Away to Blantyre Vics this Saturday

Forth will now play Blantyre Vics at Castle Park this coming Saturday 5th November with a 2pm kick-off.
This is as a result of our original opponents Lesmahagow playing Whitehills in the Junior Cup.

Lesmahagow Match Postponed

Due to Lesmahagow's Scottish Cup tie being postponed today and re-scheduled for next week, the Forth game against the 'Gow will not now take place next Saturday.

Forth Wanderers 0 Camelon 2

Camelon progressed to the 3rd round of the Scottish Cup with a hard fought 2-0 victory over the Wanderers at a wet and windy Kingshill Park this afternoon.



Two second half goals separated the sides although things could've been different had Chris McGroarty converted a gilt-edged opportunity with the teams still level. Two harsh sendings off for the Forth compounded the misery and ended any realistic chance of an upset.





Forth matched their Super League opponents during the first half without really troubling the Camelon keeper. Wright and Canning both shot over while a McGroarty free kick was deflected into the keepers arms. The Camelon number 11 had perhaps the best chance of the first half but lacked composure and blasted wildly over.



Forth began the second half on the front foot and should've taken the lead when a pinpoint cross from Bryan Felvus was met by the head of Chris McGroarty six yards out but the header sailed agonisingly over. This was to prove costly as Camelon opened the scoring through their number 10, who looked suspiciously offside,
despite the best efforts of Lewis McKinlay on the line. Camelon were now in the ascendancy and it was no surprise when they doubled their advantage through their number 7.

The referee then took centre stage sending off Barry Canning for what appeared no more than a strong 50/50 tackle and then awarding Camelon a penalty when Lewis McKinlay accidentally handled on the line. McKinlay was also sent packing but Camelon hit the post with the penalty and the 9 men of Forth still had a glimmer of hope. Chances were at a premium however and were mainly restricted to long-range free kicks. Unsurprisingly, Camelon created several further chances with their numerical superiority but a combination of good goalkeeping and poor finishing meant the game ended without any further scoring.

Overall, a disappointing result as Forth weren't at their best, but the Wanderers certainly weren't disgraced against their East Super League opponents.

'Mon the Forth

Forth team : Clark,Napier,Murphy,McKinlay,Grant,Stevenson(Newall),Canning,McGroarty,Wright,Felvus,
Harty(Gemmell(Jarvie))

Camelon Game Goes Ahead

After a pitch inspection, the game against Camelon goes ahead this afternoon 2:30 pm ko.

Camelon Preview

Forth welcome Camelon Juniors to Kingshill tomorrow afternoon for a Emirates Junior Cup 2nd round tie.

The Mariners, who hail, unsurprisingly, from Camelon near Falkirk, are past winners of the trophy, having won it in 1994/95 and losing in the final the following season.

Currently in the East Region Super League, Camelon have played seven league matches this season, winning two, drawing two and losing three. They currently sit fifth in the division having scored ten and conceded fourteen.

Forth manager Jamie McKenzie has a full squad to choose from for what will undoubtedly be a stern test for the Wanderers.

Kick-off is at 2:30 pm and at the moment everyone is hopeful the match will go ahead, depending of course on the weather between now and kick off. Should things change, details will be blogged/tweeted as soon as I get them.

Odds :

William Hill :  Forth 7/1 Camelon 1/5 Draw 5/1
McBookie   :  Forth 5/1 Camelon 1/4 Draw 11/2

'Mon the Forth.

Further Fixtures Announced

Saturday 5th November 2pm Lesmahagow v Forth Wanderers
Saturday 12th November 2pm Carluke Rovers v Forth Wanderers

Royal Albert Game Called Off Again

It looked like it was going to be 50/50 whether this game was played but early rain this morning put paid to that. Had we been given an away game as requested, bearing in mind this game was bookended by two home cup matches, things may have been different.

Forth Wanderers 2 Lesmahagow 1

Goals from Bryan Felvus and Chris McGroarty gave Forth a somewhat fortuitous victory at Kingshill Park today. However, the 'Gow spurned numerous chances, especially in the first half, and must be wondering how they contrived to lose the game.

