Saints face pitch battle

Jun 5 2009 by Paul Behan, Paisley Daily Express

ST MIRREN will have to overcome a potential banana skin if they hope to enjoy a fruitful campaign in next season’s Co-operative Insurance League Cup after being handed a tricky tie in yesterday’s first round draw.

The Buddies must travel to Third Division side East Stirlingshire in what will be their first competitive fixture in the 2009/10 season.

While lower league opposition would not normally present a significant hurdle for Gus MacPherson’s men to overcome, the fact they will have to face the ’Shire on an artificial pitch makes things more intriguing.

But, last night, St Mirren’s general manager Brian Caldwell said the Buddies’ new training complex in Ralston will provide the players with preparation for the cup tie.

He told Express Sports: “Once the Ralston training ground is up and running, the players will have a week leading up to the East Stirlingshire game to train on our new state-of-the-art astro-grass surface, should Gus choose to do so.

“Our new training complex in Ralston is going well and, when the players return for pre-season, they will have ample opportunity to play and train on our artificial surface. I’m sure the manager will have the players prepared for the start of the competitive season.”

MacPherson’s side will take on East Stirlingshire – who are managed by former Morton boss Jim McInally – on the synthetic pitch at Ochilview in Stenhousemuir.

This is because McInally’s men are currently groundsharing with Stenhousemuir after selling their own Firs Park home.

And there could be concerns that the Saints stars will be more likely to pick up knocks as they have to play on an artificial surface so early in the season.

The first round League Cup ties are expected to be played on Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2 but the exact date of the match between East Stirlingshire and St Mirren has yet to be finalised. This is because Stenhousemuir were also handed a home tie against SPL new boys St Johnstone.

And, as Ochilview is their permanent home, while East Stirlingshire are merely tenants, it could well be Saints will be told to play their game on the Sunday.

Caldwell added: “We think it’s more than likely we’ll have to play on the Sunday because it’s our understanding that Stenhousemuir will want to host their game on the Saturday.”