East Stirlingshire 2 Peterhead 0

SPFL 2nd Division - Saturday 11 January 2014 - Ochilview

In search of a competitive game of  football, I passed on going to Tynecastle on Saturday and instead headed to sunny Larbert and my first visit of the season to see East Stirlingshire, my 'significant other' team in Scottish football.

The visitors to Ochilview were Second Division league leaders Peterhead, managed by former Shire manager Jim McInally. The former Dundee United player is presently banned from the dugout and so took his place among the 310 fans in the small stand. It was pleasing to see him chat not only with the Peterhead fans who made the journey south but some of the Shire fans who held him in high esteem not so long ago.

Peterhead shared, along with Celtic and Rangers, the status of being unbeaten in the league this season. However, this admirable run came to an end on Saturday thanks to a spirited showing by the home side.

It has to be said the Blue Toon dominated the game and in the opening minutes they were denied the first goal by a quite brilliant save from Shire keeper Grant Hay, who was in inspired form all afternoon. However, Shire took the lead in the 14th minute when Christopher Townsley headed home Jamie Glasgow's corner somewhat against the run of play.

Resolute defending from the home team kept Peterhead at bay and the hosts doubled their lead seven minutes into the second half when Iain Thomson's pass found David Greenhill and, despite pleas for offside from the Peterhead players and fans, the Shire man finished superbly to the joy of the loyal home support.

The second goal gave the home side the belief they could be the first team to defeat Peterhead in the league this season and, indeed, they may well have added to their lead but for former Rangers keeper Graeme Smith in the Peterhead goal. However, there was no further scoring and the Shire duly celebrated a fine win, a result which puts them back in the hunt for a promotion play-off place.

It was an enjoyable afternoon, as it always is at Ochilview.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that East Stirlingshire will still be in the hunt for promotion come the end of the season. I'll certainly be supporting them in their quest.

One thing that did bemuse me when I headed back to Larbert railway station. Not only were the Christmas lights still up in Stenhousemuir's town centre - they were switched on! Someone ought to tell the local council Christmas is over....

East Stirlingshire - Hay, Herd, Maxwell, Greenhill, Townsley, Bolochoweckyj, MacGregor, Thomsom, Miller, Glasgow, Wright

Peterhead - Smith, Sharp, McCann, Redman, Noble, Ross, Rodgers, Cowie, Gilfillan, McAllister, Strachan

Att: 310

 

Referee: George Salmond

 

Top man: Grant Hay

East Stirlingshire 0 Alloa Athletic 1

Irn Bru Scottish League Third Divison, Saturday 10 September 2011 - Ochilview

Having been out for a couple of shandies on Friday evening, I didn’t venture north for Hearts clash with Inverness Caledonian Thistle. I figured my delicate constitution would struggle with a three and a half hour train journey to the beautiful capital of the Highlands. Instead, I headed to Larbert to see my other team, East Stirlingshire, take on a side now managed by a man still hugely popular with  Hearts supporters - one Paul Hartley (as used to be chanted at Tynecastle)

The man who destroyed Hibernian with a hat trick in the Scottish Cup semi final at Hampden five and a half years ago is now player-manager of Third Division Alloa Athletic and while he opted to remain in his suit, collar and tie for the short trip to Ochilview, there’s no doubt Hartley is already exerting considerable influence over The Wasps. Alloa played a neat, passing game which some might say will prove their undoing in the hurley burley of the basement league although it didn’t stop Livingston powering their way to the Third Division title a couple of seasons back. With former Aberdeen players Darren Young and Robbie Winters providing experience, The Wasps won 1-0 and it was interesting to see Hartley, a rookie manager, continually encouraging his players from the touchline.

Shire played some decent football at times and manager John Couglin has the team playing more of a passing game. However, as has been proved so far this season, Shire have nothing up front and their decent play counts for nothing when they get to the final third of the field. Chances are few and far between so when they do come along they really have to take them. After half an hour, Ally Love had a glorious chance to open the scoring when he pounced on a mistake from Ben Gordon but the Shire man, having rounded the goalkeeper, then contrived to place his shot wide of the post. Inevitably, Alloa scored just before half time when the aforementioned Gordon diverted McCord's cross for the only goal of the game.

