There was a feeling of deja vu for the loyal followers of East Stirlingshire on Saturday. The Shire drew 2-2 at Forfar Athletic in the second leg of their promotion play-off - but having lost the first leg 1-0 at Ochilview last Wednesday night it meant play-off disappointment for the second year in a row. This time last year Shire lost to Cowdenbeath, also losing the first leg at home before drawing away at Central Park.
Just a few short seasons ago, East Stirlingshire were something of a laughing stock, finishing consistently at the bottom of the pile of Scottish football, seemingly stuck forever at the foot of the Third Division. However, since Spencer Fearn put money into the club things have picked up. The appointment of former Dundee United and Scotland player Jim McInally as team manager has seen a transformation on the playing side. This season Shire may well have won promotion had it not been for the decision of the Scottish football authorities to place debt-ridden Livingston into the Third Division. The fact Livvy were still able to recruit the likes of Robbie Winters and Jim Hamilton meant they were always going to be favourites to win the league, thereby denying clubs such as East Stirlingshire and Forfar Athletic the chance of automatic promotion.
At least next season there will be a level playing field - unless the likes of Rangers and/or Hearts are punished for their well-publicised financial problems and end up in the lowest league in Scottish football. Assuming this won't be the case, I'm hopeful the Shirey Pirey will once again be challenging for promotion.
The Shire fans may be small in numbers but their support for their team is second to none. I look forward to heading back to Ochilview - or lesser Firs Park! - many times again next season.
C'mon the Mighty Shire - make it third time lucky!
Showing posts with label Livingston. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Livingston. Show all posts
Sunday, 9 May 2010
Sunday, 21 February 2010
East Stirlingshire 0 Livingston 2
Irn Bru Scottish League Third Division, Saturday 20 February 2010 - Ochilview
It's strange how the most eagerly anticipated games can turn out to be hugely disappointing. Shire fans had been looking forward to this fixture for weeks and the opportunity to throw down the challenge for the league title against a team who were in the First Division this time last year. Three times the normal crowd headed for Larbert on a bright but cold afternoon, full of confidence and rightly so. Shire had won their previous eight games and were tucked in behind Livingston in the league, having played a couple of games fewer. Alas, high expectations were somewhat misplaced.
Shire paid their full-time opponents far too much respect, particularly in a hugely disappointing first half. They seemed almost in awe of the West Lothian team who dicated play from the off and it was no surprise when Livvy took the lead after just fifteen minutes when Halliday nodded Robbie Winter's cross past Barclay. In truth, Gary Bollan's team should have score more goals in the opening forty-five minutes and Shire manager Jim McInally must have been relieved to reach half-time just one goal behind.
McInally certainly said things at the break because Shire started the second period in much more determined fashion. However, hopes of a fightback receded when Michael Bolochoweckyj reacted angrily to Winters' theatrical dive after a challenge. Bolochoweckyj was booked for the challenge and lost the plot by angrily lashing out at Winters - referee Beaton had no choice but to flash another yellow card and therefore a red to the Shire defender. Winters, the former Dundee United and Aberdeen striker, clearly knew what he was doing and the Shire man's dismissal meant an uphill struggle for the home team.
This was emphasised when Winters added a second goal for the visitors a few minutes later. Yet, Shire never gave up and Simon Lynch passed up a glorious chance late on which, had he taken, would have given the home team a lifeline. Truth was, however, the better team deserved their victory and are now seven points clear of The Shire.
Jim McInally won't be giving up on lifting the league title, however. If Shire win their two games in hand they will be just a point behind Livingston - and have still to make two visits to Almondvale. When they go there, however, they will need to have the belief they can defeat the full-time leaders of the league.
It's strange how the most eagerly anticipated games can turn out to be hugely disappointing. Shire fans had been looking forward to this fixture for weeks and the opportunity to throw down the challenge for the league title against a team who were in the First Division this time last year. Three times the normal crowd headed for Larbert on a bright but cold afternoon, full of confidence and rightly so. Shire had won their previous eight games and were tucked in behind Livingston in the league, having played a couple of games fewer. Alas, high expectations were somewhat misplaced.
Shire paid their full-time opponents far too much respect, particularly in a hugely disappointing first half. They seemed almost in awe of the West Lothian team who dicated play from the off and it was no surprise when Livvy took the lead after just fifteen minutes when Halliday nodded Robbie Winter's cross past Barclay. In truth, Gary Bollan's team should have score more goals in the opening forty-five minutes and Shire manager Jim McInally must have been relieved to reach half-time just one goal behind.
McInally certainly said things at the break because Shire started the second period in much more determined fashion. However, hopes of a fightback receded when Michael Bolochoweckyj reacted angrily to Winters' theatrical dive after a challenge. Bolochoweckyj was booked for the challenge and lost the plot by angrily lashing out at Winters - referee Beaton had no choice but to flash another yellow card and therefore a red to the Shire defender. Winters, the former Dundee United and Aberdeen striker, clearly knew what he was doing and the Shire man's dismissal meant an uphill struggle for the home team.
This was emphasised when Winters added a second goal for the visitors a few minutes later. Yet, Shire never gave up and Simon Lynch passed up a glorious chance late on which, had he taken, would have given the home team a lifeline. Truth was, however, the better team deserved their victory and are now seven points clear of The Shire.
Jim McInally won't be giving up on lifting the league title, however. If Shire win their two games in hand they will be just a point behind Livingston - and have still to make two visits to Almondvale. When they go there, however, they will need to have the belief they can defeat the full-time leaders of the league.
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