30/12/2017  |  League

East Stirlingshire   3  v  0  Cumbernauld Colts

Colts short trip to East Stirling ended in a very disappointing 3-0 defeat again at the hands of veteran striker Andy Rogers. Shire started like a team who knew the importance of the fixture and Rodgers and Brisbane both missed excellent chances in the first ten minutes. However the former made amends when he raced through on goal and beat Max Currie at his near post. Having been unable to train this week the Colts were finding it difficult to get a foothold and soon found themselves 2-0 down when poor marking from a corner allowed Greene to head in unchallenged at the back post.

The Colts had Currie to thank for keeping the deficit at two, making an excellent save at point blank range from a Sluddens effort. At the other end the Shire's Barclay was called into action for the first time on 20 minutes, when Lachlans free kick from the left after Greene had brought down O'Neill looked dangerous, but the keeper was able to scramble it behind for a corner after initially fumbling. Shires McCormack was lucky to escape with just a yellow card after a malicious challenge from behind left O'Neill requiring medical attention, and sparked fury from the Colts players who were clearly growing in frustration as the first half progressed. Brown came within a fingertip of halving Shire's lead minutes before the break, meeting a corner from the right with a good header, but Barclay made a terrific save diving to his left to turn it away.

A change of shape for Colt's at half time shifted the dynamic of the match, this provided a greater balance with the Colt's enjoying much more of the ball as they tried to gte back into the game. Despite their confident start,it was the Shire however who would strike the next meaningful blow when Rodgers was given far too much space and time to slot in his second from close range.

Brown looked certain to pull one back on 65 minutes when O'Neil's cross from the left landed on his head, but the striker could only get under the ball and nod it over the bar. Rodgers came close at the other end with a spectacular long range strike that was well saved by Currie. But it was Rodgers earlier strikes that ultimately proved enough to secure the victory for the home side.

For the Colts it�s on to next week when they need to try and get back to winning ways against a much improved Edinburgh University. The clubs lack of resources means it is difficult for the Colts to complete with the league�s big spending clubs, given this their top six position at the half way point is a good return, the managers however will be trying to add a couple of fresh faces in the window using the SPFL development loan system in an effort to maintain this position.