Annan share with the Shire

Apr 15 2009 by Our Correspondent, Dumfries Standard Wednesday

ANNAN had the opportunity to equal their hosts’ points tally in the league but, despite going in front early on, they failed to maintain their advantage and had to finally settle for a draw.

Thus in a game of poor quality both teams had to be content with a point apiece because in truth neither team deserved to win, and so, Athletic remain three points worse off than Shire.

The match got off to a poor start with good passing at a premium and 10 minutes had elapsed before Jamie Dunbar fired the opening shot well wide of target.

Shire’s reply came from Andy Rodgers who spotted Craig Summersgill out of his goal and tried to lob the keeper from distance, but the execution of the strike was woeful with the ball drifting high over the bar as Summersgill scrambled back to his line.

Annan went ahead after 18 minutes from a set piece.

Lee Hoolickin’s well flighted flag kick was headed powerfully goalwards by Kevin Neilson.

lBut just as the fans were getting ready to acclaim the goal, Shire’s Sean Anderson booted clear off the line.

Unfortunately for him the clearance landed conveniently for Phil Storey, who was hovering around penalty spot range, and he rammed home the opener.

A good goal in the end which together with Shire's equaliser provided the only highlights of an otherwise dreary afternoon.

However, the lead lasted all of seven minutes before Brian Graham set up Andy Rodgers for his 13th goal of the season.

Graham’s contribution was to give Rodgers the ball and his fellow striker takes all the credit for deceiving his marker with a clever bodyswerve before beating Summersgill with a low shot from the edge of the area.

Had it not been for the goals the first half would have been as forgetable as the second with both sides failing miserably to find any sort of rhythm with defences well on top of two struggling attacks.

Apart from fielding the odd through ball and taking a few goal kicks the keepers were never in trouble and there was huge relief all round when the final whistle finally brought an end to two poor performances.

EastStirlingshire: Peat, King, Bolochoweckjy, Tully, Hay, Weaver, Anderson (McKenzie 52), Ure (Dunn 68), Stevenson, Graham (Kelly 68),Rodgers.

Unused subs:Richardson, Newman.

Annan Athletic: Summersgill, Neilson, Townsley, Inglis, Macbeth, Sloan, Jack, Hoolickin, Adamson (Cusack 70),Storey, Dunbar(Campbell 78).

Unused subs:Jardine,Bell,Calder.

Referee: Mr Gary Hilland.