POLLOK SHARPSHOOTER FORDE HAS HIT SIX GOALS IN LAST THREE MATCHES
There were several memorable striking performances from the Scottish Gas Cup games played last weekend but arguably the most inspirational was the one delivered by Adam Forde for Pollok in their Newlandsfield penalty kicks triumph over Premier Division rivals Benburb that followed on from a 2-2 regulation time stalemate.
One is patently aware Ciaran Diver’s brace for Beith against lower league Bonnyton Thistle chalked up his 11th and 12th scores of a remarkable season to date and neither are any reminders needed about Clydebank’s phenomenal marksman Nikky Little bagging a hat trick in a 10-1 demolition of Hieland minnows Fort William or for that matter Auchinleck Talbot pair Ross Smith and Connor Boyd both firing trebles of their own in a likewise one-sided 12-0 battering of the less than mighty Wigtown & Bladnoch?
But the seasoned Forde has surely to be credited for Pollok mounting a stirring comeback from 0-2 down against the Bens thanks to firstly halving their deficit with a wonderfully executed overhead kick before demonstrating opportunism at its best by lashing home a second goal that not only salvaged a draw but also took the potentially money-spinning Cup-tie to a shoot-out conclusion won 3-0 by Pollok … and he was of course adjudged to be Man of the Match.
An online search will reveal the hitman , a Tony McInally recruit when he held the Southside club’s reins ,also converted an overhead kick effort just the previous Saturday in a 4-2 defeat of Largs Thistle so a third audacious score in successive matches has to be highly unlikely at best however those odds haven’t stopped Lok supporters enthusing over the very prospect ahead of today’s crunch Blair Park encounter against Hurlford United.
And no doubt they’ll be further encouraged to hear , neither is their 27 year old forward ruling out the likelihood..
“It’s down to nothing more than sheer instinct on the day so if the opportunity comes up to have a go then I will but I’m not going to be consciously taking up positions for an overhead kick …if that’s even possible? .” revealed a humble Fordy.
“If truth be told ,my Largs overhead attempt only came about because the ball sat up invitingly when I took a poor first touch in trying to control a ball played into feet so you just cannot plan for these situations happening and neither is it the sort of thing you practice in training.”
Forde ,formerly on the books of Stranraer and Neilston (loan) is now in his sixth season at Pollok and puts his prolific form up to now (7 goals ) down to him embarking on a fitness regime during the summer months which has totally changed his body shape and he’s now along the more toned lines of former Lok scoring greats Brian Dingwall or Dougie Arnott whereas previously he was being likened to the chunkier and even more legendary Norrie Fulton.
He admitted, “ Injury kept me out for almost three months at the start of last season and I worked my way back for the Annan Athletic game only to get injured again and spend another 7/8 weeks on the sidelines so I never at any time felt I was at the top of my game.
“ I was determined to avoid a repeat this time around and thankfully Daz Christie ,a personal trainer in his day job , was able to help by writing up a 12 weeks programme specifically for me and tailored towards football.
“Gym sessions 3 times per week was really tough going at times but the weight loss and toning of my body that resulted has left me feeling leaner, fitter and sharper than any other time in my career.
Fordy added, “And I need to be as the competition for the striking jerseys here at Pollok is bordering on the intense and that’s before you take into account Stephen Docherty sitting out long term with an injury.
“I’ve played up front alongside Squib(Marc McKenzie) in our last couple of outings while Grant Anderson has also shown he knows where the goal is when given the nod and now the fight for the up-front places is about to get even hotter with Shuggy Kerr fit again and back in contention .“
Lok gaffer Stewart Maxwell has the onerous job of selecting the right permutations while keeping all his playing charges happy however it would be a major surprise Fordy’s scoring exploits last weekend don’t earn him a starting jersey at Blair Park where he netted in a 4-0 Pollok victory last time out that ended a dismal run of results against the Ayrshiremen.
Among other top flight contests whetting the appetite is table-topping Beith putting their 100% league record on the line with a visit to the revamped Cumnock whose great rivals Auchinleck Talbot with confidence understandably brimming over following their dozen of the best against Wigtown will be hoping to show more of the same rediscovered scoring touch when Arthurlie make the journey through to Beechwood Park.
