Shire Go Down To Top Of The League Albion

It was a poor day, both on and even more surprisingly off the pitch for The Shire on Saturday.

In disastrous conditions, The Shire travelled to Cliftonhill with high expectations after there mid week win over Livingston, and it finally looked as though Jim McInally's side were back on track, after some poor performances in the opening weeks.


There was a surprise in the line up as the gaffer decided to stick with Marc McKenzie on the right wing, and move Andy Rodgers into Centre Midfield. The Shire's injury list certainly hampered things with Forrest, King and Donaldson all ruled out.


Albion kicked off with the gale force wind in there favour. It was pretty evident from the stand that The Shire would have to keep things tight at the back as the team that scored more goals with the wind in there favour, were also the team that were going to win the match, and this is how things turned out.


Ex Stenhousemuir Striker Dave McFarlane had an early effort deflected wide as Albion put early pressure onto The Shire defence. Nothing came of the resulting corner. With long range efforts not hitting the target and Defensive clearances not even clearing the half way line many wondered why the game was being played in such conditions.


In the 13th minute however, Albion Rovers took the lead. A long hanging ball from Reid was flicked on by Boyle, and MARC POLLOCK slotted the ball into the empty net from 6 Yards out for his first league goal of the season. 1-0 to Albion Rovers, which came as no surprise but The Shire defence would have thought they could have done better.


The Shire should have pulled level 4 minutes later, good work by McKenzie on the right side resulted in him swinging the ball over into the 6 yard box, Andy Rodgers header lacked conviction but the impressive Derek Gaston in the Rovers net done well to pull off the stop which Jamie Stevenson blasted over the bar from less than 5 yards out. The ex Alloa and Morton Midfielder knew he should have made things level.


On the 23rd minute mark, Albion Rovers deservingly extended there league. The Shire were just not coping with the wind as Albion were starting to pick up pace, DAVE MCFARLANE collected the ball wide left, cut inside and smacked a 20 yard shot past The Shire Defence, past Jamie Barcley and into the bottom left of The Shire goal. 2-0 Albion Rovers.

Long range shooting and poor clearances were the order of the remaining time, up until the 43rd minute when Albion stretched there lead and really put the game out of site for McInally's men. Poor Defending by Tully out wide on the left hand side meant that the lively Pollock could get away from him, he kick into the box and squared the ball to MCFARLANE who tapped the ball home for his 2nd goal of the day. 3-0 Albion Rovers and 3 points staying in Coatbridge.


HALF TIME: ALBION ROVERS 3 - 0 EAST STIRLINGSHIRE


Changes were made at half time by both clubs, Andy Rodgers was withdrawn for The Shire and was replaced by ex Ayr United man David Dunn, and ex Kilmarnock and Dumbarton Centre Half Mark Canning was brought on for the injured Chris Boyle.


The early parts of the 2nd half seen the Shire on top, which is
what you would expect due to the conditions and the visitors were awarded what seemed to be (from where I was standing) a stone wall penalty Michael McGowen handled the ball inside the home area. However, Jamie Stevenson stepped up to take the penalty, placed the ball to close to Gaston and the young Goalkeeper done well to save his effort. As a result you could see the heads of the team drop, and you knew this wasn't to be our day.

Rovers were hitting The Shire on the Counter Attack as McInally, who looked a lonely figure in the unused terrace, pushed more men forward trying to get his team back into the match. Both Pollock and McFarlane could have extended the Albion lead as both hit Barcley's post with close range efforts.


The Shire had another claim for a penalty on the 65th minute, a long ball to Lynch found Dean Richardson; the midfielder ran into the box and went down under a challenge from Michael O'Byrne but referee J.Beaton waved play on. From where I was standing, it looked as though the Referee got the decision right, and there was very little complaint from any of The shire players.


On 68 minutes there was a warm welcome to the return of club legend Derek Ure as he replaced Richardson in the middle of the park.


The longer the game was going on the more it seemed that Albion Rovers were going to keep there unbeaten run in tacked, as The Shire were struggling to create even the simplest of chances. Unfortunately the behaviour of the fans also deteriorated in the stand as well, as many of the supporters started to use any method to get on the backs of ex Shire man Paul Tyrrell and the Albion Rovers support.


The game petered out with a last minute chance falling to Ure, that was once again well saved by the Albion Goalkeeper.

FULL TIME: ALBION ROVERS 3 - 0 EAST STIRLINGSHIRE

ESSM MOTM: Going by this performance, it was hard to give it to anyone as the whole team was as equally poor. However, because I have to give it to someone I have decided to give BOLO the man of the match after a decent performance at the back.


Reaction: This was a very poor performance by The Shire, as nobody got going. Albion Rovers are a physical side that have probably replaced Stenhousemuir in some ways, as they are hard to break down and have players that can play going forward. There is no doubt that the wind played a big factor in the game, but take nothing away from Albion they adapted, they took there chances and they deserved the 3 points.


Team: Barcley (5), Hay (4), Richardson (4), McKenzie (5), BOLOCHOECKYJ (6), Tully (4), Weaver (5), Stevenson (4), Lynch (4), McGuire (4), Rodgers (3). Subs: Dunn (3), Ure (2), Elliott (1)