Weir steps down from Station Park hot-seat

FORFAR ATHLETIC 0 FALKIRK 2

Forfar last night announced that manager Jim Weir had resigned from the Station Park post.

Saturday’s defeat by Falkirk left the club bottom of the table and Weir contacted chairman Ross Graham yesterday to tender his resignation for personal reasons.

The former Hearts and St Johnstone player, who has also managed Montrose, Arbroath and Brechin, was involved in a car accident in September and has found it hard to work on a full recovery alongside his business interests and the pressures of parttime football management.

Despite a recent run of defeats, Weir had the full backing of the board and thanked all at Station Park for the support he has received since taking over the reins in October 2017 from Gary Bollan.

Graham, who will meet with the club directors early this week to discuss the way ahead, expressed his gratitude for Weir’s efforts during his time in charge, when he took the team to second place behind Angus rivals Arbroath, losing out to Raith Rovers in last season’s Championship play-off semi-finals.

Assistant manager Barry Smith said after Saturday’s defeat by the new league leaders he saw some encouraging signs.

“Nobody likes to lose a game and it is always disappointing to get beat, but when you look at the work rate and the effort the boys put in, there is a lot to take from the game,” he said.

Forfar forced the early pace and created a chance through Dale Hilson after seven minutes but he fired just wide of the target.

Falkirk responded well and opportunities came their way in the 12th and 19th minutes.

Gregor Buchanan headed across the area although there were no takers for the visitors, then Connor Salmon tried his luck from the edge of the box, but was off target.

The Bairns continued to ramp up the pressure. Aidan Connolly just couldn’t get his head to a teasing cross before Ian McShane forced the Forfar keeper into action with a long range effort.

The breakthrough came in the 33rd minute when a corner resulted in a goalmouth scramble and Marc Durnan forced the ball over the line.

The second half saw Falkirk continue on top. McShane went close in the 55th minute, Louis Longridge fired in an effort late on and Connolly really should have hit the target after a great break.

Forfar’s faint hopes of scrambling a point were extinguished four minutes from time when Michael Travis headed into his own net after Connolly sent over a cross.