Bens Go Forth And Multiply

Bens came firing out of cold storage with a 4-2 victory over Forth Wanderers at Tinto Park today. After a threatening weather forecast the conditions turned out benign and Bens were eager, producing a superior performance that was only half reflected in the final score.

Having fallen behind to a 5 minute opener, their spirits weren't dampened and Gary McKenna was quick to spot a slack backpass lifted high towards the Forth goal. He pursued it and met it on the drop lobbing over the advancing keeper for the equaliser.

Paul Gillan put Bens ahead on 22 minutes from a set piece and then on 25 minutes, Steven Waddell (pictured) met a free-kick at the near post and fired Bens into a convincing lead.

Shooting down towards the pavilion end, Bens were carving open the Forth defence at will but a series of squandered chances and near misses prevented the lead increasing.

With Bens supporters thinking realistically their side could easily be going in at half-time 5 or 6 goals to the good, Forth struck back with a ball into the right side of the penalty area which was released across the six yard box for the centre to run into the net.

That's the name of the game as Barcelona will testify and Bens only stoked up pressure for the half ahead with this last minute lapse.

What should've been a cushioned start to the second half was gone and Forth pressed more into the Bens half in search of an equaliser. Quinn had to look smart both on and well off his line on occasions and the closest the visitors came to drawing level was on the hour mark when a perfect ball was played low across the Bens' goal and just beyond the far post with no takers.

With Forth looking to keep the game in the Bens' half, the counter-attack became an easier option and on 75 minutes a ball over the top on the left found Waddell who advanced into the area, stroking his shot past the keeper only for it to be turned out for a corner by a covering defender.

The kick was curled in but headed out the other side from the Forth goalline defender.This time the kick from the right was played to the front post where Stevie Waddell met it with his head and turned in a 4-2 lead for Bens.

The restoration of the two goal lead knocked the wind from Forth and Waddell was unlucky to see his scooped shot land outside the post from a McKenna cutback.

Bens' centre McKenna came even closer when on 85 minutes he fired a 30 yard freekick off the crossbar and over with the keeper scrambling.

Bens were awarded a similar freekick on 89 minutes when McGrath ran through the Forth lines only for the last man to bring him down. The defender was sent-off and although the kick game to nothing the match was over.

A lively show and excellent result for Bens to maintain their challenging position in preparation for some important matches ahead.

BENBURB: Quinn, Gillan, Smith, McGrath, McInnes, Carroll, Hepburn, Lovering, McKenna, Waddell, McKenzie.