Greenock Telegraph | Sport | Wanderers massive task against league leaders

Saturday, 10th January, 2009

Published: Friday, 5th October, 2007 12:30

Wanderers massive task against league leaders

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Defensive solidity: Former skipper David Murray will add steel to the defence.

FOR the second successive week Greenock Wanderers make a difficult away journey to opposition who sit top of the First Division of the National League.

Tomorrow’s hosts are Falkirk, who share top spot with Garnock and are riding high just now with a one hundred per cent record of five wins.

Wanderers, unfortunately, are also the owners of a one hundred per cent record, but it is five defeats. The warning signals are clearly evident that a turnaround in fortune is required in order to save their First Division status this season.

The Camelon based club have recruited heavily over the last few years and boast former Scottish International hooker Kevin McKenzie, along with his brother, Mark McKenzie, who plies his trade at stand-off.

Numerous other imported players and former Stirling County men have joined the ranks and managed to mould Falkirk into a very formidable side.

For Wanderers it is yet another away match and the challenges don’t come any harder than this. President Donnie Cunningham said: “Falkirk are a rejuvenated club and are enjoying the successes that sensible development and financial backing brings.

“My concerns are purely with us and I think the guys can build on what they produced last week and front up once more against one of the top teams in the league.

“It’s another hard game but we can do well if the attitude is right. I thought the first half of last week’s match at Garnock was the best we’ve played all season.”

The task ahead is enormous. Top club versus bottom; winning streak against losing. Once more Wanderers are confirmed underdogs and will need to show the courage and commitment that was on display for part of last week’s match to compete with the hosts tomorrow.

Head coach Dave McVey is eager that his players rise to the challenge and learn from their experiences to date. He said: ”If you are involved in rugby for any length of time, there are always periods in every career of great successes and disappointing losses.

“This is the rough with the smooth, but the positive aspect for me is that we are a young, developing side. There is light at the end of the tunnel and experiences gained during tough times will stand the players in good stead.”

As McVey identified, there is evidence of improvement throughout the team. Sstrong rucking and intrusive running certainly worried joint leaders Garnock last Saturday. Skipper Dave Craven just has to find the formula that can sustain that level of performance for 80 minutes rather than for short bursts throughout a match.

In the backs Andy McDougall and Ant Devlin have linked well, and returning past captain David Murray has also added some experience to the threequarter line. His solid defensive qualities will be tested to the full tomorrow.

Youngsters Jason and Kieren Smith will also be keen to continue their recent run of form and will look to get plenty of possession so that they can stretch the Falkirk defence.

Irrespective of the result, Wanderers players need to show coaches McVey and Iain Forster that they have what it takes to hold their own in the First Division.

Wanderers squad v Falkirk at Camelon, kick-off 3 pm: K Murray, D Murray, J Smith, K Smith, C Clark, N Wright, A Devlin, A McDougall, J Stewart, D Craven (capt), R Lavelle, M Rodger, S Bleasdale, G Mooney, J Mooney, G Finnie, C Robb, A Abernethy, M Coyle, L Scully, D Paton.

Wanderers are sponsored by National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd.

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