Author: David Smith

Kirsty Fraser: No pressure for City game

Forfar Farmington centre back Kirsty Fraser is one of the new players at the club however has settled into the back-line very well putting in a solid performance a fortnight ago against Motherwell. 

A different assignment follows for Forfar Farmington tomorrow when they take the trip to Broadwood Stadium to face Glasgow City (3pm kick off) who have been a dominant force in Scottish Women’s Football for many years. 

Fraser admits that there is no pressure on Forfar Farmington for the upcoming task against City, “There is no pressure on us to get anything out of the game against Glasgow City, Glasgow City are a good side however we will be going out to perform, play well & give them a good game. 

“There is nothing to fear prior to this game, we had a good result against Motherwell a fortnight ago which will give us momentum heading into the game. 

“It will be a good challenge for us but we know that Glasgow City are talented all over the park, we are capable of doing well & everyone within the club is looking forward to the game.”

“Following the Motherwell win, it gives us that oomph, the game plan went well & the aim is to build around the positivity tomorrow.”

McConville: Glasgow City will be a big challenge

Forfar Farmington got off to the dream start just under a fortnight ago in the SWPL1 Premier League with a 4-2 win over Motherwell. A different assignment follows with a tricky encounter to face Premier League champions Glasgow City who have dominated Scottish Womens football for over a decade. 

Farmington Head Coach Ryan McConville is looking for his players to embrace the challenge against a side of Glasgow City’s calibre on Sunday which is filled with experience & quality all over the park despite upcoming & recent departures from the club. 

McConville said, “We’re playing against the champions from last year who have dominated womens football in this country for a very long time, we are playing against a lot of international players & players with a bit of pedigree. 

“Glasgow City have recruited well despite losing some players, Scott Booth has done a great job with the club who is one of the best managers in the league, it’s a big challenge for the coaches & players. 

“The pressure isn’t on us, it’s important that we perform & give a good account of ourselves but Glasgow City will be favourites to win the game, we’ll be trying to give them difficult hurdles & at the end of the day it’s a David v Goliath task. 

“Sunday will give us that indication of where we’re at, the outcome of the game won’t define the season however we need to try & give it our best shot & be positive.”

Pollard not putting any targets on her shoulders for season 2020/2021

Forfar Farmington have fielded a number of experienced players around the team with the likes of Alana Bruce & Fiona McNicoll been around the Farmington corridors for a long time now, there has also been some young blood coming into the team which has brought fresh enthusiasm & food for thought. 

Alongside Aimee Anderson & Erin who are recent additions from Celtic, London Pollard is also another regular under the age of 18 breaking into the Forfar Farmington 1st team & there’s not a better 16th birthday present than scoring a brace on the opening day of the season to gift Forfar Farmington 3 points. 

Pollard spoke about the game when she said, “We were really strong in the game & played very well with some good passing & we scored some good goals, the girls tried to get the ball into me as my speed helps the team & I am happy to score 2 goals. 

“I am looking at this to score more goals however I ain’t putting any pressure on myself, we are disappointed at conceding the 2 goals but we are happy with the win. 

“There is a lot of teenagers playing in the SWPL1 at the minute & I am hoping to add more goals to my game this season, hopefully I can help the team & get a high position in the league table. 

Cowper happy to be back in competitive action

Cassie Cowper was awarded the captains armband by Head Coach Ryan McConville & returned the favour by leading Forfar Farmington out to a 4-2 victory over Motherwell. 

Cowper showed her quality on & off the ball with excellent communication alongside the ability to defend and get an important 3 points in the opening weekend of the SWPL1 season. 

The former Aberdeen full back spoke after the match, “It’s good to be back in competitive action again after a long time out due to lockdown, friendlies are good but it doesn’t beat competitive games, we managed to get some good goals & a good win with the only disappointment being the goals conceded. 

“Donna Paterson has came back from lockdown really fit & that’s why she has been pushed into a midfield role, London Pollard is still young however you can see from the way she plays the game how good a player she is. 

“We won our battles, we were gutted to concede 2 goals, it was sloppy marking however it’s something for us to work on. 

“It’s good that Head Coach Ryan McConville has acknowledged that I have put in the hard work & the girls can listen to me, Ryan has recruited well during pre-season & it’s good to get some competition to the team & Kevin McGreskin has been a good addition to Forfar & hopefully they both stay for a long time.”

McConville: The perfect start

Forfar Farmington Head Coach Ryan McConville was pleased with his sides opening day performance however admits that improvements still need to be made as they beat Motherwell 4-2 in the opening game of the SWPL1 2020-2021 campaign.

