retired_sroch3032

Oh :o well thankyou i will do that next time

Raptor could you fix that up when you float into this thread

BarryLFC

looks better now

I'd have gone with:

<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Pos Team Pld Won Drn Lst For Ag G.D Pts1st Peterhead 12 9 1 2 25 8 +17 282nd Cowdenbeath 12 8 2 2 16 6 +10 263rd Albion Rovers 12 6 3 3 31 17 +14 214th Stirling 12 6 2 4 23 19 +4 205th Gretna 12 5 2 5 22 23 -1 176th Stranraer 12 3 6 3 19 17 +2 157th Elgin 12 4 2 6 14 26 -12 148th Montrose 12 2 4 6 23 23 0 109th East Stirling 12 2 3 7 12 24 -12 910th Queens Park 12 2 1 9 10 32 -22 7</pre>

but that's just personal preference.

retired_marcias

I'd have gone with fabricating the evidence to put Stranraer top, but that's just personal preference

retired_sroch3032

Thanks HD, yes it does look better like that :thup:

Glamdring its good your not the one fabricating the evidence


22nd of November 2003

One of the biggest games this season for our team in terms of moving up or down the league table. If we lose this game Queens Park will take over us and we will hit rock bottom of the division. Many pundits are predicting that we will end bottom of the division but after being with the team for a few months I k now they will keep fighting to the end.

Our previous meeting a few months ago produced a two goal win to us. Hopefully we can repeat the feat or go even better.

November 8th, 2003 Scottish Division Three Match 13 (a)
Queens Park V East Stirling
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Queens Park League Form: LWLLL Position: 10th East Stirling League Form: LDLWL Position: 9th</pre>
East Stirling (4-4-2) Jon Connolly (c)-Gary McCulloh, Graeme McLaren, James White, Craig Reid-Scott Livingstone, Gordon Lappin, Sean McAuley, Dougie Polwart- Stuart Kelly, Derek Ure
Subs: Chris Todd (gk), Michael Stewart, Jordan Leishman, Jamie Mackay, Gerry Boyle

Queens Park had the first attack of the game and were centimetres away from taking the lead but for the inside of the post deflecting the ball back into the thankful arms of Connolly. Unfortunately just before half time disaster struck when a poor cross from the left was allowed to go straight to Walker and he smashed the ball past Connolly to give the home team a 1-0 lead.

Derek Ure had a poor first half so he was replaced by Paul Rodden before the start of the second half. Just after the break Connolly kept us in the game with a point blank stop from a header from only 3 yards. The closest either team came to scoring the 2nd goal of the game was with a long range strike by Walker which flew just over Connolly’s crossbar. The one goal was enough for Queens Park to move off the bottom and condemn us to be bottom of the ladder after thirteen games.

Queens Park 1:0 East Stirling
Queens Park Goals: Allan Walker (1)
East Stirling Goals: -
MoM: Sean McAuley (East Stirling) Rating-8
Subs: Stewart on for Polwart (45’), Boyle on for Ure (63’), Leishman on for Lappin (63’)
Booked: McCulloh (East Stirling), Ferry (Queens Park), Menelaws (Queens Park)
Sent Off: -
Stadium: Hampden Park
Attendance: 1615

I didn’t think it could get any worse than being bottom of the ladder but it has become worse. My physio reported to me that Stuart Kelly will be out for two weeks with a damaged neck.

29th of November 2003

Today another third division match which has the potential to end dismally. 5th placed Stranraer come to Firs Park thinking that we will be easy beats. The last match between these teams produced 2-1 win to Stranraer.

November 29th, 2003 Scottish Division Three Match 14 (h)
East Stirling V Stranraer
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">East Stirling League Form: LDLWL Position: 10thStranraer League Form: WDWDW Position: 5th </pre>
East Stirling (4-4-2) Jon Connolly (c)-Gary McCulloh, Graeme McLaren, James White, Craig Reid-Scott Livingstone, Gordon Lappin, Sean McAuley, Jamie Mackay- Paul Rodden, Derek Ure
Subs: Chris Todd (gk), Michael Stewart, Jordan Leishman, Dougie Polwart, Paul McLean

To replace the injured Stuart Kelly Paul Rodden moves from the bench to replace him while Under 20s player Paul McLean gets a place on the bench.

