Lanark Away in 2nd round of the Junior Cup

Forth have been drawn away to near neighbours Lanark in the 2nd round of the Scottish Junior Cup. The tie will be played on Saturday 20th October, weather permitting.

Rossvale Juniors 1 Forth Wanderers 0

Forth slumped to their first league defeat of the season at Petershill Park yesterday, Rossvale emerging victorious by one goal to nil. Although the Wanderers enjoyed the majority of the possession, Rossvale had the better chances, striking the woodwork on two separate occasions.

After an uneventful opening 10 minutes, Forth created the first opening when a Marc Howson throw found Martin Harty inside the box and his cross was met by the head of Gordon Murphy but his header flew over. Rossvale then went close when their number 9 cleverly made space for himself before unleashing a tremendous shot which rattled the Forth post with keeper Glenn Weir beaten. Tony Traynor then burst through the home defence but his shot was inches too high. Chances were at a premium in what was becoming a tight game and although the Wanderers had plenty of possession, they weren't troubling the home keeper. It was no surprise that the game remained scoreless at the interval.


Rossvale began the second half brightly and hit the crossbar soon after the restart before Forth keeper Weir spread himself well to block a shot from the 'Vale number 11 who found himself with a clear run on goal. Similar to the first half, Forth had the majority of the possession but Rossvale always looked dangerous on the break. And it was the home side who took the lead in bizarre circumstances. Forth were playing the ball out from the back when a misplaced pass allowed a Rossvale forward the opportunity to strike for goal and although the initial shot seemed to be going well wide, David Grant's attempted block deflected the ball wickedly and it found it's way into the Forth net. The Wanderers used all three substitutes in an attempt to level things up, but a Craig Crawford free kick which skimmed the top of the bar was the closest they came to equalising.

Overall, a bad day at the office for the Wanderers, who despite dominating possession, rarely troubled the home keeper.

Further photos from the game can be found here.

Forth team : Weir,Howson,McQuade(Trialist),McKenzie(Hughes),Grant,Canning,Traynor,
McGroarty,Harty,Gordon,Murphy(Crawford)

Player Sponsorship

The Wanderers are offering individuals and businesses the opportunity to sponsor one of our players for the season. Details can be found here. A chance for supporters near or far to help the club , all monies received go directly into the running of Forth Wanderers. All support is much appreciated !

Rossvale Away on September 29th

The Wanderers next match is against Rossvale Juniors on Saturday 29th September, kick off 2pm. The game will be played at Petershill Park, Springburn, Glasgow.

Forth Wanderers 2 Blantyre Victoria 0

Forth won a hard fought match against Blantyre Vics by two goals to nil at Kingshill Park this afternoon. A third consecutive clean sheet for the Wanderers who have now gone 348 minutes without conceding a league goal.

Forth made two changes to the team which defeated Vale of Clyde a fortnight ago, Glenn Weir replacing the unavailable JC Hutchison in goal and Barry Canning coming in for Tony Traynor who dropped to the bench. Vics manager Davie Greig named no less than 6 players from his previous club St. Roch's in his starting eleven.  



The visitors began the game brightly and good play between Greg Harvey and Stephen Watson after 6 minutes forced home keeper Weir into a good save at full stretch from the latter's shot. Craig Fry was next to test Weir but again the big keeper got down well to block after 11 minutes. The Vics were certainly fired up for this game and Chris McGroarty was the recipient of a couple of hefty challenges during the opening exchanges. 

After 13 minutes visiting keeper Paul Burns was yellow carded for knocking the ball away with his hand outside the box as Forth threatened. The resulting free kick from Jamie McKenzie was certainly fizzing towards the target but the Vics wall stood firm and did it's job deflecting the shot away for a corner which keeper Burns dealt with comfortably.

There was a moment of controversy on 22 minutes when Vics stopper Alan Shields flattened Barry Canning with a shocking challenge, leaving the Forth player needing treatment and leading to his substitution minutes later, being replaced by Tony Traynor. Despite the majority of those present expecting a red card to be brandished, the referee decided a yellow would suffice deeming the challenge merely late. Not content with his good fortune, Shields then began remonstrating with the Forth bench but his colleagues were able to restrain him and the game continued.

An excellent three man move involving Canning,Murphy and Gordon ended with Chris Gordon having a clear sight of goal but visiting keeper Burns was equal to the shot from the Forth striker. Burns then held a McGroarty free kick before Gordon Murphy did well to win a header allowing Martin Harty to fire a first time shot narrowly over. Vics were causing problems on the break, with Greg Harvey prominent throughout the half, and only tremendous tackles from firstly Alan Stevenson and then Jamie McKenzie prevented them getting further shots away. The final chance of the half again fell to the visitors when a Craig Fry cross which seemed to be dipping in under the bar was touched over by Weir.


Presumably the Wanderers received a half-time tongue lashing from manager McKenzie for they began the second half in a determined manner. Martin Harty shot narrowly wide on 49 minutes as the home side enjoyed the lion's share of possession. The Vics were still dangerous on the break however and David Grant was on hand to clear when a Stephen McDonald cross took out keeper Weir.

