Forfar Athletic 4 Dundee ‘B’ 1

Forfar Athletic rose to eighth in the KDM Evolution Trophy on Saturday with a convincing victory over Premiership Dundee’s B team at the Alpha Projects Stadium @ Station Park.

There was still a bit of summer left in the air, as Forfar took to the pitch, with 3 changes to the side that played East Kilbride last weekend. Neil Stafford, Lewis Lorimer and Jake Sutherland in for Scott Shepherd, Marc McCallum and the injured Ross MacLean.

There was very little action to speak of in the first 10 minutes or so until Forfar won a free kick in a dangerous position in 17 minutes, but it came to nothing, but one minute later, Dundee would score. A bit of a mix up at the back for Forfar led to an easy tap in for Dundee’s Finlay Allan, as he rounded Neil Stafford in the Forfar goal. Two minutes later, Dundee would almost double their lead as more uncertainty in the Forfar defence allowed Luca Perrie a good chance, however his shot cannoned off the left-hand post and away to safety.

Immediately, Forfar attacked as Martin Rennie coolly latched on to a long ball from Craig Slater, then showed great composure, slotting the ball past Ruaridh Lynch from 10 yards out making it 1-1.

The goals seemed to bring the game to life as we saw Rennie have a header not far wide and then Kieran Inglis saw a good sight of goal in 30; his shot flying just wide. Jake Sutherland, for the home team, meanwhile was growing into the game – showing some neat touches and attacking intention.

In 37 minutes, Sutherland, on a dangerous run into the Dundee box, was brought down, referee, Lewis Hogarth immediately pointing to the spot. Sutherland himself stood up and sent the keeper the wrong way to make it 2-1 to the home team.

Dundee went on to have a bit of pressure before half time, but this was largely ineffective.

Half time: Forfar Athletic 2-1 Dundee B

Jim Weir made 3 substitutions at half time, Dolzanski, Scott and Rennie going off for Shepherd, Richardson and Allan; seeming to make for a more attacking formation at the same time. The first 10 minutes of the half would be very scrappy, with a couple of softish yellow cards being shown and Forfar having a few set pieces. More subs to follow for Forfar in 56: Nathan Cannon and Mackenzie Lemon replacing Lewis Martin and Lewis Lorimer respectively.

Forfar then went on to carve out more and more chances: Matty Allan brought about a smart save from Lynch in 57 and a nice move in 68 minutes saw Kieran Inglis’ shot go just over the Dundee bar. Nathan Cannon was coming more into the game too – a great touch to bring the ball down in 72, crossing for the predatory Sutherland, who drew out a great save from the Dundee number 1.

However, the best moment of the afternoon was reserved for the 78th minute as we saw the influential Craig Slater run 40 yards of the pitch before rifling the ball past the helpless Ruaridh Lynch from fully 25 yards to make it 3-1 to the home team.

Jamie Richardson was proving tricky for the away defence now and he, too, was unlucky not to add the Forfar tally in 80 minutes as he saw his effort grasped by Lynch at the near post.

In 83 minutes, Nathan Cannon got his reward for his constant graft as he made a great run across the box, seeing his shot then deflected into the Dundee net to make it 4-1. Forfar would control the last few minutes, with Sutherland still going strong right at the end – winning a corner that was never his to win in the 93rd minute.

Final score: Forfar Athletic 4-1 Dundee B

Attendance: 437

Match report by Alex Colquhoun