thumped Stenhousemuir 5-0 a fortnight earlier. The only exceptions were goalkeeper Anton Nugent, who continued at the expense of Robert Tiroupolos, despite losing five goals at East Fife, and Gary Wild, the on loan Kilmarnock defender, who came in for Andrew Brand.
But Shire did not show the same kind of form as they had against their near neighbours. In fairness, Berwick were a far better team than Stenhousemuir, sharp up front and with plenty of pace in the middle of the park, while former Shire centre half, Jordan Smith, did a good job of organising the home defence.
It took Berwick just twelve minutes to get on the scoresheet. Stuart Noble made good progress down the left and fired in a shot which deflected off Stephen Oates before landing at the feet of Robbie Manson who beat Nugent with a well-placed shot.
A minute later Shire might have equalised when Paul Tweedie burst through on goal but before he could shoot for goal Smith came back to make a saving tackle. That apart, it was Berwick who were well on top.
After 23 minutes Berwick broke clear after Shire failed to take advantage of a corner and after a sweeping move Sean Paliczka sent a curling shot just wide. Four minutes later the same player tried to repeat the trick after Oates cleared the ball straight to him but again his effort went narrowly wide of the post.
On 36 minutes David Greenhill cracked in a 30 yard free kick just wide of Nugent’s goal as the home team continued to dominate. Berwick’s Tom Britton was replaced after a clash of heads with Carl Thywissen and that turned out to be the game’s real turning point. Berwick brought on Calvin Shand, the shape of their team altered and Shire were able to cope better with their midfield runs. Indeed, Shire should have been level at the interval but a minute before the break Paul Tweedie’s shot cracked off the crossbar.
After the break Paul Stewart seemed to have much more room to move and several players, notably Stephen Adam, upped their game. Derek Ure beat Berwick keeper O’Connor to a long ball but could not steer it into the empty net but the tide seemed to be turning in Shire’s favour. That was confirmed in 53 minutes when Adam’s tantalising cross from the left forced Smith to lunge out and attempt to clear it for a corner, except all he could do was put it into his own net.
That should have been Shire’s cue to take over, but instead they took their eye off the ball. Just three minutes later Fraser threaded the ball through to Manson, no Shire player matched his run, and the wing back restored Berwick’s lead. But Shire were not finished and on 63 minutes Adam again produced some quality down the left and a cross which Tweedie rammed home from the edge of the box. Adam went off and was replaced by Steven Dymock who had two glorious chances to give Shire all three points. But he sent a free header wide and then was clean through on the keeper but could do no better than shoot against O’Connor’s legs.

Berwick Rangers Preview

Late fitness checks will be carried out on Carl Thywissen and Andy Smith before either is cleared to play at Shielfield. Both missed the 5-0 defeat at East Fife and subsequently picked up knocks in training during the week. Both have a better than evens chance of making the team.

Gordon will probably opt to ditch his attacking 4-4-2 with both wide players right up the pitch in favour of a more compact 4-5-1, a system he seldom uses but did so with reasonable success in the last game of last season against Arbroath.

One player who will be missing is club skipper Andrew Brand. He entered hospital yesterday for an operation on his wrist. He was due to be discharged today (Friday) but will spend at least six week with his arm in plaster.

East Fife 5 Shire 0

Shire boss, Gordon Wylde was not a happy man as his team were brought back to earth with a bang by East Fife at New Bayview. Wylde slammed the level of effort and commitment shown by his team as they failed, in miserable style, to make any capital out of the previous week's stunning win over Stenhousemuir.There were three enforced changes to the team which had thumped the Warriors; Carl Thywissen, Andy Smith and goalie Robert Tiroupolos were all missing because of work. In their place came Steven Blair, Scott Livingstone and Anton Nugent.

The opening quarter was quite even, but Shire were given a warning sign after 15 minutes when Ryan Blackadder thumped a 20 yard free kick off Nughent's left-hand post. Five minutes later East Fife took the lead in controversial circumstances. Blackadder shot from the back edge of the penalty box, his shot took a cruel deflection off Sam Linto, who was standing in an offside position, and trickled over the line. The far side linesman indicated offside but, after a brief discussion, referee Euan Norris still gave the goal.

The confidence boost East Fife received from the open goal changed the game completely. After 32 minutes they made it 2-0 fiollowing a great piece of individual skill from Blackadder, which ended wuith a fine hook shot past Nugent. Shire could have brought themselves back into the game eight minutes later after Paul Stewart threaded Paul Tweedie clean through on goal but he shot straight at the legs of East Fife keeper John Dodds and the chance was gone.

The home team took a stranglehold on the game after the interval. Only brief flashes from Marc McKenzie relieved the pressure and it was no surprise when the Fifers went further in front on 59 minutes. Some nice interplay on the edge of the Shire box left the visiting defence at sixes and sevens and allowed Neil Jablonski to make it 3-0 with a lovely angled drive from 12 yards out. East Fife were on easy street after that, but made the result more emphatic with two more goals in the final four minutes.

The first was a tale of two substitutes. East Fife's John Martin, who had only been on the pitch two minutes left Shire substitute Gary Wild for dead as they chased a long ball and raced in on Nugent before shooting home confidently. Then Martin turned provider, racing down the left wing, again leaving Wild trailing in his wake, before crossing low fot Jablonski to hammer the ball high into the roof of the net from inside the six yard box.