Greenock Telegraph | Sport | Festivecheer is Wanderers' aim

Saturday, 10th January, 2009

Published: Friday, 14th December, 2007 12:30

Festivecheer is Wanderers' aim

By Chris Fitzgerald

WANDERERS will be hoping for a little festive cheer when they host table-toppers Falkirk at Fort Matilda tomorrow.

This will be the Greenock side’s final game before a mini Christmas break, and they don’t come much more difficult than against a team with a near hundred per cent National One record.

Having witnessed the reverse fixture at Sunnyside, it became apparent Falkirk are a side plying their trade in the wrong division. They absolutely demolished Wanderers that day, by a score of 59-0 if memory serves, and that was not an isolated result.

The league leaders have steamrollered their way through the fixture card this season and only Garnock, who are second, look capable of challenging them.

So, although Wanderers’ task looks daunting to say the least, theirs is now one of gleaning experience from such fixtures rather than points.

Drifting away at the bottom of National One, as the locals are, is demoralising, but this transitional period, in which this very young outfit are attempting to gel and learn their craft, will serve them well in future years.

It looks certain Wanderers will be relegated to National Two at the end of this campaign but, once there, they will be closer as a unit, better drilled, and will have acquired a fantastic new clubhouse facility as their base. This in itself could prove a lure to players who may not be getting a game at some of the bigger Glasgow clubs.

Due to the clubhouse development, the big pitch at Fort Matilda is currently without one set of posts. Therefore Wanderers are using the ‘wee pitch’ for their home clashes.

Sadly, last weekend’s weather left it resembling Murdieston Dam for the second successive week, and the match against Garnock had to be postponed.

It goes without saying then, Wanderers will be itching to get some competitive action under their belts.

President Donnie Cunningham said: “Our injury problems have been well documented this season and physios Jennifer and Lindsay have done a marvellous job in terms of treatment and rehabilitation for the injured players. Tomorrow is a big challenge and the guys will be up for it particularly playing against experienced players that have competed at the highest of levels. Inhibitions will be left in the dressing room and we will go out and have a go.”

Head coach Dave McVey said: “Falkirk are a good side with classy players, but they have shown they are beatable and East Kilbride, who we competed well against, actually beat them a couple of weeks ago. I want my players to enjoy these matches and get possession and take the game to the opposition. We are not there to make up the numbers and watch Falkirk go through a repertoire of moves. It’s our home match and I want to see my pack scrap for every ball and relish the contact.”

If Wanderers can pull a performance out of the bag then they certainly have a chance of upsetting the Falkirk applecart but, make no mistake, it will be a tall order.

Wanderers v Falkirk at Fort Matilda, kick-off: 2pm: K Murray, D Watson, S McTavish, J Smith, C Clark [C], D Murray, A Knox, A Devlin, A McDougall, M Coyle, R Lavelle, M Rodger, L Scully, N Patterson, M McDonald, G Finnie, J McKenna, C Robb, J Stewart, J Cunningham, J Campbell, S Bleasdale.

Wanderers are sponsored by National Semiconductor [UK] Ltd.

Spectators should check with the News Page on the club website for details of any postponement due to weather www.greenockwanderers.co.uk. In the event of inclement weather, pitch inspections will be arranged tomorrow morning.

l Match sponsor — W B Hall Sales and Service. Club sponsor — National Semiconductor (UK) Limited.

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