Wanderers out to make amends
Published 2 Dec 2011 12:00
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Greenock Wanderers will have revenge very much on their mind when they entertain Morgan Academy FP in another vital Scottish Premier League Third Division match at Fort Matilda tomorrow.
The Dundee outfit defeated the locals in the earlier meeting this season at Allloway Place by 33-30 in what was Wanderers' worst performance of the season.
Since then, the fortunes of both sides have improved, with Morgan winning a further three matches and Wanderers hitting a rich vein of form recently with five wins in seven games.
The Dundee side posted their best result of the campaign last weekend when they beat Lasswade 23-10, and by all accounts were good value for the victory.
Wanderers also hit the heights last week with a superb performance against championship favourites Dumfries at Park Farm.
The Greenock men showed their mettle throughout an exhilarating 80 minutes and only a rather curious interpretation of the tackle laws by referee Tom McNicol prevented what the Wanderers support and indeed many neutrals believed would have been an away win.
The sizeable crowd watched on in amazement as Brendan McGroarty was red carded for what was probably the best-timed and strongest tackle of the match.
Referee McNicol followed up that blunder by penalising skipper Matt Gray in the final minute for a similar offence, resulting in Dumfries striking the winning penalty.
All that is behind Wanderers now, and the result is confined to the history books, but the performance was added proof - if any was needed - that the locals are a force to be reckoned with at Premiership level.
Vice-president John McDougall has been in contact with the SRU Disciplinary Committee this week with a view to clarifying McGroarty's position as to whether they consider the sending off to be sufficient sanction, or whether the Wanderers star will have to serve a period of suspension.
The hope is the youngster will be available, but if a suspension is imposed then that penalty would indeed be harsh in the extreme.
President Graeme Alexander said: "We raised the bar last week in terms of performance and the objective now is to maintain those standards on a weekly basis.
"The players that came into the side have staked a claim for a place and it was a very difficult selection meeting this week.
"We have the added incentive of gaining revenge on Morgan tomorrow because we didn't do ourselves justice through there, and we want to set that particular record straight."
With the going likely to be soft and muddy underfoot, the onus will once more be on captain Gray and his pack to dominate the forward exchanges, and as always, the set piece.
Lineout and scrummage possession must be assured if the locals wish to assert themselves on the match, and in this regard hooker Yan Young will look to build on a fine individual display last week in Dumfries.
The breakaway trio of John Stewart, Graham Mooney and Calum Robb will be busy at the breakdown, and if they can secure the majority share of turnover ball in the tight exchanges then the forward battle will be won.
Owing to McGroarty's uncertain availability, the selectors will determine the starting back line closer to kick-off time.
If exonerated, McGroarty will start in his usual centre berth, but if the decision goes against him, it is likely Leigh Tyley will move forward to centre, with David Watson slotting in at full back.
Definite starters are half-backs Andy McDougall and Kenny Diffenthal, and their consistent form has been significant in Wanderers' recent successes.
Both players know the Fort Matilda pitch like the back of their hand and they will utilise their knowledge to take the right options at the appropriate time.
If the expected winds blow, then rest assured Diffenthal will give the ball plenty air time as it is unceremoniously booted into enemy territory, from where attacks can be launched.
Morgan are an in-form side and will have their moments in the game, but with the confidence of the locals rising - and with Wanderers having a point to prove against a side that lowered their colours back in September - the clever money goes on the Greenock men avenging that defeat and continuing to enhance a reputation that is fast growing in the division.
The Fort Matilda factor will play a part, and as always the faithful support will line the Octavia Terrace touchline, now in expectation rather than hope.
Another home victory is the likely outcome but it will be hard-fought and hopefully well-deserved.
Wanderers v Morgan at Fort Matilda. Kick-off 2pm. Squad: D Watson, L Tyley,S Connolly, B McGroarty, K Smith, J Smith, A Knox, M Coyle, Y Young, M Lavelle, M Gray (c), M MacDonald, J Stewart, G Mooney, C Robb, D Paton, S Alexander, M Duncan, D Smith, J McArthur.
Wanderers are sponsored by National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd.
This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 02 Dec 11
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