SHIRE RESERVES 1 STENHOUSEMUIR RESERVES 3

Shire got their Reserve League Cup campaign under way with a disappointing 3-1 defeat at the hands of local rivals Stenhousemuir.

Despite having most of the game's better chances the Firs Park second string could not break down a resolute Warriors defence. And when they did manage to get a clear sight of goal they found visiting keeper Scott Johnstone in top form.

Alan Upton sprung a surprise in selection by opting to field first team keeper, Darren Hill between the sticks. Paul Doyle captained the team from central defence while there were places in the starting eleven for both Sean Simpson and Craig Donaldson.

A towsy opening to the match did not bode well, and Stenhousemuir took the lead with the first real opportunity for either side after just nine minutes. A good run down the right by Steven Desmond ended in a low cross which the unmarked Alan Lindsay simply stroked past Hill at the back post.

Shire started to get more of the ball and both Donaldson and Simpson started pulling the midfield strings. It was a Donaldson pass after 28 minutes that sent Kevin Struthers racing clear and, after shaking off the attentions of McGill, he slotted the ball past Johnstone for the equaliser.

That was a fair reflection of the match to that point, but all Shire's good work was spoiled three minutes before the break when Flynn shot from outside the box and Desmond stuck out a leg to deflect the ball past Hill.

The second period was almost all Shire. They pounded the Warriors after the break but found they couldn't break them down. Simpson's free-kick pulled a top quality save from Johnstone, and Struthers should have scored when he got in behind the defence but again Johnstone saved.

The sucker punch seemed more likely the longer the game wore on and it duly arrived three minutes from the end. Martin Stewart tore down the Shire left and sent in a cross-cum-shot that decieved Hill and looped over his head into the net.

Shire : Hill, Wilson(Brown 82), Carr, Doyle, McDonald, McShane, McLachlan(McGregor 63), Upton, Struthers, Simpson, Donaldson.

Stenhousemuir : Johnstone, Stewart, McCreadie, Thom, McGill, Forde, Muir, Desmond, Flynn(McAuley 74), McManus, Lindsay(Cryans 67).

Referee : K. Clancy.

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