East Stirlingshire 2 Vale 1
Today we arrived at Ochilview Park with 12 fit players and put on a performance which at the least deserved a share of the points. Our goalkeeper Ross Gilpin even played suffering from a virus and should be proud to have put on such a great performance.
The game commenced with a strong wind at our backs and throughout the first half the swirling wind was creating problems for both sides.
In the 7 min Liall Smith was fouled on the right wing and this was ignored by the referee who allow the home side to break down the wing where Sludden hammered home from an acute angle. A well taken goal, but should never have been allowed.
Vale were under pressure immediately after the goal with Ross Gilpin in great form, but gradually got back into the game and were starting to give the home side some problems and almost equalised in the 33 min when a Sean Stewart header came off the post.
However, their pressure was rewarded in the 37 min, when from a corner a loose ball was hammered home by Craig McBride.
One area of concern throughout the first half was the inconsistency of the referee towards the Vale.
HT 1-1
The second half commenced with the home in the ascendancy, but as was the case in first half the team with the wind was struggling to control all balls played forward due to the wind and speed of the playing surface.
The home team were beginning to try shots from areas with little success, whilst Vale were always dangerous on the break where Stewart and Dawson were causing a fair amount of problems.
On one of these break always the Shire goalkeeper Barclay came charging out from his line and took out Stewart on the edge of the box, with Vale players claiming it was inside the box. The referee booked Barclay, than had the audacity to mark the free kick three yards from the box. The resultant kick was smashed against the wall by Allan, before being cleared.
With Shire pressing for a winner, Vale broke up in the 85 min and as Stewart bore down on the goal he was clearly pushed in the back as he prepared to shoot. A clear penalty and again ignore by the referee.
In the 89 min a cross from the Shire left was headed home by Rodgers to them victory.
FT 2-1
The whole team can be proud of their efforts today and with better refereeing would have taken something from this game.