Forfarshire professional Kelby Pickering has challenged his team to take its strong home form on the road for tomorrow's match at struggling Greenock.

The Premier Division newcomers slipped up at home last weekend, suffering their first Forthill defeat this season when Carlton beat them.

But Pickering hopes the young players can learn from their mistakes as they try to repeat the best of their Forthill form on the road.

He said: “It was a disappointing result last week, but we can have no complaints as we were outplayed. It hurts even more when you see the other sides at the top of the division also losing.

“It is going to happen when you have a young side like ours. This is our first season back in the Premier Division and it is a big learning curve for the players.

“We've done really well at home - until last weekend - but the challenge now is to take our home form into away games. Greenock have struggled so far and if we want to address our away form we have to be looking to win this one.”

The defeat last weekend meant Shire slipped from second to mid-table, but Pickering is confident his team can continue to challenge in the top half of the division.

He said: “We have proven we are a competitive match for any side on our day, but it is a question of finding consistency now. We don't have the experience of other sides, but we are learning quickly. Graeme Black, for example, has had a great start to the season and has been by far our most consistent bowler.

“He cannot do it all by himself, though, and we need some of the other bowlers in the side to step up.”

This article first appeared in the Press and Journal and is reproduced with their kind permission.