McConville said after the match, “The 1st competitive games of the season are always edgy but we are all delighted with the victory, we’ve had a great pre-season & we kept that momentum going into the game today.

“We came into the game with a positive mindset & a confidence however knew it was going to be a difficult game & up against one of the most decorated managers in the Women’s game, it was the perfect start for us & credit goes to the players.

“It’s only the 1st game out of 21 so there is a long way to go, I am delighted for London to get 2 goals today & it’s a great 16th birthday present for her, London showed great strength & drive for a player so young, she is a joy to watch at times.

“For Donna Paterson, she performs on the pitch on a weekly basis, it was a resolute performance from 1-18. I am delighted for everyone involved with the club.

“It’s all positive moving forward, we will look at the 2 goals conceded however if I was asked at the start of the day for 3 points I would have took it. We will now focus on Glasgow City in a fortnights time.”

Pollard & Paterson at the double

Forfar Farmington got off to the best of starts with a 4-2 home win against Motherwell in the SWPL1. Braces from Donna Paterson & London Pollard were enough for Farmington to come out on top in this opening day fixture.

The hosts were on the ascendency straight away & took the lead with the game just under a minute old, Cassie Cowper got into a fantastic area on the left hand side before sending a lovely ball into the box which troubled the Motherwell defence & there was Donna Paterson to guide home a glancing header beyond Khym Ramsay in the Steelmen goal.

Motherwell got a few words of constructive criticism thrown at them & it returned a response with more of an urgency to get back into the game, they had a shout for a penalty turned down by the referee alongside a Chelsie Watson free kick forcing a good catch from Lauren Perry.

The midway point of the 1st half was a bit tepid however Forfar stepped it up a gear before half time adding a 2nd goal on 38 minutes, Charlotte Gammie got clear of her marker before playing a very good ball into London Pollard who beat Ramsay & Lauren Gallon before tapping the ball into an empty net. Happy 16th Birthday indeed!

Motherwell weren’t going to give up though & pulled a goal back before half time with a corner from the left not dealt with & there was Gallon who struck home into the top left corner despite the efforts of a packed Farmington defence.

Half Time – Forfar Farmington 2-1 Motherwell

2nd half

Those watching the live stream will no doubt be singing the praises of Pollard & Donna Paterson with the latter especially being a massive asset for Farmington, on 52 minutes a fantastic run into the area saw her get tumbled inside the area by Natasha Roberts with the referee pointing to the penalty spot, Paterson got herself up before calmly finding the bottom left hand corner from 12 yards to double Farmington’s advantage.

Cheryl Kilcoyne came on in the early exchanges of the 2nd half & was a positive in the Farmington performance giving Motherwell lots to think about, a good ball from the midfielder found Pollard who slotted home beyond Ramsay to make it a 2nd for the day alongside Paterson.

It was another set-piece which led to Motherwell adding a 2nd with another ball into the box not being dealt with & there was Gallon to scramble the ball home. Time was on the essence for the visitors though & a stabilised final 15 minutes was enough for Forfar to come out on top.

A fantastic team performance with London Pollard & Donna Paterson getting the plaudits for the goals however Cassie Cowper was solid & vocal in her role as captain and the defensive line dealt with any Motherwell attack the majority of the time.

Billie Simpson was consistent as always & Charlotte Gammie gave 100% as usual with the subs also making a difference and a competitive debut for Erin Rennie & Aimee Anderson who contributed to the team as well. A good day’s work however plenty for Ryan McConville & the coaching team to work on too. Jade Lindsay & Kirsty Fraser are forming an excellent partnership at the back which was evident in stages today.

Full Time – Forfar Farmington 4-2 Motherwell

Farmington: Lauren Perry, Cassie Cowper, Jade Lindsay, Kirsty Fraser, Lisa Ryan, (80) Billie Simpson, Donna Paterson, Eirinn McCafferty (45), Erin Rennie (80), London Pollard, Charlotte Gammie (56). Subs: Aimee Anderson (80), Fiona McNicoll, Molly-Mae Ramsay, Alana Bruce (45), Cheryl Kilcoyne (56), Leah White, Mel Stirling (80)

Motherwell, Khym Ramsay, Rachel Connor, Chelsie Watson, Lauren Gallon, Kodie Hay, Claire Adams, Katie Rice, Natasha Roberts, Lisa Swanson, Lori Gardner, Nicole Pullar. Subs: Georgia Rafferty, Lauryn Reside, Lynsey Baillie, Lucy Sinclair, Abby Callaghan, Kacey Watson, Abby Skelton

McCafferty loving life at Farmington

Recent signing Eirinn McCafferty has been enjoying her time at FClub so far and is really excited by Sunday’s curtain raiser against Motherwell in the SWPL1. 

