East Stirling News Update
There will be one or two late fitness checks before Craig Tully names his team to face Abroath in Shire’s latest SPFL League Two match at Ochilview on Saturday.
The Shire coach should, in theory, have a full squad to choose from with the return of Ross Gilmour from a one game suspension, but there have been concerns during the week with fitness an issue for some while others have been ill.
All of that means the coach will leave it late before putting the names down on the team sheet, although he will be hoping to keep any changes to a minimum given the team’s good reun of recent form which has seen just one defeat in six matches.
There was good news also during the week with the return to action of Nathan Shepherd in a Development League match at Forfar. It’s hoped he could be challenging for a place soon but maybe Saturday’s visit of the Red Lichties is just a bit too soon.
Whoever is named in the starting eleven should not lack confidence even in spite of last week’s late disappointment at Annan Athletic. Shire will want the points to climb back into contention for the promotion play-off places and will be hoping to add further misery to Arbroath’s recent run of results.
Having won 14 of their first 18 league matches this season, Arbroath have recorded just one victory in their last 12 SPFL League Two games; a run that has seen them drop from runaway leaders to third place behind Albion Rovers and Queen’s Park.
Nevertheless, the head coach is warning the Shire players and supporters to take absolutely nothing for granted.
“They are still a decent side as they showed the last time we played them up there,” he said of a game at Gayfield at the start of March which Shire won 1-0 but which Arbroath held the advantage in territory and possession. “They may be on a poor run but they can still play, they’ve got some of the best players in the league and they are very much capable of beating any team in this league.
“That said, Shire are unbeaten at Ochilview since January and turned in what many consider their best two performances of the season in their last two outings there; a 3-1 win over Queen’s Park and a 2-0 victory against East Fife.
“I thought the win over Queen’s Park was the best we have been all season until the East Fife match, when we were even better,” said the Shire boss. “We are comfortable at Ochilview, the players know the surface and we have a pre-match routine which I think helps us when we are at home,” he said.
Nevertheless he is determined the players ignore Arbroath’s form and concentrate on their own. “We are playing well and we need to continue doing that and we need to treat Arbroath for what they are; one of the best teams in the league.”
Shire will wear their traditional black and white hoops while Arbroath will be in their familiar maroon. The match ball sponsors are Richard Gray and Campbell Paterson and their support of the club in appreciated.
The match mascot is 14 year-old Brett Reynolds who has flow in from the USA for the match. Admission prices are £12 adults, £5 concessions and children under 12 are admitted for £1 if accompanied by an adult. The match referee is John McKendrick and kick-off, as usual, is 3:00pm.