Campbell Wonder Goal Seals Superb Display

Alloa Athletic 0 Forfar Athletic 3

The Loons travelled to Recreation Park for what could only be described as a "six pointer" with regards to who makes the play offs and who doesn't.

Alloa had home advantage, however Forfar were the form team following two good victories and a draw in recent weeks, whereas the Wasps had suffered a poor run losing four matches in a row.

As will happen with games coming thick and fast, changes were required to the starting line up, Fotheringham faced suspension, and Iain Campbell was suffering from injury. Barry Sellars and David Mowat were able replacements.

Forfar started the stronger, and within 15 minutes had 3 times given the home defence concerns, the closest effort coming from a Campbell glancing header following neat work between Hilson and Deasley. Alloa then settled down, and won 2 free kicks within five minutes, however both were dealt with by the visiting defence.

The travelling supporters were enjoying the passing game being adopted by the Loons, passes were sprayed from wing to wing and Hilson, Deasley, McCulloch, Templeman and Campbell were certainly giving cause for concern for Alloa. Clever work between Templeman and Deasley saw Chris's effort deflected for a corner. Chris was soon involved in the action again when he collected a Greg Ross throw in, shield the ball, turn two defenders and release Campbell, Ross took a step forward before firing into the side netting.

Alloa then gave the Forfar defence a timely reminder they were still in the game when MacDonald crossed for Prunty who headed just over from 10 yards out. The remainder of the half was fairly even with neither side able to break the deadlock.

On 53 minutes the Loons had a glorious chance to open the scoring, Deasley cut in on the left and centered, but as the move was intercepted the tricky winger started the move up again on the right - he avoided a challenge before passing to Hilson, the chance was wasted though as Dale decided to shoot yards past goal with Templeman and Campbell both waiting to slide home in the middle.

The first goal did arrive soon after, with Alloa on the attack. As the home side pressed, Bishop did well to intercept on the edge of the penalty box, the ball broke clear to Sellars who drilled a 40 yard inch perfect pass straight to Campbell. Ross took a touch before firing a left foot shot low beyond the despairing Ewings.

Forfar then started to dominate and when Deasley delivered a perfect cross,Templeman did everything right with his header only to see Ewings make an amazing save palming the header onto the bar with the ball going behind for a corner. The home side decided to make three changes within 5 minutes, but Forfar remained on top. The killer second goal was fitting to win any match, Campbell collected the ball 35 yards out and hit a wonder strike into the top left hand corner of the goal.

The Boss brought on Gibson for Deasley with 7 minutes remaining, and then with only 2 minutes left Callum Smith replaced Templeman. The young striker was to have the final say of the day when he drilled home a Mowat pass into the back of the net from 12 yards.

A thoroughly deserved victory for Forfar cements them in 4th place, and that's now three clean sheets defended in a row.

We should not get too carried away, for there is still a long way to go before the season ends, however it's only right that we take time to congratulate the Boss, team and backroom staff for the effort and application put in since the return to football, and no one can deny the Loons are sitting in a very strong position.

Match Report by Kevin Brown