v Stranraer (h) 20/3/04

[Gull]

Shire105 I have been told by `somebody who should know` that this game will now be played on Tuesday night (the 23rd) with a 7.30pm kick off.

[wellibob]

well according to page 489 on STV teletext, the game is on wednesday night now. Who is correct?

[Gull]

Shire105/ wellibob the original info I gave you was correct UNTILL 12.00 midday (Mon) after this I was informed that the 2 clubs had changed their minds!
The home game with Stranraer will now take place on Wednesday with a 7.30pm K.O.

[erzsebet bathory]

What time are we dining in the ale hoose hostelry Strumps?
Back of three ok?
Mind bring plenty of cash as i've none.
Will bring you a pressie though, which you'll really enjoy.

[Strumps]

Sure. Suppose I'll have to get dressed now!

I forgot to give you the Bottle that bus brought back from Tashkent. Give you it after the game ?

[Gull]

Wed 24-3-04 Shire 1 Stranraer 2 (Miller 19 - Moore 10, Henderson 30)
This was one of the best performances by Shire for quite some time (since before the new year I would say!) with the team displaying guts, a good work rate, a bit of `dig` and a bit of craft and flair too! Many people were predicting a `right doing` by their rather tough opponents (with some justification), how could this be the same team I saw humbled 6-0 at Stirling I asked myself? After Stranraer scored their 1st my heart sank, expecting the usual `cave-in`, but to my surprise the team got stuck in and managed to dig out an equaliser D. Miller`s header seemed to surprise the visitors. Stranraer got back in front, powering home a header but we gave them so much trouble afterwards that they actually backed off a bit and gave us some room to play. We were trying various ways to get that equaliser but it would`nt come - they eventually seemed to be hanging on at the end, although they defended well with a little bit of luck we might have got a very impressive draw out of this.
The much improved showing tonight got a few people talking - the previous manager is always shown in a harsh light when this good a performance happens shortly after his departure. There was also the very interesting spectacle of a `possible` future manager being seen on the sidelines making notes - something I am sure the players were made aware of before kick off!

[Strumps]

You summed it up---spot on but I still feel arrrgggggggggghhh.


Still, it makes me smile that "Sky" are banging on about Wimbledon's 10th defeat in a row.

[VarisIan]

Definitely one of the best performances of the season. Well done to all the players. Our goalie did not make a single save in the game, they had a couple of near things but Shire defended really well with good organisation, good chasing back by the midfield.
Darren Miller was my man of the match, getting ahead of Del for the goal, wasn't it superb?, and also getting back and defending. Steven Oates showed a good turn of pace and tackled well. Stuart Kelly looked up for it when he came on but Stranraer defended well. Chris Baldwin had a magnificent effort well saved.
If only we could defend crosses better. Still it was a vast improvement against one of the better teams in the league. Ease up shire!!

[Dodger]

Quite possibly the best defensive performance of the season, especially given the quality of the opposition. It leaves me in no doubt that 5-4-1 is the best way to play for us for the time being. Only real disappointment was losing 2 basic goals from set-pieces. Surely that is an area that is fairly simple to improve upon though.

Thought Del did a sterling job up front on his own and all the midfielders tried to get forward and support him when they could. All in all a good night, although clearly the next stage is to take this forward and start getting some points on the board, hopefully starting on Saturday.

[albionirover]

I think 2 - 1 flattered Stranrear. 'Shire deserved a point. Stranrear humped us 4 - 1 at Cliftonhill a couple of weeks back but on Wednesday they were'nt half as good.