The Wanderers second league game is against Maryhill at Kingshill Park on Saturday. Maryhill were the bookies favourites for the Second Division before a ball had been kicked this season, having finished last season strongly and added to their squad during the summer. Their initial league game against Rossvale was postponed last weekend and they picked up 4 points in a strong Surridge League Cup group scoring 8 and conceding 9.
Last season the honours were even with Forth triumphing 1-0 at Kingshill thanks to a Gordon Murphy goal and Maryhill winning the return 3-1. Wanderers actually led 1-0 in that game through a Paul Gemmell goal but, despite a heroic performance from Forth keeper Jim Doherty, Maryhill scored three goals in the last 20 minutes to record a deserved victory.
Looking forward to this one as it has the potential to be a cracking game.
'Mon the Forth.
St Roch's 2 Forth Wanderers 1
The Wanderers began their league campaign with a narrow defeat to St Roch's at sunny Provanmill Park yesterday.
Forth will be disappointed not to have taken something from a game they should really have won. However, a combination of poor finishing and defensive lapses meant the points stayed in Glasgow.
Chris Newall was drafted into the team in place of Craig Napier at right back, in order to combat the height of the Roch's lineup and Paul Gemmell returned at left back.
Forth started brightly and took the game to their hosts although the home keeper was rarely troubled. When he was beaten by a vicious strike from Chris McGroarty his right hand post came to his rescue. The 'Candy Rock' forced their way back into the game as the half progressed and their tall number 9 scored the opener in the 37th minute.
Forth continued to press in the second half and got their rewards when a shot come cross by Gordon Murphy was fumbled by the Roch's keeper and ended in the back of the net on 75 minutes. Rather than go on and win the game, the Wanderers lost the winner in the 83rd minute when a Roch's substitute scored. Despite pushing everyone forward the equaliser just wouldn't come.
A disappointment then although it was a good day out with Provanmill Park being a friendly sort of place.
Forth team : Clark,Newall,Gemmell(Canning),Grant,McKinlay(Napier),Stevenson,Crawford(McKay), McGroarty,Jarvie,Wright,Murphy
Forth will be disappointed not to have taken something from a game they should really have won. However, a combination of poor finishing and defensive lapses meant the points stayed in Glasgow.
Chris Newall was drafted into the team in place of Craig Napier at right back, in order to combat the height of the Roch's lineup and Paul Gemmell returned at left back.
Forth started brightly and took the game to their hosts although the home keeper was rarely troubled. When he was beaten by a vicious strike from Chris McGroarty his right hand post came to his rescue. The 'Candy Rock' forced their way back into the game as the half progressed and their tall number 9 scored the opener in the 37th minute.
Forth continued to press in the second half and got their rewards when a shot come cross by Gordon Murphy was fumbled by the Roch's keeper and ended in the back of the net on 75 minutes. Rather than go on and win the game, the Wanderers lost the winner in the 83rd minute when a Roch's substitute scored. Despite pushing everyone forward the equaliser just wouldn't come.
A disappointment then although it was a good day out with Provanmill Park being a friendly sort of place.
Forth team : Clark,Newall,Gemmell(Canning),Grant,McKinlay(Napier),Stevenson,Crawford(McKay), McGroarty,Jarvie,Wright,Murphy
Shotts Bon Accord 4 Forth Wanderers 1
Forth were well beaten by Shotts tonight at an extremely wet Hannah Park.
Shotts, apparently without several first team regulars, were the better team throughout although the Wanderers had some decent periods of play especially in the first half.
From the start Shotts made good use of the expanse of Hannah Park and Forth had trouble throughout the game dealing with the pace down both wings. Although Forth had some decent possession they were unable to create any clear cut chances within the final third in the early part of the first half.
After some sustained pressure, including several corner kicks, Shotts finally made the breakthrough when their number 9, who was a threat throughout the match, stroked home from a cross 10 minutes from the interval. Two minutes later however, Forth were level after Kris Jarvie turned in an excellent left wing cross from Gordon Murphy. This goal was somewhat contrversial as the stand side linesman initially raised his flag for offside before putting it down and allowing the attack to continue.
Just as it looked as if the Wanderers would go in level at half time, Shotts were awarded a penalty when Lewis McKinlay handled after appearing to slip as a result of the wet underfoot conditions. The Shotts number 7 made no mistake from the spot.