Chris McGroarty Goes Close
 
The Wanderers were without three regulars today with David Grant, Alan Stevenson and Kenny Wright all missing but began the game brightly and opened the scoring in 6 minutes when a 20 yard shot from Bryan Felvus was badly misjudged by the 'Gow keeper and ended up in the onion bag. Chris McGroarty then flashed a header narrowly over on 11 minutes before Lesmahagow broke up the park and the striker found himself one on one with the Forth keeper but shot meekly past. Ten minutes later the 'Gow number 10 found himself through on the keeper but once again the ball was fired wide and on 28 minutes the 'Gow number 8 burst through, rounded Forth keeper Chic Clark but shot wide. Clark then tipped over a netbound header as Lesmahagow began to dominate proceedings and the number 10 again shot past when it seemed easier to score, much to the consternation of the 'Gow faithful.

Chris McGroarty then just failed to cleanly connect with an excellent Felvus cross on 35, but undettered he doubled the Forth advantage a minute later after the ball was well won in midfield by Kris Jarvie who laid it off to McGroarty allowing him to smash the ball past the helpless keeper. Lesmahagow had an opportunity on 41 to pull one back after Gordon Murphy committed a foul on the edge of his own box but the resultant free kick sailed high over the bar and then Chic Clark made another good save just on half time.

Bryan Felvus prepares to get a shot away

With manager Jamie McKenzie's half time words ringing in their ears, Forth began the second half purposefully and appeared to have stemmed the Lesmahagow tide although as the half wore on the 'Gow once again began to dominate. Chic Clark had another important save in the 56th minute before Bryan Felvus could have settled the tie when he broke through and rounded the keeper but the angle was against him and he couldn't get his shot away. Barry Canning then appeared to be pushed in the box but the referee waved away the Forth penalty appeals. Lesmahagow then got the goal their play deserved when their number 10 smashed the ball past Clark on 67 minutes, setting up a nervous finale for all in the Forth camp. The same 'Gow player had a chance a minute later but shot over. As the game reached it's conclusion Forth were defending deeper and deeper as Lesmahagow pushed for an equaliser but despite several close calls some resolute defending saw the Wanderers hold out and progress to the second round.

Overall, Lesmahagow will probably feel they should have won the match due to the number of chances they created but Forth can be proud of a great team effort with everyone digging in as Lesmahagow pushed for an equaliser. We've played far better and lost this season that's for sure, but in Cup matches all that matters is that your name is in the hat come the next round draw.  Objective attained !

'Mon The Forth

Forth team : Clark,Gemmell,Murphy,McKinlay,Napier,Harty,Traynor(Newall),McGroarty,Felvus,Jarvie,
Crawford (Canning)

Lesmahagow Preview

Forth take on Lesmahagow at Kingshill Park tomorrow in the New Coin Automatics West of Scotland Cup.

Last season, honours were shared in the league, with the 'Gow winning 2-0 at Craighead Park and the Wanderers triumphing 2-1 in the return fixture.

The teams have already met in the Clydesdale Cup Final this season with the Forth coming out on top by three goals to one, and if that game is anything to go by it should be another close, entertaining match. Lesmahagow won their first five league matches on the bounce before losing to leaders Carluke last week, although a missed penalty and a sending off possibly contributed to their downfall.

Forth have a full squad to choose from, other than David Grant who is on best man duties, and the pitch is currently wet but playable. However, bearing in mind last week, it's the referee who will make the ultimate decision.

'Mon The Forth.

Royal Albert Game Re-scheduled for October 22nd

The Forth v Royal Albert match, postponed last Saturday, has been re-scheduled for Saturday October 22nd at Kingshill Park kick-off 2pm.

Forth draw Camelon in the Scottish

Forth have drawn Camelon in the Scottish Junior Cup, to be played at Kingshill Park on October 29th.

Royal Albert Game Called Off

Today's match between Forth and Royal Albert was called off at 1:30 by the referee who deemed one area of the pitch unplayable. So, despite both teams being ready and willing to play the Wanderers have their first postponement of the season.

Personally, I've seen games take place at Kingshill in worse conditions, but there we have it.  

Royal Albert Preview

The Wanderers will hope to continue their free-scoring form tomorrow when they host Royal Albert at Kingshill Park with Kenny Wright aiming to add to his 16 goals so far.

Last season, there wasn't much to separate the teams, a 1-1 draw at Kingshill being followed with a 1-0 victory at Gasworks Park courtesy of a Gordon Murphy strike in one of Wanderers better performances last season.