McCafferty said, “I am excited for Sunday, I think it’ll be a good game and a good challenge, Sunday is the perfect opportunity for us to show what we’ve been working on through pre-season and also lockdown. 

“The training sessions have been a good high intensity, we’ve had a chance to work and develop on things, it’s been a positive last few weeks. 

“It’s been great to get back into Scottish football, I am loving every minute of my time here at FClub, there is a lot of talent around myself in the team and we all create a high standard when we train or play. 

“Over pre-season, it’s been good to be involved and play my part with goals and assists, I want to win as much games as possible this season and create a positive impact on the team.”

McGreskin pleased with pre-season but counts for nothing come Sunday

 

After a long 7 month lay-off due to COVID-19, Forfar Farmington are back in competitive action tomorrow afternoon hosting Motherwell at Station Park (2pm kick off). 

Due to the current government guidelines, no spectators will be allowed inside Station Park for tomorrow’s curtain raiser with Forfar Farmington assistant coach Kevin McGreskin hoping FClub supporters tune in via the live stream to watch the game, “We have had a good response to our online stream over the past few friendlies against Dundee United & Aberdeen & hopefully they will continue to log-on to the stream for tomorrows match as well. 

“The girls will go out & give their best on the day, Motherwell are a good side & they have a good manager in Eddie Wolecki Black whose been around the Womens game for years, Eddie will have Motherwell organised & tough to beat. 

“I am looking forward to the game & so is everyone else around the club, it’s always good when a season gets underway, we’ve had a pretty decent pre-season & played some good teams but getting the competitive games going is what we’re after.

“It’s good to go through pre-season undefeated but that counts for nothing on Sunday afternoon, we’ve used pre-season to give players a run-out & give minutes to players that need it. 

“It’s a good group of players here at Forfar Farmington, as a management team we are lucky to have that, we have brought in some new players & kept the players that have been around so we are gelling all the time. 

“There’s a real positive vibe about the club now, there is competition for places in the team, they all work hard on the training ground & hopefully the spectators will see a good performance tomorrow.”

 

 

 

Rennie looking forward to playing in the Premier League

New signing Erin Rennie, 17, is looking forward to testing herself in the Premier League & getting out her comfort zone. Erin enjoyed success at Celtic last year however is looking at the switch to FClub as an opportunity to progress the centre midfielder as a player in a competitive environment. 

Rennie said, “I am looking forward to playing in the SWPL1 with Forfar and against some of the best players in the country, I was playing in the Under 19s at Celtic however this move to Forfar will push me on playing against better players and older players too. 

“Hopefully I can get out my comfort zone and do well here at Forfar, I am looking to build myself up and help the team as much as possible. 

“The club has been brilliant with me so far, everything about the place seems professional and I have already got a good impression of the club based on what I’ve seen so far. 

“We are looking to win as much games as possible this season, we have Motherwell on Sunday which will be a hard game but one where we can get 3 points from. 

“There is a lot of competition within the club which will help towards improving me as a player, prior to coming here I had been doing a lot of individual work as part of pre-season with the government guidelines in place and I am excited by the upcoming season ahead,”

Anderson looking forward to big challenge

We snapped up Aimee Anderson, 16 on loan from Celtic for a season with Anderson highlighting the fact that it will be a big challenge for the winger.

Anderson enjoyed a successful 2019 with Celtic leading them to League and Scottish Cup success and started 2020 on a bright note being involved in the Scotland Under 16s squad before lockdown. 

Anderson spoke about the move to FClub by saying, “I am excited to join the club and start training with the players, it will be a big challenge for me as I am only 16 and the SWPL1 is a good standard however I know this will improve me as a player. 

“There is a lot of good, young players in the league with the aim being to come here and do well for the club, I wanted a new challenge and seen this move to Forfar as an opportunity to explore new things, coming to the Premier League will mean I can get better, get stronger and add some character into my game. 

“I’ve been impressed by the structure at the club already, it’s a really good set-up at Forfar Farmington, (Head Coach) Ryan McConville & (Assistant Coach) Kevin McGreskin have been really good with me so far and they both have high ambitions for this club. In terms of the squad, there’s some good players here already. 

“The aim is to get a few upsets and get some good wins during the season, being at Celtic I had a winning mentality. Fighting for your place in the team is much better than just getting handed a place in the starting 11 every week so I will just need to work hard to prove to Ryan & Kevin that am worthy of starting games.”