Vale of Leven 1 Forth Wanderers 1


The Wanderers drew 1-1 with Vale of Leven at Millburn Park yesterday, Chris McGroarty netting the Forth goal. Martin Harty saw red in the first half but ten man Wanderers will feel it was two points dropped as they had the better of the game and played some excellent passing football at times.


Forth unsurprisingly kept faith with the starting eleven which won in Lanark last week and began brightly with only a fanatastic save by home keeper Charles Smith stopping Martin Harty from opening the scoring in the 2nd minute. The move began with good work between McKenzie and Howson, the former playing the ball into the Vale box where an excellent Chris Gordon knock-down set Harty free and the big hitman's shot looked netbound until the intervention of Smith. Forth were playing some neat passing football at this stage while the Vale were countering by trying to get the ball out to David McNaught on the left. Martin Harty was booked on 12 minutes after a late tackle, a card which took on added significance when the same player received a second yellow for dissent on 38 minutes. Forth continued to press for the opener and a McGroarty shot flew over before a Murphy back header from a McKenzie free kick went just over the bar with Smith rooted to the spot.

Chris McGroarty was pulling the strings for Forth in midfield and fired over when a free kick broke out to him and Craig Crawford was next to go close when he got his head to a McKenzie free kick but the ball went wide. McGroarty then played a neat one two with Howson and drove towards goal but his shot was easily collected by Smith. McNaught then cut in from the left as Vale threatened but the resultant shot was high and wide.

There was some tough tackling going on as both teams fought for supremacy and home debutant Kieran Docherty was forced to go off after 35 minutes with what turned out to be a broken arm - we wish him a speedy recovery. Barry Canning then appeared to be flattened although the referee waved play on, much to the consternation of Martin Harty who received a second yellow after voicing his concerns to the whistler. With Forth down to 10, Vale had an excellent opportunity almost on the whistle but as the forward broke through, David Grant executed a superb last ditch tackle and the danger was cleared. Scoreless at half time then, with Forth having the better of the play and Wanderers keeper Hutchison a virtual spectator.


Undeterred by the numerical disadvantage, the Wanderers began the second half on the front foot and Craig Crawford went close with a dipping free kick from the edge of the D. The same player tested Smith 5 minutes later but his 25 yard shot was easily held. The home side countered through David Telfer, who cleverly cut inside and made space for himself but his final shot was well wide. On the hour mark good work from Chris Gordon setup Gordon Murphy but his final shot was wide. However, the opener was only delayed one minute. Again Gordon did well out on the left and his cross was met by the onrushing Chris McGroarty who dispatched the ball into the corner of the net with the minimum of fuss. Forth continued to cause problems for the Vale defence every time they attacked and another great ball from McGroarty sent Gordon Murphy away but his attempted chip of the keeper went wide.

As the match moved into the final quarter, the home side enjoyed their best spell of the match as they sought to make their one man advantage count. Firstly, Hutchison had to punch away a rasping free kick from Alan Brown, then Mark Bowie skewed a header wide before Hutchison saved well from Gordon Martin. However, the home side were not to be denied and substitute Hugh Ward scored from close range on 80 minutes after the Forth defence failed to clear their lines.

The Wanderers were not happy to settle for a point though and continued to press and the tireless Chris Gordon went close as the match ended with Forth continuing to press for an elusive winner.

More photos from the match can be found here.


Forth team : Hutchison,Howson,S.McQuade,McKenzie,Grant,Canning,Crawford(Misanjo),
McGroarty,Harty,Gordon,Murphy(Stevenson)

Vale of Leven Match Switched to Millburn Park

This Saturday's match against Vale of Leven has been switched from Kingshill Park to the Vale's Millburn Park. This is due to Kingshill currently being unplayable and hopefully the early decision to switch will allow the match to go ahead.

Minute's Silence Before Vale of Leven Match

There will be a minute's silence before the Vale of Leven match on Saturday to allow the club to pay it's respects to lifelong supporter and programme editor Dougie Bryce who died suddenly last week.

The thoughts of everyone at Forth Wanderers are with Dougie's family and friends at this difficult time.

Lanark United 0 Forth Wanderers 3

The Wanderers progressed to the 3rd Round of the Junior Cup with an excellent 3-0 victory over local rivals Lanark United at Moor Park yesterday.

The Forth goals came from Craig Crawford and a Chris Gordon brace.

Manager Jamie McKenzie declared himself proud of his players and dedicated the win to supporter and programme editor Dougie Bryce who died suddenly during the week. Said McKenzie, "The thoughts and prayers of players and management are with his family at this time."  RIP Dougie, you'll be missed by everyone at the Forth.


Considering the recent weather Moor Park was in excellent condition, a credit to the Lanark groundstaff.
Forth made two changes to the side which overcame Girvan a fortnight ago, Stephen McQuade and Martin Harty coming in for Scott Gibb and Chris McQuade respectively.

Forth began brightly and took the lead after 6 minutes through Chris Gordon. Gordon picked up the ball just outside the box, cut inside and made space for himself before expertly curling the ball into the net, giving the home keeper no chance. Lanark responded by forcing several corners and Forth keeper Hutchison did well to block a net bound shot with his legs as the home side continued to press.