Connolly was tested about five times in the first seven minutes but we were the side who took the lead. McAuley won the ball in midfield in a 50-50 tackle, passed it to Livingstone who chipped it over the defence to Paul Rodden. Rodden made no mistake putting it into the net past the helpless keeper. McAuley was again orchestrating the attack but this time it didn’t prove fruitful. The great pass by McAuley set Ure through on goal but his shot his the post and went out for a goal kick. We went ahead through a own goal from Crawford after McAuley (who else!!) sent a long ball into the penalty area and Crawford under pressure from Rodden knocked the ball past his own keeper. This time it was Rodden with the assist after a defensive lapse allowed Rodden to put in a cross to man of the match McAuley who got his just reward and smashed the ball into the net to make it 3-0 after only 20 minutes. Just before half time Stranraer tried to put some respectability into the score line only to find Connolly in the way.

Two minutes into the second half disaster struck when McCulloh limped off after being involved in a strong tackle. Michael Stewart was sent on to replace McCulloh. Another own goal seals the victory for East Stirling in the sixty fifth minute. A free kick from Lappin in the middle of our attacking half was aimed at Rodden up in the six yard area only to see Sharp beat him too it and knock it past his own keeper. Fifteen minutes before time Essler struck and put a goal on the board for the visitors.
We continued to pepper the Stranraer goal with McLean wasting some easy chances but at the end of the day we had beaten a team five positions above us by the scoreline of four goals to one.

East Stirling 4:1 Stranraer
East Stirling Goals: McAuley (1), Rodden (1)
Stranraer Goals: Essler (1), Crawford (OG), Sharp (OG)
MoM: Sean McAuley (East Stirling) Rating-10
Subs: Stewart on for McCulloh (47’), McLean on for Ure (66’), Leishman on for Livingstone (66’)
Booked: McLaren (East Stirling), Guy (Stranraer), Allan(Stranraer)
Sent Off: -
Stadium: Firs Park
Attendance: 1417

Sean McAuley’s performance today was immaculate and I feel he will be a key member in the midfield for seasons to come. His rating of 10 represents his excellent leadership in the midfield and his ability to orchestrate and assist in attacking opportunities which contribute to shots on goal and goals.

The only negative note to this excellent day was the news that Gary McCulloh is out for two months with a broken collarbone.

We jump up to 8th on the table after 14 games and 16 points off the 2nd placed promotion spots.

retired_sroch3032

1st of December 2003

The first day of the new month and we have the awards to be given out:

The Scottish Third Division Player of the Month award this month goes to East Stirling’s Sean McAuley and he definitely deserves it. The award panel came to this decision after watching McAuley perform well in his last four appearances with one a man of the match performance with a rating of ten.

The Scottish Third Division Young Player of the Month goes to Albion Rover’s John McCaig after a couple of eye catching performances this month.

Albion Rover’s Peter Hetherston won the Scottish Third Division Manager of the Month after leading his team to three victories out of four league matches this month.

3rd of December 2003

The Scottish League Cup Quarter Finals were played today with all the favourites progressing.

Celtic easily disposed of Hiberian after a Stilian Petrov and a late Liam Miller strike sent the Bhoys into the Semi Finals.

The match between Dundee and Kilmarnock produced only one goal. The team who got the goal was Dundee through a Georgy Nemsadze cracker.

Rangers was the favourite to progress past Dunfermline and into the Semi Finals but they made hard work of it and needed extra time to squeeze past their opponents. Stephen Hughes got Rangers off to the perfect start scoring in the first minute of the match. Gary Dempsey scored the only other goal of the first half to bring Dunfermline back into the match. Peter Lovenkrands put Rangers back ahead in the 62nd minute before Stephen Crawford scored 10 minutes before time. Extra time was needed to see one side through into the semi finals and Rangers won the game through a Ronald de Boer goal and Stephen Crawford missed a penalty and let Rangers hold on for the victory.

Partick Thistle was behind on their home turf after Kevin McKenna scored for Hearts after 50 minutes. David Rowson won the game for his team with two goals in the second half and clinch their spot in the semi finals.

The semi final matches were drawn and they read:
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Celtic V RangersPartick Thistle V Dundee</pre>

retired_sroch3032

5th of December 2003

The Inter-Continental Cup was played today between the Champions of Europe, AC Milan and Boca Juniors. Andriy Shevchenko scored twice while Kakhaber Kaladze and Flippo Inzaghi chipped in with a goal to give their team a 4-0 victory over Boca. Many pundits predicted AC Milan to take the cup but not by such a large margin.

6th of December 2003

Our home match against 6th placed Gretna is a must win for us if we want to push for a mid table finish at the end of the season. Gretna has not won in the last five games with three draws and two losses. I will be disappointed if we don’t take all three points.