Forth were beginning to find gaps in the Blantyre defence and Tony Traynor did well to create an opening for himself but keeper Burns blocked the initial shot and the rebound was cleared for a corner. Burns was again called into action minutes later when he showed excellent handling to hold a rasping McKenzie shot.

The Vics then had their best spell of the 2nd half, forcing a couple of corners and calling Weir into action to deal with a header. Then on 71 minutes, a neat one two between Gordon and McGroarty ended with Chris Gordon being tripped in the box and the referee awarded a penalty. Despite a delay while the Vics made a substitution and some verbals from Terry Hewitt, an unfazed Jamie McKenzie confidently stepped up and blasted the ball past the helpless Burns. Greg Hughes had an opportunity to level minutes later but he blasted wildly over from a good position inside the left of the box.

The Wanderers continued to push for second and Burns easily held a Murphy shot before Shields managed to deflect a Harty effort away for a corner with 10 minutes to go. Impressive Forth substitute James Hughes was tormenting the Vics defence with his pace and movement and good work between him and Chris Gordon set up a chance for Jamie McKenzie whose shot seemed to be heading into the top corner until the head of Mark Devaney diverted it for a corner. Chris McGroarty whipped in the corner and it was curling in at Burns' near post until the keeper managed to punch the ball clear but only to the unmarked Gordon Murphy who buried a header into the empty goal to seal the win.

An excellent three points for the Wanderers which the Vics certainly made them work for. On the evidence of this afternoon, Davie Greig will soon have the Vics climbing the table.

More photos from the game can be found here.

Forth team : Weir,Howson,McQuade,McKenzie,Grant,Canning(Traynor),Stevenson(Gibb),
McGroarty,Harty(Hughes),Gordon,Murphy

Vics team : Burns,Devaney,Gumley,McIntosh,Shields,Hewitt,Harvey,Green,McDonald,
Watson,Fry  Subs: Christie,Paterson,Mulholland,Cassidy,Gibson

Latest News

Barry Canning has extended his stay at the club by another year.

The Wanderers have signed midfielder James Hughes. Welcome to Kingshill James!

Striker Marc Storrie has joined Shettleston Juniors on a 4 week temporary transfer.

Bryan Felvus has completed his move to Kilsyth Rangers. We wish Bryan all the best at his new club.

Wishaw Game Called Off

This afternoon's match between Forth and Wishaw has been called off after an early morning pitch inspection.

Vale of Clyde 0 Forth Wanderers 2

Goals from Martin 'hitman' Harty and Chris McGroarty gave the Wanderers victory at a sunny Fullarton Park yesterday.


Forth began with new signing from Harmony Row, Chris Gordon, in the starting line up. Chris had played and scored as a trialist in a couple of earlier matches and looks to be another good addition to the new look Wanderers squad.

The home side started brightly and Forth keeper Hutchison had to look lively in the opening minutes to block at the feet of an advancing forward. Connelly was next to threaten for the Vale when a neat turn and shot skimmed the top of the Forth crossbar, although the referee, who had a decent match, pulled the play back and awarded the Vale a free kick for an earlier infringement. McMillan was next to try his luck for the home side but dragged his shot wide.

The Wanderers were seeing plenty of the ball at this stage without creating any clear cut chances although Martin Harty was leading the line well and causing problems for the home defence. Chris McGroarty almost broke the deadlock when his netbound shot was deflected narrowly over the bar by a defenders head but the opener was merely delayed and it arrived on 22 minutes. Martin Harty controlled the ball just inside the home box and seeing the keeper slightly off his line calmly lobbed his shot into the far corner of the net for a quality goal. Vale of Clyde pressed for an equaliser but Forth keeper Hutchison was equal to their efforts although John Connelly should probably have done better than heading over, when presented with a clear opportunity in the box. A fairly even first half then, with the home side perhaps having the better chances but the Wanderers with the only goal.


Forth began the second half purposefully and Chris Gordon flashed a header wide just after the restart. Martin Harty then found Tony Traynor in the box and the wingers header rebounded back off the post and appeared to strike a defenders arm but the Wanderers appeals for a penalty were waved away. Hepburn went close for the Vale as they attempted to get back into it but it was Forth who were looking the more likely at this stage.

A fine Jamie McKenzie ball then allowed Gordon Murphy to beat the offside trap but he screwed the ball wide with the goal at his mercy. The Wanderers finally doubled their advantage on 78 minutes when a cross come shot from Chris McGroarty took a deflection and evaded the despairing grasp of home keeper Gordon to nestle in the back of the onion bag. Forth comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to record a second consecutive clean sheet.

Overall, a close contest, with the Tin Pail having the better chances in the first half and the Wanderers controlling the second period for long spells.

Photos from the match can be found here.
 
Forth team : Hutchison,Howson,McQuade(Gibb),Grant,McKenzie,Stevenson(Storrie),Traynor(Canning), McGroarty,Harty,Gordon,Murphy