FORFAR ATHLETIC 4 SHIRE 2

The club’s Scottish Cup campaign ended at the first hurdle this season after a hugely-controversial exit at the hands of Forfar Athletic at Station Park.

The team was forced to play 78 minutes with ten men after Michael Bolochoweckyj was wrongly sent-off for an offence he did not commit. After that the team were denied a clear-cut penalty when 1-0 behind while Forfar gained their two goal full-time advantage thanks to an injury-time spot kick that was hotly-disputed.

In between, Shire played some of their best football of the season and led a rousing comeback from 2-0 down to draw level before Forfar got their noses back in front, in what was otherwise an exciting cup match.

Shire coach Jim McInally opted to change his formation for the Scottish Cup match at Forfar, sticking to the same personnel but switching to a 3-5-2 with Paul Hay and Dean Richardson pushing up.

The match started in monsoon conditions and it soon became apparent the rain had left surface water all over the Station Park pitch which made the ball stick when any player tried to pass.

Not that it seemed to bother Shire too much as they settled the quicker. Jamie Stevenson was first to have a crack after just three minutes but his effort went wide. After seven minutes Stephen McGuire tried his luck and a minute later Stevenson put Andy Rodgers clean through but the keeper dived to his feetb to make a great save.

Twelve minutes in the one decision that changed the game. Ross Campbell’s shot beat Barclay but was brilliantly chested off the line by Michael Bolochoweckyj. Despite his protests that he had not handled the ball referee Frank McDermott pointed to the penalty spot and sent-off the Shire defender. There was some justice when Campbell sent the penalty kick miles over the bar.

But it still left Shire with the problem of playing 78 minutes with one man fewer than Forfar. Craig Tully dropped back and Shire simply did with a man fewer in midfield.

After 16 minutes a great crossfield pass from Stevenson found Rodgers unmarked at the back post but his shot was brilliantly saved by the keeper.

But Forfar’s numerical advantage told on 25 minutes when Templeman’s shot was saved but not held by Barclay and Campbell had the simple task of tapping-in the rebound.

The visitors showed no sign of giving up and just a minute later McGuire went on a great run that ended with a fantastic 20 yard shot that smacked off the face of the post.

On the half hour Simon Lynch was pulled down inside the box by Ian Campbell but no penalty was given this time. To make matters worse, four minutes later, Martyn Fotheringham’s corner was headed in by Andy Tod from close range.

And they were saved from going 3-0 down in 37 minutes when Stevenson hacked a Templeman header from Fotheringham’s corner off the line.

But Shire started the second period in sparkling form an just 38 seconds after the re-start Stevenson threaded a great ball through to Rodgers who cracked in a brilliant effort from the edge of the box past the keeper  to give the team a lifeline.

Only a minute later Lynch raced clear inside the box and hit a ferocious drive across the face of goal and just wide of the far post.

But having one man less left Shire vulnerable at the back and there was evidence  of that on 55 minutes when Ross Campbell hit a curling drive off Barclay’s far post.

There was no doubt Shire were on top at that stage an on 63 minutes Rodgers cut in from the wing, nutmegged Tulloch and hit a brilliant shot which the keeper made a superb save from for a corner.

However,the on-loan Dundee United youngster did not do so well from substitute David Dunn’s corner, slipping as the corner was curled straight into the far top corner of the net.

Shire had dragged the game back to 2-2 and now sensed an opportunity to secure a come-from-behind win. There were signs from the sidelines that a more attacking approach was being adopted and Scott Johnston came on with Marc McKenzie.

With such a positive approach in the closing stages it was inevitable that every time possession was surrendered Forfar would make their man advantage work for them.

It took them until 73 minutes to exploit it. Shire were caught far too short at the back and Martyn Fotheringham crossed low for Ross Cmpbell to score from close range.

Still Shire pressed on in search of an equaliser and Rodgers again came close with two efforts, the second of which produced another good save from the keeper.

Shire’s brave challenge was ended in injury time when Templeman fell inside the box under the softest of challenges and the referee awarded Forfar a second penalty. This time Ian Harty sent Barclay the wrong way from the spot.

The never-say-die attitude was exemplified after Forfar went 4-2 ahead when Stevenson sent in a spectacular free-kick that hit the keeper’s left-hand post and flew back into play.

FORFAR ATHLETIC : Grant, McCulloch, I. Campbell, M. Fothertham(Andreoni 77), Tod, McCulloch, Tulloch, Harty, Mowatt, Templeman, R. Campbell, K. Fotheringham(Gibson 88).

SHIRE : Barclay, Hay, Richardson(McKenzie 68), King, Bolochoweckyj, Tully, Weaver(Dunn 56), Stevenson, Lynch, McGuire(Johnston 68), Rodgers.

REFEREE : F. McDermott

ATTENDANCE :