December 6th, 2003 Scottish Division Three Match 15 (h)
East Stirling V Gretna
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">East Stirling League Form: WLDLW Position: 8thGretna League Form: DLLDD Position: 6th </pre>
East Stirling (4-4-2) Jon Connolly (c)-Gary McCulloh, Graeme McLaren, James White, Craig Reid-Scott Livingstone, Gordon Lappin, Sean McAuley, Jamie Mackay- Paul Rodden, Derek Ure
Subs: Chris Todd (gk), Michael Stewart, Jordan Leishman, Dougie Polwart, Paul McLean

While Paul Stuart Kelly is injured Paul McLean retains his spot on the bench. Dougie Polwart returns to the bench due to his lack of fitness allowing Jamie Mackay a starting spot. Roddy Maughan replaces the injured Gary McCulloh and slots into right back

Only ten minutes on the clock and we were one nil infront. Last matches man of the match McAuley was at the heart of the move chipping the ball over the defence to Ure. Ure swivelled, waited and crossed to Rodden who headed the ball into the net. Just before half time all our hard work was cancelled out after Cameron beat his defender and drilled a shot at goal. Connolly made a mess of the shot and it spun off his fingertips into the goal. One minute later we struck for the second time after a excellent tackle in midfield my Mackay. Mackay passed to Lappin who put in a cross to the edge of the penalty area. McAuley was in the right place at the right time and controlled the ball before powerfully striking the ball past the outstretched keeper off the post and in!

A quick attack by Gretna after the second half whistle started produced a great save by Connolly. White took control of a misguided Gretna pass and put a long ball over the defence. Ure took control of the ball and shot just over the crossbar. Gretna pulled level just before the 70th minute mark after another shot by Cameron found its way past a despairing Connolly 2-2.

East Stirling 2:2 Gretna
East Stirling Goals: McAuley (1), Rodden (1)
Gretna Goals: Cameron (2)
MoM: Martin Cameron (Gretna) Rating-10
Subs: Stewart on for Reid (63’), McLean on for Ure (63’), Leishman on for Livingstone (63’)
Booked: Galloway (Gretna), McGuffie (Gretna)
Sent Off: -
Stadium: Firs Park
Attendance: 1421

It was disappointing to give up the lead twice in the match but I was generally impressed with the performances of the players and the team as a whole. If we can perform like this in every match of the season we should be able to gain my expected target.

Paul Rodden picked up a strain wrist in the Gretna match but will only be out for one day.

7th of December 2003

Today brings the first Scottish manager casualty this season. The Queens Park board ended Kenny Brannigan tenure at the club after losing ten out of their first fourteen matches. The club sits bottom of Division Three and the board feels a new manager may just be what the team needs.

The Scottish Cup 2nd round was drawn today. We were drawn away to Forfar and will play the match on the 17th of December 2003 at Station Park

retired_sroch3032

11th of December 2003

After declaring my interest in Stenhousemuir’s forward Brian Crawford his manager came out and announced to the press that the player could leave if he wanted too.

I faxed a bid for Brain Crawford of £0 even though he was transfer listed for £1. I just hope they will allow him to come to our club because he is a excellent forward with great shooting, pace and general composure.

13th of December 2003

Today we visit Albion Rovers who currently hold 2nd place in the table. If we take a point from this match I will be extremely pleased because the opposition is in good form at the moment.

December 13th, 2003 Scottish Division Three Match 16 (a)
Albion Rovers V East Stirling
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Albion Rovers League Form: WWWWL Position: 2ndEast Stirling League Form: DLDLW Position: 8th</pre>
East Stirling (4-4-2) Jon Connolly (c)-Gary McCulloh, Graeme McLaren, James White, Craig Reid-Scott Livingstone, Gordon Lappin, Sean McAuley, Jamie Mackay- Paul Rodden, Derek Ure
Subs: Chris Todd (gk), Michael Stewart, Jordan Leishman, Dougie Polwart, Paul McLean

I named an unchanged line up for this tough encounter against Albion Rovers.

After five minutes a fast flowing passing move gave McAuley the chance to shoot from just outside the penalty area. Unselfishly he put the ball through to Rodden who could only direct the ball into the side netting. Both teams had chances in the first half an hour but we took the lead after a bullet header from Rodden. Albion Rovers had the best chances to score a goal in the last fifteen minutes of the first half. McAllister’s curling free kick almost found the top corner of the net but for the heroics of a diving Connolly to tip it over the crossbar.

A nice flowing move by Albion ended with a long ball being taken on the volley by Diack and almost lobbed over Connolly. The ball ended up just over the crossbar keeping the score at 1-0 to us. We seemed not to be able to get the ball away from our goal and we payed for it after Diak knocked in his own rebound after Connolly saved the initial effort 1-1. Five minutes later another save by Connolly fell to another Albion Rovers player by the name of McAllister and he put his team into the lead for the first time in the match 2-1. 10 minutes before time Diack wrapped the points up for the home side after reaching the edge of the box and drilling a shot past Connolly.

