Wanderers one game from glory

Published 2 Apr 2010 14:00 0 Comments

Share this

CHASING PACK: The Wanderers forward line were key in last week's victory over Annan and will be tested again.

THE largest crowd of the season will line the touchline at Fort Matilda tomorrow as Greenock Wanderers attempt to make it to Finals Day at Murrayfield on Saturday 24 April.

It is a tall order for the locals as they are pitted against old adversaries Dalziel in the semi final of the Scottish Hydro-Electric Shield in a winner-takes-all cup tie.

Dalziel have already secured promotion from National 1 into the Premiership for next season, are currently unbeaten and look likely to secure the First Division title over the next few weeks.

They are also top seeds and favourites to land the Shield Trophy on Finals Day but to do so they will have to dispatch Wanderers tomorrow.

The Greenock side have similarly secured promotion this season and have beaten two First Division sides on their way to the semi-final stage.

Confidence, determination and fighting spirit are qualities that are in abundance in the Wanderers camp and with home advantage and a fully fit squad of totally committed players to choose from, there is every chance the locals can upset the applecart and snatch victory.

President Dougie Sloan said: "It's a great tie for us and I know Dalziel will bring through a large travelling support, but I am sure the Wanderers spectators can outnumber them on the day and give our lads the real benefit of home advantage.

"We are one step away from the final against arguably the best team in the competition, so we really have a big challenge ahead of us but one the players are capable of overcoming."

By way of comparison, Wanderers and Dalziel have played and beaten Annan, Livingston and Glasgow Academicals in competitive matches this season by fairly similar scorelines, which indicates that the gulf in quality between the first and second division of the National league is marginal.

Coaches Dave McVey and Bob Adams have structured two good squad sessions this week, focusing on the gameplan ahead of the big match, and believe the locals have the defensive discipline and firepower to get the better of their senior opponents tomorrow.

Dalziel are a strong running side and much of their play goes through Scottish age-group international Craig Simmonds in the back row. The Wanderers tackling effort around the fringes must be rock solid.

Coach Bob Adams said: "It is winner-takes-all and we will be telling our players to leave any nerves or inhibitions they may have in the dressing room, get out there, enjoy the occasion and give it everything they've got for 80 minutes.

"We are confident in our own ability.We have excellent players at our disposal and we are unbeaten at home this season.

"We believe in ourselves and we have every chance of getting to the final."

As always, the battle starts up front and the Wanderers pack will look to continue their superb run of form over recent months.

The tight forward exchanges will be crucial, and if Wanderers can get an edge there, then quality possession will be available for half backs Andy McDougall and Ant Devlin to pick and choose the moment to release the exciting, hard running and elusive back line.

Pack leader Matt Gray, Matt Duncan, Dougie Smith and Jim McArthur will all play a lead role in this.

Star centres Brendan McGroarty and Kieren Smith will be tasked with securing the midfield channels and will be a major aspect of the Wanderers attacking option.

The locals will look to get speedsters Leigh Tyley, Sean Connolly and skipper David Watson on the ball with space in front of them to test the visitors' defensive resolve.

Tomorrow's match will see two excellent sides battling it out in front of a large crowd with the prize being a place in Finals Day at Murrayfield.

The games don't come much bigger than this. The Wanderers camp knows it and they have the self-belief,

attitude and ability to make it happen.

With a large vocal Fort Matilda support ringing in their ears, the locals have a great opportunity to make it through to the final.

l Kick-off 3 pm. Squad: D Smith, A McMichael, J McArthur, M Lavelle, M Gray, M Duncan, G Mooney, C Clark, C Robb, A Abernethy, J Stewart, A McDougall, A Devlin, L Tyley, B McGroarty, K Smith, S Connolly, D Watson, G Fletcher.

Wanderers are sponsored by National Semiconductor (UK) Ltd.

This article appeared in Greenock Telegraph 02 Apr 10

Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our Sport archives.

Follow @greenocktele