Shire 4-2 Arbroath

[Dodger]

4-2 win tonight against Arbroath, although it has to be said that the Arbroath side looked to be primarily made up of youths. Some encouraging signs from the game although it will be a different class of opposition against Berwick on Saturday.

Game didn't get off to the best start for us and we were 2-0 down after half an hour. First Arbroath goal was a belter, curled into the top corner from outside the box. Second was more worrying as the defence failed to deal with a simple punt up the park, allowing the Arbroath striker the chance to sclaff the ball past Tony Mitchell.

After that it was all Shire though and I can't think of an Arbroath attack apart from the 2 goals. We levelled things before half-time with a couple of quick goals, the first coming from Ross Donaldson who turned in a low David Harvey cross. About a minute later the Arbroath keeper misjudged another right wing cross allowing Jamie Dunbar to nip in front of him and head the equaliser.

A further 2 goals came in the 2nd half, the first from Carl Thywissen as he bundled home a deflected Sean McAuley free-kick. The 4th goal was a looping header from Gordon Parks after another David Harvey cross. We also has several other chances and really should have scored more.

Most of the new players made a good impression though. David Harvey looks very quick and is always keen to push forward from right back (in fact he had a hand in 3 of the goals). Carl Thywissen did not always look the most elegant of players but looked a real goal threat from midfield and could have had a hat-trick. Both front players, Donaldson and Dunbar looked impressive, with Dunbar being a stand-out for me.

Like I say it was quite encouraging, although my main worry is still at the back (where's Steven Oates gone) as there doesn't seem to be any competition for places there at the moment.

The starting line-up was:

Mitchell
Harvey Newall MacKay McGhee
McAulay Ross Thywissen ?(possibly Chris Miller)
Donaldson Dunbar

and the subs that I knew were:
Gilpin
Parks
Moffat
Baldwin
plus 3 that I didn't know

Roll on Saturday

[esfc]

Steven Oates is working in America until mid Sept and will return, signed for this coming season,

Greig Denham is only a few weeks away from fitness both will be good additions to the squad.

Nine players plus Oates remain from last season with ten new players now signed. Hope that is of some help to your query

[Dodger]

Cheers for that. Good to know that Oates is coming back. Any idea if Stuart Kelly has left or is he in a similar position to Oates?

[stuart]

stuart kelly here,i have officially left the shire the reason being i am going to New Zealand to play for Cantarbury United in the New Zealand national league.I am also in charge of there youth set up and see this as a good coaching and playing move as we train 3-4 times a week and fly to our games,also have the oppertunity of playing in the Oceana champions league.The coaching side is the lauch of the teams youth set up and they want me to front it.
I will miss the club and the friends i have there although wee paul ross keeps me up to date,i would like to thank the supporters and everyone associated with the club for their commitment and keeping spirits high and all the best this season
thanks stuarty k

[Ramz]

Best wishes to you Stuart, in the champions league, eh?!
I saw the game last night and it was a hell of a lot better than I expected. As has been mentioned, some of our new players look like they might do a turn for us - which is encouraging. On the down side, our defence did`nt look too clever, especially at their 2nd goal where a punt up the park landed nicely for a man who ran through us and side footed home. We did play some good stuff however and friendlies being what they are we can only really judge our `new model team` once the real stuff starts on Saturday.