I had hoped to see Paul Hartley in action but, with his 35^th birthday just a few weeks away, he believed the players in his team would do the business without his influence on the field. And he was right. Having been relegated to the Third Division following a play-off defeat by Annan Athletic at the end of last season, Alloa are among the favourites to bounce straight back up again. Led by a man who remains a hero to thousands of Hearts supporters, I would be very surprised if The Wasps didn’t live up to expectations.

As for Shire, they may be bottom of the league but they won't be there for long. If only they could unearth a striker who knows where the goal is...

Twitter @Mike1874

East Stirlingshire 0 Ayr United 3

Scottish Communities League Cup, 1st Round - Ochilview Park

With Hearts not playing until Sunday I took the opportunity to head to darkest Larbert - actually it was a very sunny and warm Larbert - on Saturday to watch my 'other team' take on Ayr United in the Scottish Communities League Cup. As was the case a year ago Shire have had numerous changes in personnel with only a handful of players remaining from last season. In addition, coach Jim McInally left at the end of last season and his replacement is the vastly experienced John Coughlin.

It was a decent game played in warm weather and there was much to entertain the shirt-sleeved crowd, in particular a noisy travelling support who gave Ayr United huge vocal encouragement from start to finish. Being something of an old punk (insert your own punchline here) I was quite impressed by their version of the Sex Pistols classic Anarchy in the UK...

Ayr United are two divisions higher than Shire - and it showed. Despite a spirited showing from the home team, Ayr had more skill and experience - Alex Burke and Mark Roberts showed some of the Shire youngsters a thing or two  - although after an opening five minutes when Shire could barely get out of their own half, the home side did come more into things. After the visitors passed up several chances to score, it was Shire who almost opened the scoring when Ally Love had an effort well saved by Cuthbert. Just when it seemed they might get to half time on level terms, Shire's good work was undone when Trouten took advantage of hesitancy in the home defence to poke the ball past Sorely to give the visitors the lead. Five minutes later the roof fell in on the hosts when Moffat tapped home after Sorely had saved well from Trouten.

Ayr United then put the issue beyond doubt five minutes after the break when Roberts was first to react in the six yard box to tap home and end the scoring at 3-0 to The Honest Men.

However, it was a decent game and while there is a lot of work for Shire manager John Coughlin to do there are some promising signs and some good young talent who work hard for each other. I sense a more passing style from Shire this season than was the case under Jim McInally. One thing that might become an issue, though - indiscipline. I sat just a few yards away from an incident in the second half when Love belied his surname by having a real go at the standside assistant referee in a manner that could easily have brought the Shire man a yellow card. The Scottish Communities League Cup has respect as a buzzword - something a few players should think about.

Montrose 3 East Stirlingshire 0

Irn Bru Scottish League Division 3 - Saturday, 30 April 2011 - Links Park

Rather than watch Hearts continue their attempts to cross the finishing line in third place in the SPL in the fashion of a drunk old man staggering home from the pub attempting to eat a fish supper on the way, I opted to go and see my 'other team' - the 'not as mighty as they were last season' East Stirlingshire. The last time I was at Montrose was to see Hearts win a League Cup tie with Walter Kidd scoring a goal in torrential rain - all of a quarter of a century ago. Returning to the Angus town brought back a lot of memories. Montrose as a town hasn't really changed that much but Links Park has since the last time I was there - although if I closed my eyes I could still see Hearts Graham 'Shuggie' Shaw scrambling home a last minute equaliser in a Scottish Cup quarter final tie there in front of 8,000 fans in 1976...

There wasn't quite 8,000 at Links Park on Saturday  - around 350 - and for all that Shire were awful in the first 20 minutes by which time they were three goals down, it was a decent enough game. Montrose's Sean Pierce headed home the opening goal after just seven minutes as the Shire defenders said 'after you Claude' to each other. Three minutes later Shire keeper Michael Andrews brought down Montrose' Nicol who duly converted the penalty kick to double the home side's advantage. After 17 minutes the impressive Pierce finished off a fine move by driving the ball beyond Andrews to make it 3-0 and I feared the worst for the Shire. However, the visitors improved thereafter although it has to be said they never really looked like scoring - a lack of firepower has been the Shire's undoing this season.

