Greenock Telegraph | Sport | Wanderers are still looking for win number two

Saturday, 10th January, 2009

Published: Friday, 8th February, 2008 12:30

Wanderers are still looking for win number two

By Chris Fitzgerald

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Rich form: Wanderers’ Callum Robb, with the ball, has done particularly well in the face of adversity this season.

Pic by: Kris Cairns

FORTUNE favours the brave, and if that is indeed the case, Wanderers will need to be fearless tomorrow.

I am, of course, referring to the locals’ hosting of old rivals Dalziel High School FP at Fort Matilda, where they will look to secure only their second win of the season.

The locals were due to face Royal High/Corstophine, but the SRU rejigged the fixture card and now it will be Lanarkshire opposition at the Fort tomorrow.

The task will be a difficult one, as Dalziel have consolidated this season and also won the reverse match between the sides in Carfin by 13-7. It was a tight match and Wanderers should have done better. They might have too, but for the efforts of referee Iain Morrison, who appeared to have forgotten about the offside laws for the day.

Wanderers’ woes have been well documented in this column thus far, and only rarely have they shown what they are capable of.

The fact they have young, talented players at their disposal is not in doubt, but whether these players are capable of adhering to a structured game plan as outlined by coaches Dave McVey and Iain Forster remains to be seen.

Last weekend’s showing at Whitecraigs deserves to be confined to the history books. The locals exited the Scottish Cup to lower league opposition after a particularly poor performance. The tonic tomorrow will be a good old fashioned gritty home performance which will hopefully yield a second win of the season to boost confidence. McVey may introduce the odd wildcard in selection as he looks to freshen things up. Several U-18 players have impressed this season and it could be, that at some point before the end of the season, youngsters Andy Kirkland, Lee Tyley and Alan McMichael may get some 1st XV experience. Chairman of selectors, vice-president Dougie Sloan, will consider those options after consultation with age group and senior coaches.

President Donnie Cunningham said: “We take each game on its own merits and obviously we are looking for a win in front of a home support. The boys have got to back themselves in every game and stand their ground when the pressure comes. We are looking forward to the match and testing ourselves against Dalziel.”

Captain Chris Clark is a player who has stood his ground this season and the skipper will be looking forward to having a go at the opposition tomorrow. He, along with the likes of Callum Robb, have been in a rich vein of form recently and will be keen to lead his men to victory.

Greenock Wanderers v Dalziel at Fort Matilda, kick-off 3pm: S McTavish, D Watson, A Knox, C Clark (C), J Adcock, N Wright, A Devlin, K Murray, A McDougall, M Rodgers, A Hunter, R Lavelle, M Coyle, G Patterson, L Scully, J Mooney, M McDonald, C Robb, J McKenna, A Abernethy, N Patterson, G Finnie, D Murray.

l Match sponsor — Paterson Arran Ltd. Club sponsor — National Semiconductor (UK) Limited.

l Wanderers will be away at Lenzie in the Scottish Hydro Bowl West, to be played 16 February.

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