GAME OFF - AGAIN

This weekend's scheduled home match with Queen's Park is the latest Shire game to fall victim to the weather.

The covering of snow and ice has not relented in any way, leaving little option for local ref Craig Charleston to call the match off following a lunchtime inspection.

Shire have not now played any football since the 1-0 win at Berwick Rangers on 12th December.

Meanwhile, coach Jim McInally has come out against a full winter shutdown of football in Scotland.

That is despite the fact that the snow and frost have left the team without a game for the last four weeks.

But he is instead advocating a shorter break over the festive period.

"I really think all we need to do is stop playing games in the two weeks over Christmas and New Year. I think that would be enough of a break for everyone.

"At that time people have other things on their minds than footballand crowds go down and we need to recognise that."

The coach is already expressing doubts about this weekend's encounter with Queen's Park, but remains relaxed about the prospect of playing at least three midweek matches later in the season.

"It would be different if everyone else had played their matches and we were playing catch-up, but that's not the case. Everyone is in the same position, so that makes it less of a concern.

"In any case, I think at that time of the season, in March and April, players much prefer playing matches to training."