MATCH PREVIEW - EAST STIRLINGSHIRE (H)

For our closing game of 2024, we welcome East Stirlingshire to Central Park with a 3pm kick off.

After an unbeaten run of four games in the Park’s Motor Group Lowland League, we will be looking to end the year on a high and a win would see us overtake our visitors in the table.


THE OPPOSITION

The Shire sit in 13th place with their last game being a fortnight ago when they lost 6-1 at home to Broxburn Athletic.

It was a slow start to the season for Pat Scullion’s side who didn’t win a match in their opening 11 league games. They have since won five games against Cumbernauld Colts (5-0 & 3-2), Linlithgow Rose (1-0), Gala Fairydean Rovers (2-0) and Broomhill (5-0).

They have had four draws against Bo’ness United (1-1), University of Stirling (2-2), Albion Rovers (2-2) and Gretna 2008 (0-0).

Defeats have come from Hearts B (1-4), Caledonian Braves (0-1), Celtic B (1-5), East Kilbride (0-3), Tranent (1-3), Linlithgow Rose (1-2), Berwick Rangers (2-3), Broxburn Athletic (0-5 & 1-6) and Caledonian Braves (0-4).

In the SPFL Trust Trophy, they beat Motherwell B at Fir Park 8-7 on penalties following a goal less draw before they went out to East Kilbride 3-1 on spot kicks at the Falkirk Stadium after a 2-2 draw.

The Scottish Gas Scottish Cup they lost 3-2 at home to Lochee United and the South Challenge Cup they won away games against Lochar Thistle 4-3, West Calder United 2-1 and Neilson 3-2 before bowing out to Pollok 3-0 at the Falkirk Stadium.


PREVIOUS PARK’S MOTOR GROUP LOWLAND LEAGUE MEETINGS

The first meeting of the sides in the Lowland League in 2022 saw us win 5-0 at Central Park thanks to goals from Sean Slaven, Ewan Thomson (2), David Struthers and Layton Bisland with the return game ending in a boring goal less draw.

Last season the Boxing Day clash at the Falkirk saw us win 3-2. Ciaran Chalmers gave us an early lead with Ynyr Liddell quickly equalising. Zac Butterworth restored our lead before Callum Murray quickly levelled before Butterworth grabbed a stoppage time winner.

The return game in March saw a 2-1 win for the Shire who took the lead just before the break through Luke Rankin. They went further ahead when a Scott Honeyman cross deflected off Ciaran Chalmers before we pulled a late goal back through Aiden McLaughlin in what turned out to be Calum Elliot’s last game in charge.

MATCH SPONSOR : JOHN FINLAY
MATCHBALL SPONSOR : COWDENBEATH FC VOLUNTEERS
CAPTAIN SPONSOR : KRIS & ANJA KANIS



MATCH OFFICIALS

REFEREE – Jamie Wilkie

ASSISTANT REFEREES – Andrew Lawrence & Stuart Robertson


ADMISSION

Adults - £11 (£12 PATG) | Concessions - £7 | 12 and under - FREE | Season tickets are valid for this game.

You can buy your ticket in advance here.


MAN OF THE MATCH AWARD

The Man of the Match award presentation will be held in the Andy Matthew Lounge with all fans welcome.


PROGRAMME

Issue 11 of the Blue Brazilian will be on sale. The 40 page issue is a double issue which also covers last week's game with Albion Rovers and will be on sale from inside the turnstiles at the cost of £3.50.




Previewer: Andrew Mullen.