"Very Much a Disappointment"

Shire were well worth their win last weekend.

The Warriors’ promising start to the season ended with a disappointing display against local rivals East Stirlingshire. The Shire looked more positive from the start and were well worth their three-goal success at Ochilview. Sean Simpson netted twice and former Warrior Joe Savage completed the Shire celebrations while Stenny boss Campbell Money was left to reflect on a disappointing day.

“It was Very much a disappointment, very much so,” said Money. “East Stirling, from the word go were very positive, whereas we looked a wee bit nervy. They obviously got a great start with the goal that they scored and we never really looked to be in it at any stage of the game, apart from just before they scored their second - I felt that was the only part of the game where we had any sort of foothold and made a couple of things. Craig McEwan was unlucky, it was a nice one-two but his shot went straight to Darren Hill. But apart from that spell I felt that we looked as we were never going to cause them too many problems.”
 

"4-3-3 Never Really Worked For Us"

In the first half, Stenny put up too many high balls into the strong wind, although they failed to master the conditions throughout with he midfield unable to create anything for the three up front.

“We didn’t pass the ball well,” admitted Money. “But more worrying from my perspective was that we allowed East Stirling to dominate us, that was a disappointing aspect because [so far this season] there have been absolutely no signs of that happening [of teams being able to dominate us] at all – that was the biggest concern for me.”
The change to a 4-3-3 formation failed to work for Stenny, but Money said that was something they were already looking at. “We tried to change things a wee bit because I have been a bit concerned about the lack of opportunities we have been creating,” he said. “So I played the three up on Saturday but it never really worked for us, so that is obviously something we will look at the rest of this week and make our minds up where we are going to go this weekend.”

 

"Pitch Dictates"

John Hillcoat

Another concern on Saturday was the fitness of keeper John Hillcoat, he limped through the game and looked in severe pain once of twice, but Money is hopeful he will soon be back to full fitness and he should be available for Saturday’s match against Montrose.


“He has got a wee bit of a problem with his hamstring but it is not affecting him too much, that had no bearing on the result, actually I think John looked quite sharp on Saturday,” said Money.

“I don’t think that would affect John’s performance at all. The hamstring problem started in the Albion Rovers game but he saw that out and did not play an awful lot in training last week and I think he will play on Saturday. He will be fine for Saturday and then he has got a fortnight before the next game, so that will give him a bit of time to get rid of it.”

Money reported no other serious injuries after Saturday and will have the chance to test out any players with niggles in a midweek game. He will also be able to welcome one injured played back to training while anticipating the return of midfielder Steve Ferguson in a little over five weeks time.

“Scott McCulloch will return to training this week,” confirmed Money. “We have got a bounce game up at Bathgate tomorrow [Tuesday] night and one or two of the first team squad will play in that.

“Steve Ferguson had his operation last Wednesday and is fine, and it is just the six weeks between the operation and when he is able to play.”

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