SHIRE LOSE HEAVILY AT FORFAR

Jim McInally refused to point the finger of blame after Shire’s 5-1 defeat against league leaders, Forfar Athletic at Station Park.

The team endured a defensive disaster after a promising opening half hour in which they overcame the setback of losing an early goal  to equalise.

But the loss of two easily preventable goals before the interval proved a far too big obstacle to overcome and Forfar stretched their advantage further in the second half.

The coach conducted a half hour inquest in the visiting dressing room after  the game with his players but was in no mood to pin all the blame on certain individuals.

“It wasn’t just the defence who were at fault,” he said. “The midfield and the forwards have to play their part too. We have had some words in the dressing room, which is not something I  would normally do.

“But what was said will remain there. What I  will say is that we have to put what happened behind us and move on. And maybe I  will have to put my hand up as well because I  am responsible for what goes on out there.

“We do lack muscle in the middle of the park and unless we get on top in a game that can work against us. I knew that without Bolo and Eddie we lacked height and that was always going to be a problem against Chris Templeman.”

Jim is now hoping a week’s break will allow him the opportunity to sort things out. “We will continue to work at getting things right,” he said. “I will be looking to organise a game next week, and hopefully someone will provide us with some opposition.”

The coach also went out of his way to praise referee George Salmond. “He gave two penalties and I think he was right, they were both penalties. I don’t know why Dunny had his hand out where he did and Jamie has to learn to stay on his feet in situations like that.

“But the ref had a good game overall and we don’t have any issue with his performance.”

And he also rejected any notion that his absence from the technical area, thanks to his 12 game touchline ban, had any influence on the team’s performance.

“That’s simply not a factor. I can make decisions from where I  am in the stand. It wouldn’t have made any difference whether I  had been in the dug out or not.”

The coach is promising the team will bounce back. “We are all hurting at the moment,” he said. “I am hurting, the players are hurting and the supporters are hurting.

“I thought the fans were great today, even getting behind the team when they were 4-1 down. They deserve a lot better than they got and I want to make sure we work  hard to make things a lot better in the future.”

A full match report is now online. Just click on fixtures asnd then on the orange scoreline to read it.

shireTV  spoke to Jim McInally after the game. You can watch the interview by clicking on the shireTV  link and following the on-screen instructions.

Match highlights are now on shireTV.