Football and Rugby

ANNAN HAVE SHARE OF THE POINTS

IRN BRU SFL Division 3    -   MONTROSE 1 ANNAN ATHLETIC 1

HT 1-0  Annan – B Gilfillan 64 min :  Montrose – P Tosh 13 min.

FOR the second successive week Annan Athletic had to be content with a share of the points after drawing with Montrose at Links Park.

Annan were never in any real trouble against the home team but they fell victim to a penalty in the 13^th minute when a clumsy Jordan Halsman challenge on Aaron Sinclair left referee David Somers with no option and Paul Tosh slammed home the spot kick to give Montrose the early advantage.

The goal however did little to inspire the home team who failed to seriously test Craig Summersgill in an otherwise uneventful first half. Annan for their part were disappointing in the final third and like Montrose posed little or no threat . The nearest Annan did come to scoring came towards half time when John Macbeth finished one of his trademark runs with a good shot which Scott Bennet punched for a corner kick.

Annan picked up the tempo in the second half and two efforts from Ian Harty in the 48^th and 51^st minutes signalled the start of a period of sustained pressure from Annan. Gilfillan’s 55^th minute effort from the edge of the box came close after Ian Harty had taken up a great position. Jack Steele was introduced in the 60^th minute at the expense of Mike Jack , minutes later Aaron Muirhead conceded a free kick on the edge of the box but Conner Thomsons shot was blocked by Annan’s defensive wall.

Annan’s pressure eventually paid off when Bryan Gilfillan rose unchallenged at the back post to head a David Cox corner over the arms of Scot Bennet. Annan pushed forward and a minute later Montrose breathed a huge sigh of relief when from an almost identical position Gilfillan headed over from another Cox corner.

Montrose found it difficult to mount a serious threat on the Annan goal and the nearest Montrose came to scoring came in the 72^nd minute when Daryl Nicol’s free kick sailed over the bar.

Annan continued to look the team most likely to break the deadlock and the introduction of striker Pat Walker for Jordan Halsman was a clear signal that Annan were not content with a share of the points.

The home team had to endure a late barrage of Annan pressure who forced numerous corners as the game edged towards the final whistle.

Harry Cairney conceded it was a bit of rashness that lead to the Montrose goal, we started very well and conceded the advantage to Montrose. We asked the team to put Montrose under pressure in the second half to see what Montrose had and to be fair we did that without creating many chances from open play.Most of our threat came from set play and with a little more composure in the last third I feel we could have made our advantage tell. We are still unbeaten which is pleasing and there are times when you are happy to come away from home with a point but the way the game went today it was probably 2 points lost as opposed to a point gained, that was the way I saw it but Montrose may see it differently. 

Montrose – Bennet, McNally (McCord 80min), Pope, Campbell, Crighton, Hegarty, Milligan, Davidson (Smith 25 min), Tosh, Thomson ( Nicol 71 min), Sinclair. Substitutes not used Fleming and Wood.

Annan Athletic – Summersgill, Muirhead, Macbeth, Aitken, Neilson, Gilfillan, S Sloan, Jack ( Steele 85 min), Harty , Cox, Halsman ( Walker 76 min). Substitutes not used Jamieson , Jardine and Felvus.

Attendance  - 332.        

Referee – David Somers.      

TABLE TOPPERS FOR A WEEK

ARBROATH 0 ANNAN ATHLETIC 2

HT 2-0 Annan – D Cox 36 min , K Neilson 38 min

ANNAN'S excellent start to the Irn Bru Third Division continued on Saturday with a two goal victory over Arbroath.

Like the previous week the foundations for victory were laid in the first half when two goals in the space of two minutes left the home team reeling and despite a spirited second half performance where Arbroath enjoyed a  vast amount of possession they could not break down a resolute Annan defence.

Annan had a let off in the opening minute when Danny Griffin sent a powerfull header past the post from a corner kick. Annan took the game to Arbroath and Steven Sloan had a clear chance to head Annan ahead in the tenth minute from a Jordan Halsman cross but the header carried no conviction and the opportunity was lost

Arbroath breathed a sigh of relief in the 14^th minute when Andy Aitken’s cross to the back post was headed into the path of Bryan Gilfillan but the well struck shot went agonisingly wide. Arbroath responded when Jordyn Sheerin connected with a free kick but the header flashed past the post.

The game was well balanced , Ian Harty made space with a good run combining with Cox who shot wide with Harty having taken up a great position on the edge of the box. Harty was once again at the centre of another good move involving Gilfillan in the 24^th minute.

Gilfillan then conceded a free kick on the edge of the box when he brought down Gavin Swankie but Danny Griffin’s free kick sailed over the cross bar.

The opening goal arrived in the 37^th minute and it was a well constructed goal from Annan which unlocked the home defence. Halsman and Harty created the space down the left and the pin point cross to the heart of the Arbroath defence found David Cox ghosting in behind his marker to head home from 4 yards.

