Edinburgh City 0 Forfar Athletic 4

SPFL cinch League 2
Ainslie Park, Edinburgh
Friday 17 December 2021

On paper, it looked like a tricky away fixture against one of the better teams in league two. On (synthetic) grass, however, the story was very different as Forfar strolled to victory at Ainslie Park against Edinburgh City. Scoring four goals away from home for the first time since a 4-2 win at Stranraer on December 21st 2019, the Loons left the capital with a clean sheet and an important three points that took them to within four of Kelty Hearts at the top of the table. Perhaps most impressively, this was Forfar’s seventh victory in their last eight league games.
All of which had manager Gary Irvine purring contentedly at not only a terrific result but the way in which it was achieved.
“Playing on a Friday night gave us the chance to pick up three points on every team in the division before they play tomorrow,” he said. “And we’ve done that. I’m delighted at the way we approached the game, the scoreline and the quality of the goals we scored,” he said. “I gave the player instructions coming down here and they went about things in just the right way. It even felt like we should have scored a few more, if that is not being to disrespectful to Edinburgh City. We had a good few chances towards the end of the game. So yes, I’m delighted.”
First-half goals from Andy Munro - his fourth of the season - Stefan McCluskey and Steven Anderson were the highlights of 45 minutes of almost total Forfar dominance. And when Matty Aitken added a fourth just three minutes into the second-half, the game was all but over as a serious contest.
“It was just a really good performance, especially as we had to change the formation from last week,” continued Irvine. “We had to alter our shape because of a few things we are dealing with. Grant Anderson was out through Covid, which was unfortunate. And we are nursing a few injuries. But the pleasing was that my players took what we worked on during the week onto the field tonight. They follow the instructions and the tactics felt could give us some joy against Edinburgh. I have to be honest, after only ten minutes I could see it was working perfectly.
“We were right on top of the opposition. We need gave them a minute on the ball. And we were positive in our attacks. Two goals from set-pieces was particularly pleasing. We’ve been getting some joy from that area recently. I keep telling Andy Munro and Steven Anderson to keep adding to their tallies. They are both real threats. And it was good to see Matty Aitken take advantage of a set-play too. I am delighted for him. He worked so hard to win the free-kick - chasing down their player - that led to the goal.”
Indeed, Aitken’s perseverance just prior to his tap-in goal was typical of Forfar’s enthusiasm for battle.
“We never gave Edinburgh City peace for even a minute,” agreed Irvine. “We applied pressure throughout the game and all over the pitch. Matty did that perfectly. And he got the reward from the resulting free-kick.”
In the wake of Aitken’s counter, Irvine was able to make as many four substitutions, McCluskey gave way to Scott Shepherd, Paul Crossan went off for Mark Gallagher, Aitken was replaced by Steven Doris and Yusuf Hussain took Luke Strachan’s place at left-back. All of which did little to upset the balance of the game and gave Irvine an opportunity to both rest a few weary legs and see one of two fringe players in action.
“This is a full squad game,” said the Forfar boss. “So it was important to spread out the minutes. Plus, as I said, we had a few injuries to think about. Stefan for one was touch-and-go before the game. He scored an unbelievably good goal and ran himself into the ground. So it was important to get him off and give him a chance to recover. We’ve got the weekend off and an extra day next week for him to recuperate.
“It was good too, to give a rest to guys who have played a lot of minutes in previous games,” he continued. “Matty is one of those. So yes, I was able to take players off who had done their bit tonight. But equally, I see guys pushing to get a game in training all the time. That’s part of what we are picking up points. Those not in the team are pushing to get a game and are desperate to get on the pitch. So tonight was a wee reward for them. They all added to the job the eleven starters had already done. Which is all I can ask from any player. They’ve given me some things to think about.”
Good things, that is.

Edinburgh City

21 Schwake
16 Kane
4 Farrell
5 Bronsky
2 Reekie
23 Murray ? Berry 60'
11 Hilton ? Smith 69'
17 Ferguson
22 Brian ? Jarron 82'
9 See ? Fraser 81'
26 Robertson

Substitutes
1 Quate
3 Jarron
6 Boyle
7 Smith
8 Fraser
12 Berry

Forfar Athletic

1 McCallum
2 Meechan
19 Munro ⚽️ 29'
4 S Anderson ⚽️ 40'
3 Strachan ? Hussain 83'
10 Slater
22 Moore
14 Thomas
24 Crossan ? Gallagher 61'
17 McCluskey ⚽️ 36' ? Shepherd 56'
9 Aitken ⚽️ 48' ? Doris 82'

Substitutes
12 Doris
15 Hussain
16 Gallagher
18 Shepherd
20 Harkins
23 Irvine

Referee: Alan Newlands
Attendance: 273