Shotts continued to dominate in the second half and increased their lead after goalkeeper Clark blocked a free kick from the edge of the box only for the Shotts number 9 to follow up and score.The scoring was completed by Shotts substitute number 16.
On a sour note, one Shotts player was carried off on a stretcher after a seemingly innocuous foul and an ambulance was waiting at the end of the game. Here's hoping he makes a full recovery.
Forth team : Clark,Napier,Murphy,Grant,McKinlay,Stevenson(Canning),Crawford,McGroarty,Wright(Newall),Jarvie(Mathers),Harty
Next up the 'Candy Rock' away in the first match of the league campaign.
'Mon the Forth.
Shotts, apparently without several first team regulars, were the better team throughout although the Wanderers had some decent periods of play especially in the first half.
From the start Shotts made good use of the expanse of Hannah Park and Forth had trouble throughout the game dealing with the pace down both wings. Although Forth had some decent possession they were unable to create any clear cut chances within the final third in the early part of the first half.
After some sustained pressure, including several corner kicks, Shotts finally made the breakthrough when their number 9, who was a threat throughout the match, stroked home from a cross 10 minutes from the interval. Two minutes later however, Forth were level after Kris Jarvie turned in an excellent left wing cross from Gordon Murphy. This goal was somewhat contrversial as the stand side linesman initially raised his flag for offside before putting it down and allowing the attack to continue.
Just as it looked as if the Wanderers would go in level at half time, Shotts were awarded a penalty when Lewis McKinlay handled after appearing to slip as a result of the wet underfoot conditions. The Shotts number 7 made no mistake from the spot.
Shotts continued to dominate in the second half and increased their lead after goalkeeper Clark blocked a free kick from the edge of the box only for the Shotts number 9 to follow up and score.The scoring was completed by Shotts substitute number 16.
On a sour note, one Shotts player was carried off on a stretcher after a seemingly innocuous foul and an ambulance was waiting at the end of the game. Here's hoping he makes a full recovery.
Forth team : Clark,Napier,Murphy,Grant,McKinlay,Stevenson(Canning),Crawford,McGroarty,Wright(Newall),Jarvie(Mathers),Harty
Next up the 'Candy Rock' away in the first match of the league campaign.
'Mon the Forth.
Forth Wanderers 3 Carluke Rovers 2 - The Wright Stuff !
Forth fought back from two goals down to defeat Carluke at Kingshill Park this afternoon with goals from Alan Cameron and a double from second half debutant Kenny Wright.
Carluke had raced into a two goal lead in the first half but Forth didn't let the heads go down and kept at them. They were rewarded when Alan Cameron tapped in just prior to the interval. The introduction of Kenny Wright at half time seemed to rejuvenate Forth and they wasted no time in going for the jugular. It was mainly one way traffic toward the Carluke goal and Rovers seemed to have no answer to Wright's pace and movement. It therefore came as no surprise when Wright notched the equaliser and then hit what proved to be the winner with around 15 minutes remaining. Once fully fit, he should score goals for fun at this level and certainly gives a different option in attack. Both teams also hit the woodwork in the second half but overall Forth merited the victory.
Next match is away at Shotts on Wednesday and it'll be interesting to see how the Wanderers fare against a team two divisions above them.
Forth team : Weir,Gemmell,Napier,Grant,McKinlay,Stevenson,Crawford,McGroarty(Canning),Jarvie, Cameron,Grant (Wright)
Carluke had raced into a two goal lead in the first half but Forth didn't let the heads go down and kept at them. They were rewarded when Alan Cameron tapped in just prior to the interval. The introduction of Kenny Wright at half time seemed to rejuvenate Forth and they wasted no time in going for the jugular. It was mainly one way traffic toward the Carluke goal and Rovers seemed to have no answer to Wright's pace and movement. It therefore came as no surprise when Wright notched the equaliser and then hit what proved to be the winner with around 15 minutes remaining. Once fully fit, he should score goals for fun at this level and certainly gives a different option in attack. Both teams also hit the woodwork in the second half but overall Forth merited the victory.
Next match is away at Shotts on Wednesday and it'll be interesting to see how the Wanderers fare against a team two divisions above them.
Forth team : Weir,Gemmell,Napier,Grant,McKinlay,Stevenson,Crawford,McGroarty(Canning),Jarvie, Cameron,Grant (Wright)
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