Forfar 6 - 1 Forres Mechanics: Six-shooters Forfar snatch lucrative tie

Published on Wednesday 14 January 2009 00:29

FORFAR booked themselves a money spinning fifth-round Homecoming Scottish Cup tie against Rangers as they comfortably defeated Forres Mechanics 6-1. The Loons thumped six past the Highland League side, five of them in the first half, to secure a bumper pay day against the Gers at Station Park.

Forres were simply outclassed by the Third Division side and their own hopes of hosting the Glasgow giants were dead and buried in the opening five minutes. Forfar started the game in whirlwind fashion and looked determined to wrap things up as soon as possible.

The first-half goal rout started after only two minutes when Graeme Gibson fired them ahead from 12 yards after Ross Campbell picked him out unmarked in the Forres box. Two minutes later the Loons doubled their lead when the unfortunate Bruce Milne bundled the ball into his own net. Terence Gordon's low cross was meant for Campbell but the Forres defender, rushing back towards goal, could only knock it past his helpless keeper, Stuart Knight.

Forres had their moment in the 23rd minute when Green clipped home a low centre from the left from Kevin Duguid.

Forfar had the perfect reply, however, as they went straight up the pitch and restored their two-goal advantage. A free-kick into the box from Craig Winter was met by Tulloch and his looping header beat Knight.

Forfar notched up their fourth just after the half-hour mark when Gibson hit the bye-line and drilled in a low centre for Ross Campbell, who did not have to break his stride to score.

Two minutes before the interval Forfar made it five when Winter played a lovely reverse pass to send Kevin Gordon clear through on goal and he clipped a neat shot over the keeper.

Forfar kept up the one-way traffic and in the 54th minute Gordon got his second and Forfar's sixth with a screaming volley from a Campbell pass. His shot from just outside the box beat Knight and crashed in off the post. Campbell was then denied his second by the post when he tried to steer the ball home from a tight angle.

There was more woe for the non-league side when goalkeeper Knight was stretchered off after a nasty fall in a challenge by Campbell.

Forres mounted a late surge and forced a series of four late corners but were denied even a crumb of comfort by Gibson's brilliant diving save to deny Kevin Duguid.

Forfar: J Gibson, Watson, McNally (Donachie 75), Winter (Kilgannon 66), Tod, Tulloch, Gordon, Brady, Lilley, Campbell, Graham Gibson (Simpson 66). Subs not used: Smith, Brown.

Forres Mechanics: Knight (Watt 79), Milne, Munro, Grant, Sharp, Fraser Bremner, Collins (Wardrop 61), David Calder, Green (Penwright 75), Dugiud, Moore. Subs not used: Hendry, Youngson.