Fellow blogger Groanin' Jock is a Montrose aficionado and I'm quite sure he enjoyed Mo's final home game of the season.

Despite the score, I enjoyed the game and a couple of pints in the town's Market Arms afterwards in the company of a Montrose/Aberdeen fan who I hadn't seen for a while. The end of the season, though, can't come quick enough...

East Stirlingshire v Dundee 1981

A blast from the past for Shire and Dundee fans. The Dees clinched promotion to the Premier Division that day, hence the packed crowd at Firs Park. Commentator Alistair Alexander refers to 18 year old Dundee forward Ray Stephen. About three years later Arsene Wenger would sign Stephen for French club Nancy.

Spartans 1 East Stirlingshire 2

Scottish Cup Third Round, Saturday 20 November 2010 - Ainslie Park, Edinburgh

Tempted though I was to head to Tynecastle today and join in the tributes to Jim Cruickshank, I chose to stick with my original plan and watch East Stirlingshire for the first time this season. The Shire were in the capital city on Scottish Cup business against non-league Spartans. Despite the incessant rain I'm glad I went as it was a fine game and a tribute to both teams that they served up a typical cup tie.

After last season's fine season which saw them reach the promotion play-offs, Shire have struggled this term, due to the number of players who upped sticks during the summer. Jim McInally's team have struggled to score goals  - indeed they recently ended a run of eight games without a goal. Around this time last year, Shire were sitting top of the Third Division. Now, with a much changed team they are sitting third from bottom. With this in mind it was no surprise that many people made Spartans favourites, particularly as they had home advantage.

This was my first visit to Ainslie Park and I was mightily impressed with Spartans as a club. More than 600 fans turned up, most of whom were in the small but impressive grandstand. A few Shire diehards opted to stand in the open and throw themselves, bare-chested, to the elements. But that's the Shire fans for you - small in number but there are no more passionate fans in the land.

The game itself was a real end-to-end affair. Spartans dominated the early stages with some neat passing play but gradually the visitors came more into the game. Just when it looked like we would have a goalless first half, Shire's Paul Weaver placed  a fine effort beyond the home keeper from twenty yards to open the scoring three minutes from the break.

As you would expect Spartans came out with all guns blazing in the second half and were rewarded when McLeod equalised on 54 minutes. It seemed like Shire would be hanging on for a replay but fifteen minutes later, David Dunn rifled home a superb free-kick to put the visitors back in front. Despite sustained pressure from the home team, the Shirey Pirey hung on for a fine win.

It was a hugely enjoyable afternoon, despite the rain. Spartans are an ambitious club and good luck to them for the future. For East Stirlingshire, they'll be keeping their fingers crossed for a big club when the draw for round four takes place.

East Stirlingshire - Hoping for Third Time Lucky

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!

East Stirlingshire's Share Issue

The mighty East Stirlingshire - Falkirk's finest football team - are about to launch a share issue. They are what community football is all about. If anyone fancies contributing to a worthy cause and helping grassroots football, please email paul.marnie@eaststirlingfc.co.uk

East Stirlingshire 3 Albion Rovers 1

Irn Bru Scottish League Third Division, Saturday 3 April 2010 - Ochilview (or Lesser Firs Park)

There was a humorous note in East Stirlingshire's matchday programme for today's clash with Albion Rovers. It was noted that the 'annual race to avoid promotion had begun slightly earlier than usual'. This was not only a reference to Shire's rather spectacular fall from grace in recent weeks but the likes of Berwick Rangers and Forfar Athletic also seemingly contriving to play 'after you Claude' with promotion play-off places up for grabs.

Today, thankfully, the Shire got back to winning ways with a thoroughly deserved victory over a Albion Rovers team who still have play-off dreams of their own thanks to having so many games in hand of their rivals. The return of Paul Weaver was a huge boost for the home team and, after a bright start by the visitors, Shire took the lead on twelve minutes when the impressive Craig Donaldson's cross was headed home by Simon Lynch.