Benburb will doubtless be out to bounce back from their Scottish defeat at home to Troon but hard not to think Rob Roy face a considerably stiffer test at Guys Meadow against a Clydebank side, seeking to extend their unbeaten league run to seven matches.
The well-drilled St Cadocs will fancy their chances of at least a share of the spoils in taking on Largs Thistle down at Barrfields while a buoyant Gartcairn will unashamedly look to follow up their first Premier Division victory of the season, Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat of Irvine Meadow , by coming away from Glenafton with another three points haul .
DEENEY OUT ATER ONLY SIX GAMES
Gartcairn’s midweek success also heralded the top flight’s first managerial casualty of the season ,after only six league games ,when it was announced on Wednesday that Medda team boss Kevin Deeney had tendered his “resignation” 24 hours on from the narrow defeat which had left the Ayrshire club propping up the table.
A statement from club officials read ,“It is with regret that the Irvine Meadow committee have accepted Kevin Deeney’s resignation as first team manager tonight.
“The club would like to thank Kevin for his efforts at Irvine Meadow and wish him well in future endeavours.”
Speculation was rife immediately with the name of former striker Gavin Friels ,currently managing Ardrossan Winton Rovers, getting a few airings as Feeney’s likely replacement even though Medda officials have installed yet another former player Ben Carson( currently coaching their Under 20’s) as the interim gaffer ahead of today’s meeting with Darvel.
Feeney himself seemed to hint the door was held open for him to make an exit when he spoke last night .
“First and foremost I will admit results have not been good enough however let’s not forget the season is only six games in so there’s plenty of time to turn things around.
“The Gartcairn game could easily have gone either way and would there have been any crisis talk if we’d won and moved up to joint tenth in the table ? I don’t think so either but it is what it is .
“ My work situation since the start of this season has necessitated me working Monday-Friday down in Coldstream and I only came up on Tuesday because we had a game as normally my assistant Gary Russell would oversee our training sessions.
“I got the strong vibes our Committee were unhappy and more so when I couldn’t come back up for a meeting with them on Wednesday so my taking it out of their hands and offering to walk away was exactly what they wanted to hear.”
PLAYING TODAY(Kick Offs 2 PM): P.D.M HUWS GRAY Premier Division. Largs Thistle v St Cadocs, Rob Roy v Clydebank, Benburb v Troon, Cumnock v Beith, Glenafton v Gartcairn, Auchinleck Talbot v Arthurlie, Irvine Meadow v Darvel, Hurlford Utd v Pollok P.D.M HUWS GRAYFirst Division. Johnstone Burgh v Maybole,St Rochs v Shotts Bon Accord, Ashfield v Drumchapel Utd , Kilwinning Rangers v Blantyre Vics, Kilbirnie Ladeside v Whitletts Vics, Thorniewood Utd v Petershill, Cambuslang Rangers v Rutherglen Glencairn, Neilston v Renfrew. PDM HUWS GRAY Second Division. Glasgow Perthshire v St Anthonys , Bonnyton Thistle v Maryhill, Forth Wanderers v Kilsyth Rangers, Muirkirk v Cumbernauld Utd, Yoker Athletic v Wishaw, Caledonian Locomotives v Ardrossan Winton Rovers .Larkhall Thistle v Vale of Clyde, Glasgow University v Craigmark.PDM HUWS GRAYThird Division. Vale of Leven v Greenock, Kello Rovers v Lanark Utd, Bellshill Athletic v West Park Utd, Irvine Vics, Ardeer Thistle v Irvine Vics, West Park Utd, Greenock, Port Glasgow v Kilsyth Athletic , Girvan v Lesmahagow, Dalry Thistle v Threave Rovers, Glasgow Utd v Finnart,. PDM HUWS GRAYFourth Division. St Peters v Royal Albert, Campbeltown Pupils v Eglinton, Lugar Boswell v Easterhouse, Glenvale v BSC Glasgow ,East Kilbride Thistle v Knightswood, Carluke Rovers v Thorn Athletic, Giffnock v Newmains Utd, Rossvale v Saltcoats Vics.
Regards
Jim O’Donnell
About Author
More Stories
ARTHURLIE LEFT IT OH SO LATE
ONLY PERFECTION WILL DO FOR PAUL
BILLY CAN TELL A TALL TALE