Published: Monday, 17th March, 2008 12:00
Wanderers taught a lesson by Accies in Fort friendly
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Wanderers 7 Glasgow Accies 14
Wanderers 7, Glasgow Accies 14
A LATE rally by Greenock Wanderers was not enough to save Saturday’s friendly against old rivals Glasgow Academicals.
And the city slickers secured a morale-boosting victory ahead of their league run-in as they look to secure their Second Division status for next season.
For Wanderers, it was another reverse in a season that has seen defeat after defeat — even at their home ground which used to be a fortress. Even in defeat, though, the locals had players that stood out and Calum Robb, Andy McDougall and skipper Chris Clark all toiled manfully.
Youngsters Dougie McIntyre and Alan McMichael also did enough to show they have real potential for the future and have given head coach Dave McVey food for thought as he ponders his selection for the forthcoming league matches.
Flying winger Seve Giovannaci also made a welcome return to first team duty after a lengthy lay-off with injury.
The game was played in good spirit throughout and it was Accies who got out the blocks quicker, recording an early score from a scrum just short of Wanderers’ line.
A pick-up and drive eventually fell short, but stand-off Alan Wilson picked a line through the locals’ cover defence and sauntered over for the first try of the afternoon. Gareth Williams converted and Accies had set out their stall with an early 7-0 lead.
The match thereafter developed into a war of attrition, with defences very much on top and little in the way of open rugby on show.
In 34 minutes, Accies secured a penalty inside Wanderers’ half and kicked for position down the touchline.
The lineout was won and a catch and drive took play close to Wanderers’ line. When the ball was spun wide, centre Jamie Doig blasted through the centre channel and scored under the posts. Williams again converted and as the interval approached the visitors had doubled their lead to 14-0.
The second half followed a similar pattern to the first, and decent ball won by both sides came to nothing, owing to unforced errors or solid midfield tackling from the opposition.
Wanderers’ one bright moment in the match came in 73 minutes, when Ant Devlin moved his line quickly from a tap penalty and crisp handling gave speedster David Watson the chance to outstrip his opposite man and fly in at the corner.
Kevin Murray slotted the conversion from a difficult angle and reduced the deficit to seven points as the game entered its final stages.
Wanderers rallied in the hope of at least securing the draw, but stout Accies defence proved too much for the locals and they ran out winners.
Wanderers have a home league match next Saturday against old rivals Cambuslang.
Wanderers: K Murray, S Giovannaci, C Clark [C], A Knox, D Watson, A Devlin, A McDougall, M Coyle, A McMichael, G Paterson, N Paterson, G Mooney, J McKenna, C Robb, L Scully. Replacements all used, D McIntyre, N Wright, M Rodger. Wanderers are sponsored by National Semiconductor [UK] Ltd.
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