Forthill showdown is key

Published on Friday 7 August 2009 22:35

WITH less than one per cent between Dunfermline and Forfarshire at the top of the table, it’s little wonder Gordon Black sees today’s fixture at Forthill as being probably “the key game in our season”.

Black, Forfarshire’s secretary, whose son Graham plays in the first XI, admits he has been “very pleased with the way the team have recovered from a shaky start”. He added: “The boys have put in some excellent performances, especially over the past six weeks or so.”

Over this period opening batsman Graeme Garden has given a stirring lead from the front. There have also been fine efforts from the Philip brothers, Douglas and Henry, while Black reckons Australian pro Kelvy Pickering has done well with both bat and ball, as well as delivering on the coaching side.

The Fifers won the first game at McKane Park and no doubt Forfarshire will have revenge on their minds this afternoon.

Dunfermline are still in with a chance of a league and Scottish Cup double (they are at home to Greenock in the semi-final tomorrow) and with Alastair Gray knocking up another century last Sunday, they have high hopes of fending off their nearest challengers.

At the other end of the table, Penicuik have only four games to get out of jail and a home match against Stenhousemuir offers them an opportunity of only a third league win.

Arbroath await a visit from struggling Ferguslie, while Poloc head for Stirling County, and Stoneywood-Dyce host Drumpellier.