Arbroath were then dealt another hammer blow two minutes later when Kevin Neilson’s back post header from a David Cox corner kick was headed into the net.

The home side made a determined effort at the start of the second half to reduce the arrears but Annan’s commanding defence rarely looked like being breached.

Darren Hill then pulled off an important save to deny Ian Harty in the 60^th minute following a superb move which ended up with Harty one on one with the home keeper. Craig Summersgill pulled off a brilliant full length save to deny Josh Falkingham in the 63^rd minute and almost  immediately at the other end Cox made a great run down the right flank ending with a ball across the face of the goal to the unmarked Jordan Halsman who sent in a good effort wide of the upright.

The home team used their full compliment of substitutes in an effort find a combination to unlock the Annan defence but it was all to no avail and Annan comfortably held out for a second successive victory.

It was a happy return to Gayfield for Annan boss Harry Cairney who said it was a good team performance there was nobody outstanding but collectively as a unit we were superb today everybody worked hard and the defence maintained their discipline particularly in the second half when we limited Arbroath to set pieces apart from the effort from Josh Falkingham which was well saved by Summersgill.

Arbroath- Hill. McMullen, McCulloch, Falkingham, Malcom, Griffin, Swankie, Gibson (Dimilta 68 min), J Sheerin (R Ross 76 MIN), McGowan, P Sheerin ( Nimmo 79 min). Substitutes not used Shields and Burns.

Annan Athletic - Summersgill; Muirhead, Macbeth, Aitken, Neilson, Gilfillan, S Sloan, Jack ( C Jardine 64 min)), Harty ( Felvus 87 min ), Cox (Walker 87 min), Halsman. Substitutes not used Jamieson and Lawless.

East Stirling – Andrews, Donaldson, Richardson, Neil, Tulley (Stevenson 65 min), Hay, Weaver, Cawley, McGuire, Dunn ( Ure 65 min), S Jamieson ( Walker 65 min). Substitutes not used G Sorley and D Kelly.

Attendance  - 506

Referee – Kevin Clancy . Assistants Steven Craven and Graham Beaton .

CAIRNEY HAPPY WITH SQUAD

ANNAN Athletic manager Harry Cairney says it's unlikely that he'll be bringing any more new faces before the transfer window closes.

As he prepares for a tough match against Arbroath, who were relegated last season, he warned that it won't be easy at Gayfield.

Cairney said: "I think it's unlikely that we will have any more signings just now. I think we will go with what we've got at the moment.

"We've already brought in some experienced players like Andy Aitken, Ian Harty and Pat Walker and I'm quite happy with them.  We've also got a couple of on-loan signings from Motherwell so we are looking pretty good."

He added: "What we don't want is injuries but we've still got Greg Kelly out because of work commitments and Graeme Bell has gone through his operation and once he's fit he should be fighting for a place.

"When he comes back it will be like having a new signing. We have a lot of options up front now and the defence has tightened up as well."

Cairney was delighted with last week's win over East Stirlingshire and said: "We played really well for the first 20 minuets and scored the goals. We went with a back three and then changed it to four.

"Last year we didn't make a good start and we've already got more points that we had in the first three or four games. Now we have to continue that form."

The Galabank gaffer knows a number of the players in the Arbroath squad and is under no illusions about the task facing his squad.

"They have may have been relegated last season but they've brought in a number of players including Gavin Swankie and Paul Sheering who were full time."

FIRST HALF GOAL RUSH AT GALABANK

ANNAN ATHLETIC 3 EAST STIRLINGSHIRE 1

HT- 3-1

Annan – Jack 16, Halsman 17, Sloan 20. East Stirlingshire – Cawley 38

A THREE goal scoring burst in four minutes shattered ‘Shire and set Annan on the victory trail

It was a dream start for the home side’s league programme and manager Harry Cairney was delighted with the first half showing.

Bryan Gilfillan made the running in the 16^th minute down the right before setting up Mike Jack who blasted the ball into the net via the upright.

A minute later and Annan were two up as Aaron Muirhead and and Ian Harty combined to break down the visiting defence before David Cox latched on to the ball. He crossed to Jordan Halsman who side-footed the ball into the net.

Then in the 20^th minute Cox cut the ball back to Steven Sloan who shot home from six yards.

‘Shire tried hard to get back into the game bu all they had to show in the first half was a 38^th minute goal when Craig Donaldson’s cross was headed into the Annan net by Kevin Cawley with the help of keeper Craig Summersgill.

Harty should have added a fourth in the 55^th minute but his shot was cleared off the line and his second attempt was stopped by a defender.

Then Stephen McGuire had three chances midway through the half but his shots all went wide.

Annan Athletic – Summersgill; Muirhead, MacBeth, Neilson, Aitken, Gilfillan, Sloan,  Jack (Walker 75), Harty (Felvus 84), Cox, Halsman. Subs not used – Jamieson (kpr); Jardine, Lawless.