Albion Rovers 3:1 East Stirling
Albion Rovers Goals: Diack (2), McAllister (1)
East Stirling Goals: Rodden (1)
MoM: Iain Diack (Albion Rovers) Rating-9
Subs: Stewart on for McCulloh (47’), McLean on for Ure (66’), Leishman on for Livingstone (66’)
Booked: White (East Stirling), Sweeney (Albion Rovers)
Sent Off: -
Stadium: Cliftonhill
Attendance: 1646

I was really impressed with the determination and excellent play we showed for most of the first and second half. We kept the lead for a few minutes but in the end the class of Albion Rovers shone through and we just couldn’t keep up with them after they went into the next gear.

James White has picked up 16 disciplinary points and will miss our next match.

14th of December 2003

Division 1 club Inverness Caledonian Thistle sacked their manager John Robertson after a string of bad results left the club in 8th spot three points away from the relegation spots.

Queens Park approached me today and offered me the job as manager. I swiftly rejected the offer because I am with East Stirling for the long haul.

16th of December 2003

Stenhousemuir accepted my offer for their forward Brian Crawford and I gave him what he wanted. His contract off was a £150 per week with a £15 goal bonus for three seasons.

retired_loubou

Watch out for the relegation zone

Nice story, keep it up

retired_sroch3032

Thanks Bjorn ,the good thing about Division 3 in Scotland is you cant get relegated (not to my knowledge-in the game anyway)

17th of December 2003

Here we were in our first match of the Scottish Cup. Forfar is fifth in Division 2 and will provide a tough challenge for us on the road. The main reason a win would do us good is the financial benefits moving into the third round could give the club if we hit a premier side.

December 17th, 2003 Scottish Cup Match 2nd Round (a)
Forfar V East Stirling
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">Forfar League Position: 5thEast Stirling League Position: 8th</pre>
East Stirling (4-4-2) Jon Connolly (c)-Gary McCulloh, Graeme McLaren, Michael Stewart, Craig Reid-Scott Livingstone, Gordon Lappin, Sean McAuley, Jamie Mackay- Paul Rodden, Derek Ure
Subs: Chris Todd (gk), Stephen Oates, Jordan Leishman, Dougie Polwart, Stuart Kelly

Stuart Kelly has regained full fitness following his injury and he takes a spot on the bench at the expense of Paul McLean who returns to the Under 20s squad. Stephen Oates takes a spot on the bench too while Michael Stewart takes James White’s first team centre back spot because of James’s one match ban.

It took twenty minutes before the first shot at goal occurred. A long ball found its way through our defence and Taylor latched onto it before smashing it over the crossbar. We had a chance just before half time when a long ball found Livingstone and his cross was knocked onto the bar by Derek Ure. Just before the half time whistle Derek Ure came off second best in a tackle and he was replaced by Stuart Kelly.

Forfar put the ball into the back of our net just after the restart but it was cancelled out as the player who had put in the cross was in a offside position when he received the ball. On the seventieth minute Mark Taylor was set on his way to goal but didn’t score due to the brave keeping of Connolly. Taylor had a few more chances in dying minutes but put them over the bar and we held on to claim a 0-0 draw away from home and force the replay.

Forfar 0:0 East Stirling
Forfar Goals: -
East Stirling Goals: -
MoM: Michael Stewart (East Stirling) Rating-8
Subs: Kelly on for Ure (45’), Polwart on for McAuley (64’), Leishman on for Livingstone (64’)
Booked: -
Sent Off: -
Stadium: Station Park
Attendance: 2080

My physio reported to me after the game that Derek Ure’s injury would only keep him out for one day and he would be ready for our replay against Forfar in four days time.

This match showed that we can play good football and our defence can hold up against a mid table side in Division 2. Now we just need to win the tie at home in front of our fans.

18th of December 2003

The Scottish Cup 3rd Round was drawn today giving us a match at home against Elgin if we progress past Forfar.

19th of December 2003

Today we signed Brian Crawford from Stenhousemuir and he will join the club on the 1st of January 2004. We beat Alloa in the race for this talented forward and he should feature in our first team while he is fit.

retired_sroch3032

21st of December 2003

Today we play Forfar for the second time in four days. If we can defend the way we did against them in the previous match we should be able to sneak through to the next round of the Scottish Cup.

