Match Report

Annan’s promising start to the season came to an ubrupt end at Ochiview on Saturday after East Stirlingshire inflicted a deserved victory over an Annan team which appeared to be suffering a backlash from their midweek exploits against St Mirren. The Annan starting eleven showed a slight change with Rabine Omar being unavailable and his place being taken by Scott Norman.

The first half was well contested with both teams coming close before Smart Osalador opened the scoring for Annan in the 34th minute when he connected with a Flynn near post corner with the resulting shot deflecting off an East Stirlingshire defender on its way into the net.

Prior to this Josh Todd was unlucky not to break the deadlock in the 21st minute when Osadolor’s cut the ball back into his path but his effort crashed off the junction of the bar and post. The other incident of note in a first half which lacked any real excitement came in the 26th minute when Max Wrights well struck effort from the edge of the box struck the outside of the post.

Annan held their lead until the 40th minute when the Shire equalised, Faulds picked up the ball on the half-way line, drove into the Annan half, played a one-two with Court to break into the box to finish with a poke past the diving Hart. It was the final action in an otherwise dull first half where Annan started promisingly but finished the half poorly.
Shire started the second half strongly. Max Wright picked out Faulds who shot wide of the near post, and then Court played Nathan Shepherd into the box only to be denied by a confident Hart Save.
Smart Osadolor who has been a revelation since his introduction had a great opportunity to give Annan the lead early at the start of the second half when Peter Weatherson set him up beautifully but the chance was lost when Osalodor missed the target when it looked odds on he would score. Minutes later Steven Sloan came to Annan’s rescue clearing a potentially dangerous situation. Hart was then booked for contesting a corner kick decision.
The shire took the lead in the 75th minute, Court headed down the ball to Shepherd whose first-time 25-yard shot flew into the bottom-right corner, giving Hart no chance. Three minutes later, there was a chance for the home team to extend their lead when Wright’s free-kick picked out Jon Tully, who headed straight at Hart. Then a quick throw from Kinnaird sent Court into the box, he flicked the ball to Faulds whose shot was saved by Hart’s legs, and the ball spun over the crossbar.
And then, in the 86th minute, Shire did get their third goal. Faulds crossed the ball to Shepherd who controlled the ball before placing the ball into the net. Shire almost extended their lead further as Shepherd almost secured his hat-trick, but his shot was saved low down by Hart.
Annan had a chance to pull a goal back in second-half stoppage time as Todd’s corner picked out Osadolor, but his header was met with a good save by Barnard.
Annan could have few complaints, East Stirlingshire were the most adventurous team and they created more chances. It was a game Annan will want to forget quickly the league is already looking to be a to be a tight affair with very little between the competing teams and with 2 home games coming up it is vitally important that Annan do not take this type of form into these matches.

EAST STIRLINGSHIRE :Ritchie Bernard, Lloyd Kinnaird, Nathan Shepherd, Connor Greene, Jon Tully, Reece Donaldson, Max Wright ( Michael Wallace 89 min), Neil McCabe, Kris Faulds, Jonny Court, Andy Kay (Kyle Carruthers 83min). SUBS NOT USED: Ally Roy, Billy Vidler, Adam Murray, Darren Dollan GK.

Goals- Faulds (40) Shepherd (75,85)
ANNAN ATHLETIC: Jordan Hart, Steven Black ( Jamie Watson 63min),Steven Swinglehurst, Martin McNiff, Stuart McColm (Greig Macdonald 83min), Steven Sloan (Liam Park 67min), Scott Norman, Mathew Flynn , Peter Weatherson, Josh Todd ,Smart Osalodor. SUBS NOT USED: Blair Currie, Dan Wadge, Dan Wood, Connor Liddell,

Goals- Osadolor (34)
REFEREE: Matt Northcroft​

Attendance 294