Post-Stirling Match Post-Mortem - the press

Last updated : 14 December 2009 By Fargone

punchfrom The Courier:    INJURY-RAVAGED ARBROATH produced a remarkable turnaround in a seven-goal Gayfield festive cracker but Jim Weir’s men just came up short in their quest for seasonal joy, losing 4-3.

Lichties fans were heading for the exits at the interval after watching their side seemingly downed by three STIRLING ALBION strikes in a half which saw manager Weir come out of retirement to bolster the depleted Angus ranks.

A 22nd minute opener from Paul Murphy and David O’Brien’s double within seven minutes of the break put Allan Moore’s men firmly in control, and the visiting gaffer felt comfortable enough to switch his side around as the game entered its final quarter— a move he openly admitted was an error of judgment.

Steve Hislop’s 75th minute header from a Keith Gibson corner gave the Lichties their opener, before sub Bryan Scott hauled the hosts right back into things just two minutes later.

When Hislop bagged his second with seven minutes left, the home side looked set to gain the deserved point that would have probably felt like a moral victory—until Binos sub Michael Mullen spared his side’s blushes with a winning drive right at the death.

“To do what we did and then get hit by the sucker punch at the end—we’re gutted,” said Weir.  We showed character to get back into the game, but we’re not getting any luck just now.  The situation is incredible. We’re so stretched and have players who aren’t fully fit or are being asked to play out of position so to do what we did and lose is a hard one to take.

“We can’t take away from the first-half performance, that was unacceptable and I’m disappointed with the goals we lost. But if everyone looks at the bigger picture and we keep showing that sort of character I’m sure we’ll turn the corner.”

Moore admitted Mullen’s late winner had spared him a red face. “I thought the game was dead and buried at half-time and made changes, but we then lost our shape, lost goals and made it difficult.”

P&J