Greenock Telegraph | Sport | From bad to worse for Wandies at Falkirk

Friday, 21st November, 2008

Published: Monday, 8th October, 2007 12:30

From bad to worse for Wandies at Falkirk

By Chris Fitzgerald

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CAPTAIN COURAGEOUS: Dave Craven came close for Wanderers but couldn’t break a tough Falkirk side.

Falkirk 59, Wanderers 0

WANDERERS’ miserable season reached a new low when National One table-topers Falkirk rammed seven first half tries past their rearguard at Sunnyside on Saturday.

This display showed the difference in class between teams at opposing ends of the table and only a gutsy second half performance from the visitors prevented a defeat of more humiliating proportions.

For Wanderers the forwards competed throughout, but it was out wide where Falkirk showed their ability, with strong running and consistent support play, which the locals simply couldn’t match.

There was effort and commitment from the Wanderers ranks, particularly in the second half, but it was not enough to upset a Falkirk side that had the game won in the first quarter.

The first half was a gut wrenching experience for coaches Dave McVey and Iain Forster, as Falkirk cut through the Wanderers defence at will.

The procession started in three minutes with secure lineout ball finding its way to winger Chris Harris to squeeze in at the corner. In eight minutes man-of-the-match, and Falkirk skipper, Bob Wyllie entered the line to create the spare man and he went in under the posts. He converted his own try and a few moments later stand-off Stuart McAllister made a fine break before feeding winger Matt Morrell to score under the posts. Wyllie converted again and after less than quarter of an hour Wanderers were 19 points adrift.

Further scores were added in 24 and 26 minutes, both converted by Wyllie, and in 32 minutes former Scotland hooker Kevin McKenzie burrowed over for a try.

The half time whistle couldn’t come quickly enough for the visitors, but centre Roddy Denham decided to get in on the act before it sounded and waltzed untouched through a weak Wanderers defence to touch down under the posts. Wyllie converted to complete the first half scoring at 45-0 for the hosts.

Coaches McVey and Forster read the riot act at half-time and it appeared to galvanise a disconsolate Greenock side.

The second half, unbelievably, was played almost entirely in the Falkirk half, with Wanderers having the lion’s share of possession and territorial advantage.

Several opportunities fell to Wanderers to get on the scoreboard and Jason Smith and skipper Dave Craven came close on a couple of occasions. Several penalty opportunities were spurned as Wanderers kicked for position rather than points, which was an understandable tactic in the circumstances.

With five minutes remaining though, Falkirk had the last say with two fine solo tries scored by Denham and Morrell. Wyllie chipped over from the tee on both occasions to bring the curtain down on a thoroughly depressing day for Wanderers.

The Fort Matilda side now sit at the foot of the First Division, five points adrift of the field, and a revival must start soon if relegation is to be avoided.

President Donnie Cunningham said: “It was a difficult afternoon for the club and we were soundly beaten by a very good Falkirk side.

“The boys showed some character in the second half and I was thankful for that. We clearly have an uphill battle ahead of us and we will be targeting key, must-win games in an effort to get out of the bottom two positions.

“We have played the top teams and, if we focus on beating teams in the bottom four or five places, we have every chance of climbing the league. There are still 16 games left and we have 10 of them at Fort Matilda.”

Wanderers’ next outing is a rare home league match on Saturday against old rivals Langholm.

Wanderers: K Murray, J Smith, C Clark, D Murray, K Smith, A Devlin, A McDougall, D Craven ©, M Younger, M Rodger, S Bleasdale, J Mooney, D Clayton, A Abernethy, C Robb. Replacements R Lavelle, J Stewart (both used).

l Wanderers are sponsored by National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd.

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