[tuckersloan]

I have seen Stranraer play worse this season and win. We dominated a great deal of this game but failed to take our chances. After the midweek results and Stranraer losing Stewart back to Falkirk I fancied we could be up against it before the game. Montrose got the result I feared but they didn't really live up to expectations.

Both sides were given penalties that they didn't merit - Stranraer missed though. The referee was shocking and also gave Montrose an indirect free kick for a supposed pass back which led to the clinching goal. It clearly wasn't a pass back and this was made worse by the fact that he only turned back to make this crazy judgement when the Montrose players shouted for that decision. Previous to that it hadn't even crossed his mind by the look of it.

Mullen missed the pen and a few other chances but I can't criticise him - at least he kept working and getting into the positions. It was just one of those days at the office and we also had a couple cleared of the line. Cashmore was non-existant alongside him though and I have no idea why Britton never replaced him.

I have previously failed to awcknowledge that Britton is doing a half decent job at Stair Park this season due to my belief that this league is extremely sub-standard. After seeing Montrose (2nd and apparently one of the better teams) today I am even more convinced that this is the case. I actually thought Montrose looked better the last time they were at Stair Park.

Stranraer will need to be careful they don't start to slip but I don't think todays performance was anything to worry about. If we maintain these standards we should reach the play offs - can't consider that an achievement though given the circumstances. Even in defeat Stenhousemuir slipped up in a game they needed to win to mount a charge at the play offs.

[Mighty Mo]

Absolutely delighted with the 3 pts, always knew this was going to be a tough game. Thats 3 clean sheets and more importantly 3 wins in a row for us now. East Fife next week is huge, if East Fife are to be stopped from winning the title this is a must win for us!

[jd_mo]

tuckersloan, on Jan 5 2008, 19:24, said:

I have seen Stranraer play worse this season and win.

I wasn't at the game, but I've seen Montrose play better than they did on Wednesday and not win.

Funny old league this one, but we're starting to finally pull away from the other teams around us. I really can't see us closing the 13 point gap between us and EF before the end of the season. Am willing to eat my words though.

[farflung lichtie]

jd_mo, on Jan 5 2008, 18:44, said:

Funny old league this one, but we're starting to finally pull away from the other teams around us.

You may find there is some correlation between league position and funds invested. The league is starting to look like many pre-season predictions forecast

[Portlander]

In all fairness Stranraer could have and should have had the game wrapped up well before Montrose scored their first goal.

Full credit to Montrose, you get your chances and you take them, that's what Stranraer didn't do.

Finally, the Referee was murder. I've never seen Boyle have a good game yet. Both penalties were extremely soft and I was unsure as to why he could award a free kick for the back pass.

[the gub]

Portlander, on Jan 5 2008, 19:42, said:

In all fairness Stranraer could have and should have had the game wrapped up well before Montrose scored their first goal.

Full credit to Montrose, you get your chances and you take them, that's what Stranraer didn't do.

Finally, the Referee was murder. I've never seen Boyle have a good game yet. Both penalties were extremely soft and I was unsure as to why he could award a free kick for the back pass.

Spot on,ref gave us everything in first half and nothing in the second.We had enough chances to win four games 1-0,but fair play to Montrose took their chances and looked good on the break.

[Links_Park_Dynamo]

Rather pissed off about missing this today was all set for leaving this morning and my car wouldn't start it has now been fitted with a new starter motor and I missed out.

Still 3 points in the bag and despite how we played the points are the main thing.

[OZMO]

Watching Sky sports soccer saturday today, Elgin equalise against East Fife in the 75th min and the Mo score in the 75th minute spooky or what!! For 10 minutes we'd closed to gap to a mere 11 points, then East bloody Fife have to score with five minutes to go!!
P.S. How many hardy souls made it to the game today!

[the gub]

OZMO, on Jan 5 2008, 21:25, said:

Watching Sky sports soccer saturday today, Elgin equalise against East Fife in the 75th min and the Mo score in the 75th minute spooky or what!! For 10 minutes we'd closed to gap to a mere 11 points, then East bloody Fife have to score with five minutes to go!!
P.S. How many hardy souls made it to the game today!

4

[OZMO]

the gub, on Jan 5 2008, 21:30, said:

4

Really!!

As many as that!!!

[the gub]

OZMO, on Jan 5 2008, 21:32, said:

Really!!

As many as that!!!

All welcome anytime and they were no bother

[Blue Moon]

Portlander, on Jan 5 2008, 19:42, said:

In all fairness Stranraer could have and should have had the game wrapped up well before Montrose scored their first goal.

Full credit to Montrose, you get your chances and you take them, that's what Stranraer didn't do.

Finally, the Referee was murder. I've never seen Boyle have a good game yet. Both penalties were extremely soft and I was unsure as to why he could award a free kick for the back pass.