December 21st, 2003 Scottish Cup Match 2nd Round Replay (h)
East Stirling V Forfar
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">East Stirling League Position: 9th (3rd Division)Forfar League Position: 6th (2nd Division)</pre>
East Stirling (4-4-2) Jon Connolly (c)-Gary McCulloh, Graeme McLaren, Michael Stewart, Craig Reid-Scott Livingstone, Gordon Lappin, Sean McAuley, Jamie Mackay- Paul Rodden, Derek Ure
Subs: Chris Todd (gk), Stephen Oates, Jordan Leishman, Dougie Polwart, Stuart Kelly

Stephen Oates is dropped and James White takes the place on the bench. The rest of the team remains unchanged since our 0-0 at Station Park.

Ten minutes gone and Taylor has a chance to score but puts it over the bar. We took the lead after a 30-yard rocket by Lappin was parried into the path of Ure and he did the rest 1-0. Michael Stewart found himself to be in the right position when a Forfar ball when straight to him and his mis-hit clearance somehow found its way to Livingstone on the wing. Livingstone continued to bamboozle his marker and put in a cross/shot which somehow managed to beat the Forfar keeper. Just before half time Kerr broke our resistance after the ball fell to him on the edge of our area and he drilled it into the left hand corner of the net. 2-1 at half time.

Forfar almost got back on level terms in the 56th minute through a Rattray free kick found its way over the wall but just past the right hand post. With twenty minutes to play I made three substitutions and changed to a 4-5-1 formation. When Livingstone beat his marker and passed the ball into the penalty area to a unmarked substitute by the name of Stuart Kelly he put the ball powerfully into the net. 3-1 and almost through to the Third Round. We had a few chances to make the score line look more unequal but at the end of the day we beat Forfar 3-1 and now face Elgin in the Third Round of the Scottish Cup.

East Stirling 3:1 Forfar
East Stirling Goals: Ure (1), Livingstone (1), Kelly (1)
Forfar Goals: Kerr (1)
MoM: Gordon Lappin(East Stirling) Rating-8
Subs: Kelly on for Ure (45’), Polwart on for McAuley (64’), Leishman on for Livingstone (64’)
Booked: Rattray (Forfar), Horn (Forfar), McClune (Forfar)
Sent Off: -
Stadium: Firs Par
Attendance: 1409

An excellent performance by the players in particular Scott Livingstone with his excellent contribution on the right wing. It seems the team is starting to come together and I feel that we can get into the Fourth Round of the Scottish Cup.

Just to get the formalities out of the way we play Elgin at home in the Scottish Cup Third Round at Firs Park on the 10th of January 2004.

26th of December 2003

Our 17th match of the league campaign and we are at home to a team who is currently bottom of the division. Montrose has not won a game in the last five matches and are currently in a major form slump scoring only 3 goals and conceding 8 goals in five matches.

December 26th, 2003 Scottish Division Three Match 17 (h)
East Stirling V Montrose
<pre class="ip-ubbcode-code-pre">East Stirling League Form: LDWLL Position: 9thMontrose League Form: LDLDL Position: 10th</pre>
East Stirling (4-4-2) Jon Connolly (c)-Gary McCulloh, Graeme McLaren, James White, Craig Reid-Scott Livingstone, Gordon Lappin, Sean McAuley, Jamie Mackay- Paul Rodden, Derek Ure
Subs: Chris Todd (gk), Michael Stewart, Jordan Leishman, Dougie Polwart, Paul McLean

James White comes back into the first team replacing Michael Stewart who falls to the bench. The rest of the team is unchanged.

A shot went just over the top from Henderson on the 10th minute mark after sloppy defending gifted the Montrose striker the ball a few yards outside the penalty area. Henderson had another chance to score but again blazed his shot over the bar. Paul Rodden received a heavy knock in a challenge and was replaced by Stuart Kelly just before half time. Montrose again had another shot at goal but Gibson blazed it over.

A dull and boring second half saw neither team trouble the opposing goalkeeper and the game ended 0-0 at the final whistle.

East Stirling 0:0 Montrose
East Stirling Goals: -
Albion Rovers Goals: -
MoM: Frank Conway (Montrose) Rating-7
Subs: Stewart on for McCulloh (47’), McLean on for Ure (66’), Leishman on for Livingstone (66’)
Booked: Livingstone (East Stirling), Maughan (East Stirling), Smith (Montrose)
Sent Off:
Stadium: Firs Park
Attendance: 1418

My physio gave me the great news that Paul Rodden’s back injury would only keep him out for two days and he would be fit and raring to go for our next match.

I wasn’t pleased with the team’s performance today because we created only two or three chances and they were only half chances. That was our last match of 2003 and I hope 2004 brings better performances and more points being picked up in our home and away matches.