The promotion game

Published 12 Feb 2010 14:00 0 Comments

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UNITED WE STAND: Wanderers skipper David Watson talks to his players at Lenzie last week.

The biggest game of the season takes place tomorrow at Fort Matilda when Greenock Wanderers face old foes Glasgow Academicals, knowing a win will clinch promotion to the Scottish Hydro Electric National League Second Division.

Victory will realistically kill off any hopes the second-placed visitors have of catching either the locals or fellow promotion hopefuls Lasswade.

At present Wanderers are top of the heap. A win would put them into an unassailable lead.

The match kicks-off at 11.30am to allow the players and spectators to see the action from Cardiff later in the afternoon when Wales and Scotland clash at the Millennium Stadium. But that will be at the back of everyone's mind when Wanderers and Accies take the field.

Glasgow Accies are a fine side and are in form just now, as their most recent result showed when they put Stewartry to the sword 48-0 at New Anniesland a fortnight ago.

They boast the biggest pack in the league and the Wanderers forwards will have to be on top form to secure their fair share of possession.

In the earlier fixture between the sides in September, Wanderers prevailed 48-33 but had to work hard for their victory.

President Dougie Sloan said: "It is a massive game for the club and there will be a large crowd to cheer the boys on. Accies will also bring a good travelling support and I'm sure it will be quite a spectacle.

"We have prepared well this week and the players will feel the pressure, but I want them to enjoy the occasion and go out and make the club proud."

Wanderers have had a lacklustre start to 2010 but have won all four games they have played with only the demolition of Newton Stewart really showing the form of which the side is capable.

The visitors know they have to win to keep their promotion hopes alive and they will throw everything they have in their armoury at the locals in an effort to upset the party.

"A big pack of forwards and some strong-running backs have put Accies into contention for promotion but, with Lasswade having a number of games in hand, it is the west Lothian men who look favourites to secure a promotion spot.

Coach Bob Adams said: "The earlier match between the clubs was a great advert for the National Leagues and was full of open, running rugby. Tomorrow's game will probably be tighter and we know that our forwards will have a real test and they are looking forward to it.

"We will treat the game as we have done all season and stick with a tried and tested formula that has got us this far."

Big games require the experienced players to take a lead and once more Matt Gray, Dougie Smith, Jim McArthur and Chris Clark will be tasked with battling for every ball and ensuring Wanderers do not take a backward step.

Half-backs Any McDougall and Ant Devlin have been the model of consistency and they will look to once more orchestrate events and release the fliers in the back line when the opportunities arise.

There is pace aplenty out wide and Devlin will look to get Leigh Tyley, Kieren Smith and Sean Connolly on the ball and in space.

Captain David Watson, who has led brilliantly this season both on and off the park, said: "It will be one of our toughest matches of the season and there is a big prize for us if we can get the win.

"We are going into the game with confidence and I believe we have the strength of character to do it.

"Our great supporters can also play a part by getting down pitch side and encouraging us every step of the way. I hope as many will turn out as possible to get right behind the boys."

Tomorrow's match is certainly one that the Fort Matilda faithful can play a part in.

They have not witnessed a promotion since 2002 and some success is long overdue.

This match seems almost too close to call, but if Wanderers hit top form there is every reason to expect that, come 2pm, they will be celebrating a return to the First Division.

Wanderers v Glasgow Academicals at Fort Matilda, kick-off 11.30am.

Squad: Tyley, S Connolly, K Smith, D Murray, D Watson (captain), A Devlin, A McDougall, D Smith, A McMichael, J McArthur, M Gray, M Duncan, C Clark, A Abernethy, C Robb, A Love, G Fletcher, M Lavelle, C Anderson.

● Wanderers are sponsored by National Semiconductor [UK] Ltd.

This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 12 Feb 10

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