East Stirlingshire

      Motherwell 3-0 East Stirlingshire

      Motherwell's Marvin Johnson, Scott McDonald and Chris Cadden all struck in the 3-0 win over East Stirling which keeps their side on course for the Betfred Cup last 16.However, Mark McGhee's team had to wait until the 53rd minute for Johnson's breakthrough after failing to make the most of their early openings.McDonald netted the second on 77 minutes before Cadden's late third wrapped up the Ladbrokes Premiership outfit's second Group F win. Another victory at Stranraer on Saturday should see them follow Rangers into the knockout rounds.McGhee made four changes to the side which beat Annan on Saturday, with Craig Clay handed a start in midfield.The former Grimsby midfielder had agreed a short-term deal specifically to allow the Well boss time to assess him in action against the Shire and he did well enough to suggest a longer contract could be in the offing.But there was a more familiar face in the home dugout as James McFadden returned to Fir Park to start work as McGhee's new assistant.Predictably, it was one-way traffic as Motherwell swarmed over the Lowland League part-timers - but East Stirling keeper Darren Dolan did well to deny Johnson and McDonald early on.Motherwell's failure to maintain their smart tempo, though, allowed Shire to settle and they even mustered a shot on Well stopper Craig Samson's goal when Derek Ure took aim from distance.Their brave resistance stretched into the second half but Johnson eventually found the space he needed for the opener, collecting a pass from the tidy looking Clay before spinning and firing past Dolan.With the handbrake off, Ben Heneghan, Lionel Ainsworth, Clay and Johnson all came close to a second but it took McDonald's close-range header from a Cadden cross to put daylight between the sides.Cadden was just as clinical four minutes from time as he picked out the bottom corner from Richard Tait's cut-back.ends
      • 8Y
      • PA Sport

      East Stirlingshire

      SOCCER

        East Stirlingshire 0-3 Rangers

        Joe Dodoo and Josh Windass grabbed their first Rangers goals as the Ibrox men all but booked their place in the last 16 of the Betfred Cup with a 3-0 win over East Stirling.Former Accrington youngster Windass has made an encouraging start to his Ibrox career since moving north this summer.And after impressing against Motherwell and Annan in their opening two Group F clashes, the 22-year-old playmaker opened his Gers account as Mark Warburton's team made it three wins from three against John Sludden's part-timers.An early Andy Halliday penalty had the visitors ahead before Windass prodded home 10 minutes before the break.Gers treated the second period as a training exercise but Warburton did hand new signing Dodoo the last half an hour to introduce himself to the travelling support and he made his mark with a stoppage-time tap-in.The Ibrox men are yet to get up to full speed but even the sticky Ochilview plastic pitch could not slow them down as Gers toyed with the Lowland League minnows from the off.Windass fired wide in the opening minutes before Harry Forrester did the same after Kenny Miller sent him flying in behind the home defence.East Stirling's resistance lasted just a quarter of an hour, though. Referee Crawford Allan was quick to spot Ross Fisher's tug on Barrie McKay in the box and the punishment was a Halliday penalty which fizzed past Darren Dolan's reach.The only surprise was it took until the 35th minute for the Light Blues to double their lead. Halliday sprayed the ball wide for McKay, who wasted little time sending his cross to the back post. Windass' first shot was blocked by Adam Murray but the 22-year-old made sure he found the net with his second.Miller somehow blazed over from 10 yards out just before the interval and Rangers were subdued somewhat after the break when Windass failed to return as he limped off clutching his thigh.Forrester and Niko Kranjcar had efforts after the break, while Dodoo could not make an instant impact as his first sight of goal had the sting taken out of it by a deflection.However, a couple of clever touches from the former Leicester striker hinted there is more to come from the 21-year-old and he made no mistake late on, netting from close range after Lee Wallace laid it on a plate.Rangers can guarantee top spot by winning their final group match in Monday's visit of Stranraer.ends
        • 8Y
        • PA Sport

        East Stirlingshire

        SOCCER

        East Stirlingshire

        SOCCER

        East Stirlingshire

        SOCCER

        Back to Top

        2024-25 SPFL League Two Standings

        TeamGPWDLGDP
        Elgin City13751+726
        Peterhead13733+624
        East Fife13724+1323
        Stirling Albion13616-319
        Edinburgh City13535-118
        Spartans FC13445+216
        Bonnyrigg Rose13625014
        Stranraer13337-612
        Clyde13265-712
        Forfar Athletic13238-119