St. Roch's Match Off

Today's game against St. Roch's has fallen victim to the weather.

Shotts at home in the Central League Cup

The Wanderers have been drawn at home against Shotts Bon Accord in the second round of the Central League Cup, after receiving a bye in the first round. Date to be announced.

A difficult draw against our near neighbours but one which will hopefully attract a healthy crowd to Kingshill.

Newmains Game Off

The weather wins again.

Newmains at home on Saturday 21st

The Wanderers next match is against Newmains United at Kingshill Park on Saturday 21st January 13:45 kick-off.

Wishaw Juniors 0 Forth Wanderers 4

A Kenny Wright double and goals from Gordon Murphy and Kenny Govan gave the Wanderers a deserved victory at the Beltane this afternoon, although the scoreline was perhaps a little harsh on Wishaw.

Tony Traynor chases the ball
Wishaw started the stronger and it took a couple of great blocks from Lewis McKinlay to stop them from opening the scoring, once when the Wishaw forward had rounded keeper Chic Clark. Forth gradually came into the game and a Kris Jarvie cross cum shot hit the top of the bar with the keeper beaten. Kenny Wright was next to rattle the woodwork with Kris Jarvie unable to get enough purchase on the rebound to beat the keeper.

Kris Jarvie causing problems in the Wishaw box
Kenny Wright then fired a shot past the post as the Wanderers began to dominate and it was no surprise when Forth took the lead with a superbly executed goal courtesy of Gordon Murphy. A Chris Newall cross fell to Murphy in the box and his perfectly flighted chip shot with the outside of his boot gave the keeper no chance. Tony Traynor then broke through and was felled, not for the last time in the game, around 25 yards out. The Wishaw keeper could only parry Chris McGroarty's free kick and Kenny Wright was there to snap up the rebound and put the Wanderers two up. Gordon Murphy then had a good run but his final shot missed the target. Then, on the stroke of half-time, Kenny Wright picked up the ball on the right,moved inside, and curled a superb shot past the helpless keeper.

Chris McGroarty on the ball
Wishaw came out fighting in the second half and created several chances, including a header from a free kick which was glanced wide and their best chance saw a forward through on the keeper but although he slid the ball past keeper Clark it also slid past the post. Forth threatened sporadically, Craig Crawford hitting a shot straight at the keeper and Gordon Murphy going close with a delightful chip. However, it was the Forth who completed the scoring through Kenny Govan. Tony Traynor won a debatable free kick, Gordon Murphy put it on target and once again the keeper couldn't hold it and Kenny Govan opened his Forth account by slotting home the rebound. Wishaw kept plugging away but were unable to get  the goal their play probably merited.

Kenny Wright pounces for the second
Overall, a great result for the Wanderers, if not a sparkling performance. Still, 4 goals and a clean sheet are not to be sniffed at, especially in light of some other results in the division.

Craig Crawford tussles in midfield
'Mon the Forth

Forth team : Clark,Newall(Mathers),Murphy,Grant,McKinlay,Stevenson(Govan),Traynor,McGroarty,Wright
,Jarvie(Felvus),Crawford

Wishaw Game On

After a 10am inspection the Wishaw v Forth game goes ahead at the Beltane. Kick off 13:45.

Wishaw Juniors v Forth Wanderers Preview

Forth are scheduled to face Wishaw at the Beltane tomorrow afternoon, although apparently there is talk of the match being moved to Kingshill. Forth officials are waiting to hear back from Wishaw regarding this and I'll post and tweet once the venue has been confirmed.

The teams met in the Sectional League Cup way back in July and played out an uninspiring goalless draw although this will have little relevance as both teams will undoubtedly be much changed.

Wishaw currently lie seventh in the division having played 8 games, won 3 and lost 5. They've scored 16 goals and lost 26. Their latest result was a good 3-1 victory away to Blantyre Vics last Saturday, which should serve notice that the Wanderers will have a tough game on their hands.

Forth, who can take heart from a good friendly performance against Rob Roy last Saturday, have Barry Canning suspended and Marc Napier doubtful, but otherwise manager Jamie McKenzie  has a full squad to choose from.

McBookie Odds :

Wishaw : 9/2
Draw : 5/1
Forth : 2/7

'Mon the Forth

Forth Wanderers 2 Kirkintilloch Roy Roy 3

Forth lost 3-2 to Rob Roy this afternoon in an entertaining friendly played at Bathgate Sports Centre.

The Wanderers took the lead through Kris Jarvie but were quickly pegged back by the Rabs who then scored again to take the lead. The impressive Tony Traynor then fired an equaliser for Forth prior to the break.

Tony Traynor fires home.
A second half goal for Rob Roy completed the scoring although both teams had further chances to score and both rattled the woodwork. For Forth, Bryan Felvus, back from injury, screwed a shot wide and Martin Harty rattled the inside of the post after timing his run perfectly to meet an excellent through ball.

Chic Clark comfortably holds. 
Overall a decent run out for the Wanderers who at no point were outclassed by their Super League opponents.

Maybole Cup Match on Saturday

The Wanderers are scheduled to take on Maybole in the West of Scotland Cup 2nd round at Kingshill Park on Saturday kick off 13:45. Although the pitch currently still has some surface water, if the weather continues to stay dry there is a chance the game will go ahead.

Maybole are currently top of the Ayrshire District League having won 9 of their 11 games to date and play Bonnyrigg Rose in the 4th round of the Scottish Junior Cup after a resounding 4-1 victory over Fauldhouse in the 3rd round. They will present a severe challenge but one which I'm sure everyone at the Forth is looking forward to.

Should the game fall victim to the weather, the Wanderers have provisionally arranged a friendly against Kirkintilloch Rob Roy presuming the Rabs match with Largs is also postponed. This will take place at Bathgate Sports Centre all-weather with a midday kick off.

Hopefully, one or other will go ahead and we can get 2012 up and running. I'll tweet confirmation once I have it.

McBookie Odds :

Forth : 6/5
Draw : 7/2
Maybole : 5/4

'Mon the Forth