East Stirlingshire – Andrews; Donaldson, Richardson, Neil, Tully (Walker 65), Hay, Weaver, Cawley, McGuire, Dunn (Ure 65), Johnson (Stephenson 65). Subs not used – Sorley (kpr), Kelly.

Attd - 539

Referee – Mr Des Roach.

LATE GOAL SINKS ANNAN

ANNAN ATHLETIC 0 PARTICK THISTLE 1

HT- 0-1

Donnelly (84)

THISTLE breathed a sigh of relief after scraping through by the only goal of the match at Galabank against a stubborn home side.

Simon Donnelly broke the deadlock in the 84^th minute when the home defence appeared to switch off.

David Rowson slipped the ball through to the unmarked Donnelly and he tucked the ball into the corner of the net.

Debut boy Iain Flannigan almost set up the first goal in five minutes from a corner but David Rowson shot was blocked by keeper Craig Summersgill.

Annan’s Bryan Gilfillan blasted the ball over the bar in 10 minutes and then Flannigan, who was looking dangerous saw his shot blocked by Aaron Muirhead in 26 minutes.

Just before the interval Ryan MacBeth had a 20 yarder just past the post and Flannigan’s header went inches over the bar.

Thistle came away strongly in the second half and Buchanan had a weak header stopped in the 55^th minute before Ian Harty, at the other end, hit the post with an overhead kick.

Two minutes After Donnelly scored for Thistle they breathed a sigh of relief as they watched Mike Jack’s shot was deflected inches past for a corner.

Annan Athletic – Summersgill; Muirhead, MacBeth, Neilson ( Lawless 83), Aitken, Gilfillan, Sloan, Jardine (Jack 67), Harty, Walker, Halsman (Cox 70). Subs not used – Jamieson (kpr); Watson.

Partick Thistle – Halliwell, Paton, Boyle, MacBeth (Cairney (46), Robertson, Kinniburgh, Flannigan, Rowson, Buchanan, Donnelly, Hodge (Erskine 60). Subs not used – Hinchcliffe (kpr), Grechan, McGeoch.

Attd - 1040

Referee – Mr Charlie Richmond.

BIG Jim Thomson made 'comeback'

The former Queen of the South star  made a token appearance during his testimonial match at Palmerston Park against the might Rangers.
Ibrox manager Walter Smith brought  his first team squad for the match on Sunday, only two days before they set out for Australia.
Queens manager Kenny Brannigan  used the match as a pre-season warm-up and it will come in the middle of a busy time preparing for the new season which starts a week later with cup ties for the opening two fixtures.
Queens start the pre-season build up with a trip to play Gretna 2008 on Monday night followed by a match at Galabank against Annan Athletic.
Thomson, who was in charge of the Queens Under 19's last season and is enjoying his role as a community schools coach as well, says it's 'brilliant' that the Rangers manager is bringing such a strong side.
"Queens have also been very supportive and the fans here at Palmerston are the best I've every played against," he said.
Tickets for the match go on sale tomorrow and Sunday at Palmerston and and the big ex-defender said: "It will be the Rangers first real match of the season and they're off to Australia two days later. For them to fit me in like this is just tremendous.
Jim and the Rangers manager go back a long way and he explained: "When I was a player at Clyde back in the early `90s, Walter`s son was a team-mate of mine and he used to come along regularly to watch him play.
"I got to know Walter quite well and I was naturally delighted when he agreed to bring his Rangers side down to Dumfries."
Jim has been a Queens player for nearly 12 years and chalked up 358 first team appearances.

NEW MAN IN CHARGE

ANNAN ATHLETIC'S new assistant manager will be in charge this week.
Andy Aitken gets his first taste of running the Galabank side with manager Harry Cairney on holiday.
Annan start their pre-season warm-up this weekend with a  trip to Dalbeattie Star.
For a number of the players it will be a return to their former 'home' club - Dalbeattie Star.
For a number of the Annan regulars were signed from the Dalbeattie side over the last couple of seasons.
Aitken will be in charge of the side as manager Harry Cairney is on holiday for two weeks.
The assistant manager said: "I'm looking forward to the pre-season and I'll likely play on Saturday and Wednesday. We've got a good squad and everyone will get their minutes.
"The main thing is to get everyone up to full fitness in preparation for the new season."
Annan travel to Penrith on Monday night to face the local side there and then on Wednesday night they play Queen of the South at Palmerston Park.
Chairman Henry McClelland said: "Everyone is looking forward to getting started again and we've got three games in the next week.
"It's a good chance for Andy with the manager being on holiday and he'll be looking forward to being in charge."
* MEANWHILE Stuart Rome, manager of Gretna 2008 has fixed up eight friendlies starting on Monday night when Queen of the South visit Raydale.
Former Gretna young star Daniel Carmichael, who signed for Queens earlier this year will be up against his old club.
Rome said: "I`m looking forward to meeting young Daniel again on Monday night even though it will be a bit strange seeing him in the blue of Queens."
On Thursday night Workington will be the visitors to Raydale.