Although Lanark had plenty of possession, the Wanderers looked dangerous whenever they attacked and they almost doubled their lead on 17 minutes. Again it was that man Chris Gordon who latched on to a Gordon Murphy through ball and shot low to the keepers left but the stopper got a strong hand to it and kept it out. Chris McGroarty then went close for Forth before Martin Harty headed a Jamie McKenzie free kick narrowly over.

Lanark went close when their number 10 shot wide from a good position before a neat turn and shot from Martin Harty slipped just past the post with the keeper struggling. Chris McGroarty then went close with a shot and although Lanark forced further corners as the interval approached there was no further scoring in the half.


Forth wasted no time in increasing their lead at the start of the second half, notching a second through Craig Crawford on 47 minutes. A quick break found Crawford and McGroarty onside just inside the Lanark half and a neat one two sent Crawford bearing down on goal. As the home keeper advanced, Crawford executed a deft chip over him and into the net. Cue an interesting celebration from the scorer, who informs me that it's called the "helicrawfter", so who am I to argue !

Chris Gordon then shot narrowly past with the keeper beaten but he was not to be denied and made it 3-0 on 58 minutes. Martin Harty was sent clear on the right and elected to cut it back rather than shoot and although the initial shot was blocked, the ball feel to Gordon who buried it from 20 yards. Lanark were a beaten side at this point, although they kept plugging away and Forth keeper Hutchison was called into action on several occasions, but was equal to whatever the home side threw at him. The Yowes went down to 10 men when McCrum was sent packing for dissent and although Forth were seeing plenty of the ball and substitute Yamikani Misanjo was causing the home defence untold problems, there was no further scoring.

Overall, a disciplined performance with some resolute defending when required and some clinical finishing, which augurs well for the season ahead.

'Mon the Forth


More photos can be found here.

Forth team : Hutchison,Howson,S.McQuade,McKenzie,Grant,Canning,(Storrie),Crawford(C.McQuade),McGroarty,Harty,Gordon,Murphy(Misanjo)

Vale of Leven at home next Saturday

The Wanderers will play Vale of Leven at Kingshill Park this coming Saturday. Kick off is 2pm.

Friendly Result : Shettleston 1 Forth 1

Forth drew 1-1 with Shettleston at Glasgow Green Football Centre last night in a friendly match. Marc Storrie opened the scoring in the first half, pouncing as the 'Ton keeper failed to hold a free kick. Shettleston equalised through a penalty late in the game.

The Wanderers took the opportunity to run the rule over several trialists in the second half.

Cambuslang Game Called Off

This afternoon's match with Cambuslang has been called off.

Signing News

The Wanderers are pleased to announce Craig Crawford has re-signed for the current season and midfielder Chris McQuade, previously with Kilbirnie, has also signed for the club. Welcome aboard Chris.

Girvan 2 Forth 2 (Forth win 5-4 on penalties)

Forth overcame Girvan 5-4 on penalties yesterday at Hamilton Park, after the West of Scotland tie finished 2-2 after 90 minutes. The Wanderers scorers were Murphy and McGroarty.


Forth made four changes to the team which lost to Rossvale - Hutchison,Gibb,Chris McQuade and Crawford all coming in.

The Wanderers started well and Chris McQuade fired narrowly over before Chris Gordon won the ball in midfield, beat a defender and shot over the bar. Girvan were also contributing to an entertaining game and Forth keeper Hutchison had to look lively to block from the home number 10. A McQuade corner was then deflected by a Girvan defender onto the top of his own bar as Forth pressed for the opener. However, it was the home side who broke the deadlock. The lively Girvan number 10 timed his run down the right perfectly as an excellent through ball split the Forth defence and he gave Hutchison no chance with a clinical finish.

A McQuade corner was dummied by Gordon setting up a shot for Jamie McKenzie but the Forth manager fired over from a decent position. Barry Canning was then put through by McQuade but slipped before he was able to pull the trigger. At the other end, Hutchison again did well to save from the home number 10. Forth got the goal their play deserved on 33 minutes when Gordon Murphy bulletted a header past the home keeper from 12 yards. An entertaining half ended with both teams looking to attack but there was no further scoring.


The Wanderers created the first chance of the second half when a good run and cross by Gibb was just missed by Chris McGroarty with the goal at his mercy. Girvan then regained the lead on 53 minutes from the penalty spot, when McKenzie was adjudged to have handled in the box and the home player made no mistake. As Forth pushed further up the field in search of an equaliser, Hutchison was called into action on a couple of occasions as the home side broke quickly but the Forth keeper was more than equal to the task. On 73 minutes, the Wanderers drew level when the ball broke to Chris McGroarty 20 yards out and his shot seemed to take a slight deflection before nestling in the back of the net. That completed the scoring although Girvan had a couple of chances near the death, but overall the draw was probably a fair reflection on the game.

So on to penalties!  The first 6 penalties were scored before Hutchison saved Girvan's fourth and with the next two being scored Chris McQuade had the chance to win it for Forth but he screwed it wide. Fortunately, Girvan missed in sudden death leaving James Hughes to send the Wanderers into the next round.

Overall, decent weather, a friendly club and an entertaining match to boot.

More photos can be found here.

Forth team : Hutchison,McKenzie,Howson,Grant,Gibb(Traynor),Canning,C.McQuade,McGroarty,
Crawford(Hughes),Gordon,Murphy