That about sums it up perfectly.
Two penalties and a back pass free kick, none of which were correct. Mr Boyle at his usually high standard. Getting all the big decisions wrong - consistent at least.

Just one of those days, we get presented with a soft penalty and miss it, Montrose get an even softer one and score. Thats football.

Was amused by Jim Weir and the Montrose officials after match reaction. Obviously highly delighted at getting 3 points but almost apologetic at the way it had been handed to them.

The best we have played for a few weeks and we have certainly played worse and won.

[montrosefc]

At least Stranraer can console themselves in being the best footballing side!

[montrosefc]

the gub, on Jan 5 2008, 21:30, said:

4

I know Montrose's travelling (or non-travelling) support is a bit of a joke on here, but why is Stranraer's home crowds so low?
Sub 300 crowd for second v third clash against a team who have until recently being playing at a higher level seems odd. Maybe everyone's off watching Gretna?

[ogram23]

Funny how the best footballing side are slipping down the league!

montrosefc, on Jan 5 2008, 22:30, said:

At least Stranraer can console themselves in being the best footballing side!

[the gub]

montrosefc, on Jan 5 2008, 22:34, said:

I know Montrose's travelling (or non-travelling) support is a bit of a joke on here, but why is Stranraer's home crowds so low?
Sub 300 crowd for second v third clash against a team who have until recently being playing at a higher level seems odd. Maybe everyone's off watching Gretna?

Very poor crowds and have been all season,most will be watching OF or doings what the wife says.
It's a long run to the toon for Montrose fans and well done to those who made the effort.

[Blue Moon]

montrosefc, on Jan 5 2008, 22:34, said:

I know Montrose's travelling (or non-travelling) support is a bit of a joke on here, but why is Stranraer's home crowds so low?
Sub 300 crowd for second v third clash against a team who have until recently being playing at a higher level seems odd. Maybe everyone's off watching Gretna?

Think not. Gretna is 92 miles from from Stranraer, Motherwell is slightly closer!
I think going to watch the Glasgow twins is more likely.

Like every other club in the country, we are competing against The Pub, Jeff Stelling, Playstations, Computers, Shopping, The Weather, Prices, Apathy etc etc etc

Our town being only 10000 in populus and in an area of comparative high unemployment doesnt help either - then of course all the big employers have shift workers and Saturday is another working day too.

No excuses - its poor and very frustrating.

[Stevo Fife]

Why do the best footballing side in the league always lose games against the run of play? B)

[Gordon EF]

farflung lichtie, on Jan 5 2008, 19:37, said:

You may find there is some correlation between league position and funds invested. The league is starting to look like many pre-season predictions forecast

How bizarre.

[Mon_The_Fife]

So did Tade take getting beat in good spirits today?

[montrosefc]

Blue Moon, on Jan 5 2008, 22:41, said:

Think not. Gretna is 92 miles from from Stranraer, Motherwell is slightly closer!
I think going to watch the Glasgow twins is more likely.

Like every other club in the country, we are competing against The Pub, Jeff Stelling, Playstations, Computers, Shopping, The Weather, Prices, Apathy etc etc etc

Our town being only 10000 in populus and in an area of comparative high unemployment doesnt help either - then of course all the big employers have shift workers and Saturday is another working day too.

No excuses - its poor and very frustrating.

Always thought Stranraer was bigger than Montrose, but I think our population is around 12000.
Sorry to see apathy among your fans but I guess recent relegation didn't help. Hope things pick up for you again - maybe everyone is waiting for the playoffs?

[Jimmy MCcabe]

Doubt it, we could not muster a decent crowd in the first, so doubt a third div play off game would get them interested. It does not help that we are so far away and get very little in the way of travelling support, even in the first then when the best supported team at the time St Mirren were due when did the SFL schedule one of the games for? yes you guessed it a Tuesday night, fair play to them they brought a decent crowd but only half what would have been there on a Saturday.

[Blue Moon]

Stevo Fife, on Jan 5 2008, 23:26, said:

Why do the best footballing side in the league always lose games against the run of play? B)

Fair enough if you think our view is biased, of course it is. Chris Anderson in the Sunday Mail report pretty much agrees, maybe you will take it from him.
We only have ourselves to blame. Despite being done over by the ref at the end, had we taken our chances it wouldnt have made any difference.

Mon_The_Fife, on Jan 5 2008, 23:49, said:

So did Tade take getting beat in good spirits today?

Yes.

[lawson]

Mon_The_Fife, on Jan 5 2008, 23:49, said:

So did Tade take getting beat in good spirits today?

Did Fotheringham racial abuse anybody today ?

[Ladyfan]

lawson, on Jan 6 2008, 11:43, said:

Did Fotheringham racial abuse anybody today ?

Has it been proven that he did so any other day?