The Albert haven't started the season as they would have hoped, registering a single victory away to Stonehouse amongst six defeats although they also recorded a great away victory at Lesmahagow in the sectional league cup.

Forth manager Jamie McKenzie welcomes back David Grant, and other than Marc Napier, who is unavailable, has a full squad at his disposal.

The pitch is currently very wet although secretary Jim Kelly believes he will have it  playable for 2pm tomorrow. Obviously, this is dependent on the weather today and on Saturday morning but it's to be hoped the game will go ahead, giving Forth the opportunity to continue their winning run.

Newmains United 1 Forth Wanderers 7

Forth won comfortably this afternoon at a wet Wishaw Sports Centre, with Kenny Wright helping himself to the first 5 goals and Craig Crawford and Tony Traynor completing the scoring.

Kenny Wright tucks away a Tony Traynor cut-back for the fourth

The Wanderers started the game brightly and Kenny Wright forced the Newmains keeper into a smart save within 5 minutes at the expense of a corner. The same player couldn't quite connect properly with a Gordon Murphy cross two minutes later. Chris McGroarty was next to have a pop, shooting wide on 13 minutes. It was no surprise when Forth took the lead a minute later when Kenny Wright latched on to a great through ball from Chris McGroarty and smartly despatched a shot past the keeper. A minute or so later that man Wright made it 2-0 with another clinical finish and at this stage the Newmains defence had no answer to his pace and movement.

On 20 minutes Kenny Wright was almost through for his hat-trick but the ball just evaded him. Newmains hadn't shown a great deal up to this point, with the odd sporadic counter but pulled a goal back when Michael Duddy took advantage of a rare defensive lapse to score. Undettered by this setback Forth continued to press and Kenny Wright notched his hat-trick on 25 with another trademark clinical finish. Bryan Felvus set this one up, winning the ball tenaciously in midfield and setting up Wright with a perfect through ball. Felvus then narrowly failed to connect with a McGroarty cross as Forth threatened to run riot.

Kenny Wright bags his hat-trick


Newmains weren't completely out of the game though and only a tremendous block from Gemmell and a superb save from Clark kept them at bay on 35. From the resulting corner Clark was forced into another fine save. At the other end the Newmains keeper, who played well despite losing seven, made two excellent blocks from Bryan Felvus. On 39 minutes the Newmains number 4 was shown a second yellow for scything down Wright on the edge of the box. Forth made it 4-1 five minutes from the interval when Tony Traynor hit the bye-line and delivered  a perfect cut-back for Wright who lost his marker and slotted home.

HT 1-4


Fantastic save from the impressive Newmains keeper from Martin Harty
The second half began as the first finished with Forth on the offensive and it was no surprise when that man Wright popped in his fifth on 49 minutes. Craig Crawford replaced Chris McGroarty and soon after the Newmains defence breathed an audible sigh of relief when their tormentor-in-chief Kenny Wright was replaced by Kris Jarvie who soon forced the keeper into another fine save from a header. On 62, Martin Harty hit the post and the keeper again saved from the rebound. The Newmains number 2 was sent off at this juncture presumably for something he said to the referee.


Tony Traynor prepares to head the seventh
Tony Traynor then had a great individual run on goal at the end of which he seemed to be impeded but the refreee was having none of it. Crawford then had a shot saved and Traynor flashed a header narrowly past as Forth made their numerical superiority count. Glenn Weir then replaced Chic Clark in the Wanderers goal. The sixth goal finally arrived on 77 when Craig Crawford rifled a shot into the net and then the Newmains keeper saved well from a Martin Harty shot. A rare Newmains attack resulted in a fine save from Glenn Weir before Tony Traynor completed the scoring with a fine header from a pinpoint Gordon Murphy cross.

FT 1-7

Overall, another professional performance from the Wanderers and the goals keep coming although, perhaps understandably, it became rather flat for a time in the second half with the game already won. Still, it's a pleasure to watch the Forth these days and long may that continue.

Finally, a special request for a Mrs Smith of Forth, your very own pin-up !

You're meant to be watching the game Stuart ...

Mon the Forth.

Forth team : Clark (Weir), Gemmell, Murphy, Napier, L.McKinlay, Stevenson, Traynor, McGroarty(Crawford), Wright(Jarvie), Felvus, Harty