FORTHBANK SEEMED BUSIER THAN THIS!

Ray Stewart’s return to Forthbank was not a happy affair for the former Binos’ boss as Stirling Albion recorded a comfortable 3-1 victory to maintain their 3rd place position in the league. Looking at today’s match programme, it was interesting to note that Forfar have never won a league match at Forthbank and the last time they left Stirling with full points was in September 1991.

The only change from last week’s starting line up was the introduction of James Allan in place of David O’Brien who, according to today’s newspapers, has a grumbling appendix. Sounds like something some of the moaning minnies at Forthbank suffer from. This meant that new, on loan signing Andy Gibson, could only get a place on the bench. Although he may be looked upon as the prodigal son returning, it was too much to expect that he would walk straight into the team having only signed the day before.

Forfar, with ex Bino Hugh Davidson in their starting line up despite reports that he was injured, were the first to threaten when Rowe misjudged the bounce of the ball and the ball fell to Tosh. Forfar’s top scorer played the ball to Sellars but the winger’s cross found no Forfar player in the middle. After only 5 minutes, Tosh should have scored when a free kick from the right wasn’t cleared. The ball fell to Tosh on the 6 yard line but he only managed to shoot straight into the arms of Myles Hogarth.

The Binos responded and Allan’s direct run was broken up by the Forfar defence. A knock down by McLean finished with Glancy shooting about 2 yards wide. Hay and McLean then had an interchange which finished with Hay only having the keeper to beat. Unfortunately, Paul pulled his left foot shot wide. However, he managed to atone for this miss when the Binos took the lead after 19 minutes. A Devine cross from the left saw Hay moving in from the right and he sent a sweet right foot shot past Creer. 1-0 to the Binos.

A BLURRED PAUL HAY SHOOTS FROM THE EDGE OF THE BOX TO MAKE IT 1-0 TO THE BINOS.

Forfar attempted to fight back and a shot from Sellars zipped past Hogarth’s right hand post. Sellars then scorned an opportunity to equalise when he was left in the clear from a Tosh pass. Hogarth was quick to close down and block the shot.

The first change of the match came with Forfar’s McClune being replaced by Maher.
A corner to the Binos finished with a shot cum cross from Devine being punched clear by Creer. With both managers exhorting their teams half time came with no further scoring.

Forfar made a change at half time with Shields replacing Lowing.

However, it was the Binos who made an immediate impact when McLean doubled their lead. Firstly, his shot was blocked but the ball fell to Glancy. The ball was played to McLean who took q couple of steps to the right before sending a right foot shot past Creer. 2-0.

SCOTT MCLEAN HOLDS THE BALL UP.

A mistake by Rowe saw the ball fall to Shields. However, Hogarth managed to smother the shot. All this, and the second half barely 5 minutes old. The fans were certainly being served some entertaining football despite the miserable conditions which saw heavy rain falling for much of the second half.

Devine became the only booking of the match for a tackle from behind on Maher. The resultant free kick went all the way across the goalmouth but no Forfar player was on hand to take advantage. The Binos then delivered the killer blow when George Rowe rose majestically to bullet a header past Creer to make it 3-0.

Wilson then came on for Devine who had picked up an injury. It was a sensible precaution as Devine is too important a player to lose with injury when the club has no real cover at that defensive left back role. As the match seemed comfortably in the bag, McLean was then replaced by Gethins.

The substitute was soon in the thick of the action when he was part of a good build up involving several Albion players. The move finished with Gethins shooting just wide. Sellars almost scored an own goal when he headed a Wilson cross towards the foot of Creer’s left hand post. Fortunately, for Forfar, Creer managed to get his hand to prevent embarrassment for the Forfar midfielder.

Davidson was replaced while, at the same time, Gibson came on in place of Allan.

Glancy had a good opportunity to get on the score sheet but he tried to turn the Forfar defence once too often and the danger was over. Hogarth then brought off a good save to turn a Shields free kick onto the crossbar and over for a corner.

Forfar did manage a consolation goal with 2 minutes remaining when Tosh was left unmarked to head home a cross from the left to leave the match finishing at 3-1 to the Binos.

After failing to record a home win since the end of August, this was a pleasing performance for the home fans and, hopefully, we have seen the Binos turn the corner and they can get their promotion attempt back on course. With Stranraer losing, the gap is now down to 4 points with Brechin only 3 points ahead. The Binos face a tough match next week at Cappielow but, with Nugent and Rowe starting to form a good partnership in central defence, and McLean back on the goal charts, a victory shouldn’t be beyond them especially as Morton have already suffered 2 home defeats this season. I hope that a big support will make the trip to Greenock.

MANY THANKS TO GRAHAM HAMILTON FOR THE PHOTOS.