The Shire All But Secure A Play Off Spot
This was billed as a must win game for both sides, it certainly was for Montrose as Steven tweed's men were trying to keep there slim Play off hopes alive.
On a cracking summers day at "Lesser Firs Park" a vocal crowd turned out to celebrate the opening of the terrace and although it looked sparse right up until kick off the place soon filled up., with an attendance of 401.
McInally resisted the urge to pitch Craig Donaldson straight back into the side, and the Player of the Year candidate had to resort to a place on the bench, however there was a start for Dean Richardson who replaced Sean Anderson in the centre of midfield, the ex Celtic and Dundee United youngster dropped out of the picture totally.
Montrose had put 5 past Stenny (how does that song go???) the week before, but gaffer Steven Tweed still had no room in his starting line-up for 2 goal hero and one time Shire target Roddy Hunter.
It was evident in the opening minutes that Montrose were up for this game and they had the best of the opening play, but never really tested there former goalkeeper Mark Peat. In the opening minute Kevin Bradley raced away from the Shire Defence but his effort was well saved by Peat.
After 5 minutes The Shire had there first chance, a Jamie Stevenson free kick released Andy Rodgers and the inform Striker turned winger fired in a low shot that the impressive Bullock managed to turn round the post. It was the first of many key saves that the journeyman Goalkeeper had to produce.
For all the ball and fancy football Montrose were playing they were struggling to create much in the final third as King, Bolo and Tully were nullifying the threat of on-loan Striker O'Reilly and Bradley, and long range efforts from McKenzie and O'Reilly, done nothing to test Mark Peat in the Shire goal.
It took The Shire 15 minutes to put any real flowing football together on the synthetic surface, and it was with real style that the ball zipped about from Tully, through Weaver, outwide to Hay who played the ball over the top of the Montrose Defence into the path of the on-rushing Brain Graham, the on loan hitman cut the ball back into the path of Andy Rodgers and although the ex Montrose players shot looked to be net bound it slithered just past Bullocks right hand post. It was a good chance for The Shire and a sign that when things clicked we were dangerous.
5 minutes later McInally's men took the lead. Mr Reliable Derek Ure made good progress down the left hand side, he swung over a cross that Bolo headered into the path of BRIAN GRAHAM and the on-loan Morton man rose unmarked and side footed the ball past Bullock and into the empty net. 1-0 Shire, against the run of play in some respects.
Graham could and probably should have made it 2-0 just minutes later. Again Ure bombed down the left hand side and threaded the ball into Graham, Bullock slipped and looked lost in the Montrose goal but Full Back Gordon Pope came to the rescue and took the ball from the feet of the youngster.
Montrose were maybe a goal down, but they were by no means down and out, and Stevenson had to clear an O'Reilly effort from the line after the Shire defence failed to clear from a string of Montrose corners.
Half Time:
Montrose changed things at half time and brought on Paul Stewart for Chris Hegarty as
After a string of corners Tully headed across the face of goal and Andy Rodgers fierce drive from inside the 6 yard box was brilliantly saved by the impressive Bullock. It really was one of those saves that could have been compared to the famous one that Gordon Banks pulled off for
The game should have been put to bed in the 57th minute as The Shire missed two glorious chances. Stevenson sent Graham through one on one with Bullock but the Strikers shot was poor and lack conviction as Bullock managed to save with his legs. A Shire corner from the right also dropped to the feet of David King but his shot was blocked on the line by Montrose Player Manger Steven Tweed.
It appeared to be another one of those days on the 65th minute, and Montrose's late Play Off push was back on the cards when Kevin Bradley jinxed past 2 defenders on the left hand side and swung over a cross which super-sub RODDY HUNTER sweetly chipped past Peat and into the Shire net. 1-1 and game on!!!
The fight of The Shire shone through, just as the faithful were starting to rule the chances missed only minutes earlier and plenty heads were in hands (it's quite hard when you're standing up) BRIAN GRAHAM popped up with the winner. Stevenson swung a corner in from the right hand side, Tully headered it across goal and after a bit of a goalmouth scramble the ball popped under Bullock and the youngster was there to "hip" the ball into the empty net. 2-1 and Graham's 16th goal of an impressive season.
FULL TIME:
ESM MOTM: This was a good whole hearted display by The Shire and it could have been won by more goals in the end. Every player had there part to play and it seems mad that you have to just pick one. However DAVIE KING stood up over the rest and was a rock at the back and gets my man of the match. It really is like having a new signing at the club and it'll be interesting to see what happens next week when Eddie Forrest returns.
East Stirlingshire : Peat, Hay, Tully, King, Bolochoweckyj, Weaver, Richardson (Donaldson 77), Stevenson (Dunn 89), Graham, Ure (McKenzie), Rodgers.
Subs Not Used: Kelly, Newman.
Booked : Graham.
Goals : Graham 22, 75.
Montrose : Bullock, Hegarty (Stewart 46), Pope, McKenzie (Hunter 59),
Subs Not Used: Russell, Sinclair, Kelly.
Booked : Bradley, Davidson.
Goals : Hunter 65.
Att : 401
Ref : C Allan