Rovers equalised ten minutes later when slack defending allowed Marc McCusker to lift the ball past keeper Barclay. However, seven minutes before half-time Shire went back in front when Rovers replicated Shire's defending mishap allowing Jamie Stevenson to fire into an empty net from twenty yards.

After fifty six minutes Shire sealed the points when brilliant play by Weaver set up Lynch for his second goal. The former Preston North End and Dundee striker went off shortly after with blurred vision which, apparently, was caused by a migraine.

The final score was 3-1 to the Mighty Shire who remain in second place in the Third Division. Livingston have all but secured the championship - despite losing at Annan today - and Shire have still to clinch a play-off place. But the games are running out and it is inconceivable Jim McInally's men won't be involved in the fight for promotion at the end of the season.

It's only a month away and I can hardly wait!

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.

East Stirlingshire's Magnificent Gesture

Not only are East Stirlingshire FC going great guns in the Scottish Third Division - if they beat Elgin on Wednesday they'll go top of the league - but they're doing their bit for the community.

The Elgin game at Ochilview will be free admission for all. Yes, free. There will be a collection to raise funds for the Yorkhill Children's Foundation and Shire are asking fans to donate in return for not paying an entrance fee to the game.

Football is presently having some bad press in the wake of the John Terry saga. It's time to highlight a magnificent gesture by East Stirlingshire - and one that deserves recognition.

East Stirlingshire 3 Berwick Rangers 2

Irn Bru Third Division - Saturday 6 February 2010 - Ochilview

The Mighty Shire march on! Jim McInally's men recorded their seventh successive league win thanks to a hugely entertaining performance against promotion rivals Berwick Rangers. My three most enjoyable games this season have been in Larbert and this was another satisfying afternoon.

'Welcome to Ochilview' said the jovial stadium announcer just before kick-off, 'the land that time forgot!' Cheered on by the usual vociferous home support, Shire attacked from the off. However, it's fair to say the Wee Rangers made a game of it and made Shire work very hard for their victory. The opening goal came just before half-time when a sublime free-kick from Jamie Stevenson gave the home side a deserved lead. Berwick equalised early in the second half with a fine strike from former Hibee Damon Gray only for Shire's Stephen McGuire to score twice in three minutes to give the home side a 3-1 lead.

A second goal from Gray gave Shire an uncomfortable closing few minutes but McInally's men hung on for a deserved win. A fine afternoon was enhanced further when the news came through from Station Park that Forfar Athletic scored a last minute equaliser against league leaders Livingston.

Shire are now just a point behind the West Lothian team - and if they defeat Elgin at Ochilview on Wednesday they will top the league.

Just two weeks now until Shire play Livvy in a top of the table clash at Ochilview. I can't wait!

East Stirlingshire 1 Montrose 0

Irn Bru Scottish Third Division - Sunday, 6 December 2009 - Ochilview

Tired of the circus that Heart of Midlothian FC has become, my affection for East Stirlingshire has intensified in the last couple of years. I have gone to the now abandoned Firs Park on a few occasions and recently have gone to see The Shire at their new abode, Ochilview Park, Larbert which they share with Stenhousemuir. Earlier this season I witnessed a hugely enjoyable League Cup tie there when The Shire stormed back from three goals down to level the game with SPL side St. Mirren - only for the Paisley team's fitness to prove crucial as they ran out 6-3 winners.

Today I chose not to go and see Hearts latest shambolic performance and opted to see a bunch of hard-working lads who may not be the most talented in the land - they wouldn't be playing in the Third Division otherwise - but who will give their all.

And so it proved as East Stirlingshire maintained their promotion push with a hard-fought win over basement side Montrose. In difficult conditions it was a credit to both teams that they tried to play a passing game. The only goal came from the outstanding Paul Weaver who fired in a great effort after sixty-two minutes leaving the Gable Endies keeper with no chance.

I was impressed by not only Weaver but Craig Donaldson, Derek Ure, Eddie Forrest and substitute Marc McKenzie. The home support were vociferous, humourous and hugely entertaining throughout and despite the freezing cold weather - what else does one expect three weeks before Christmas - it was a very enjoyable afternoon.

I have a feeling I may soon become a conscript of McInally's Black and White Army!