Ferry manager McCara hails in-form Faulkner

FERRY Athletic U/19’s boss Stuart McCara has hailed striker Rory Faulkner ahead of their East Region Cup secondround match against Jeanfield Swifts on Sunday.

Faulkner fired in a hat-trick in a 5-2 Presidents League win over Forfar West End a fornight ago which keeps up Ferry’s unbeaten run and gives them a boost before the sides face off in the G Kerr Cup Final in three weeks’ time.

Coach McCara was full of praise for the forward, who scored his fourth hat-trick in as many games. “Rory’s in top form,” he said. “We moved him up front a few weeks ago and, as you can see by the way he plays, we’re not going to be moving him back.

“He’s brilliant the way he runs at defenders, he must be a nightmare to play against.”

McCara was delighted to see his side take the three points from a Forfar side they shared the title with last season.

“They’re our rivals from last year and I thought we just about deserved to win,” he added.

“It’ll be an exciting final in a few weeks’ time and it gives us a wee bit of confidence but anything can happen on the day and we fully expect a hard game.”

Forfar struck first when Cameron Fraser swept home a cross from Kurtis Turek after 14 minutes but Andy Kelly turned home a corner a minute later to restore parity.

Faulkner’s first of the afternoon was provided by Blair McCord, who played a well-weighted ball behind the Forfar defence, allowing Faulkner to slot a low shot across Kyle Millar.

Forfar’s Rhys Fraser was denied by Stewart Linton before Ferry added their third midway through the second half. Blaine Duncan slipped in Faulkner and he beat Millar from a tight angle.

Alistair Wilson handed Forfar a late lifeline when he drilled a freekick from 20 yards past Linton but Ferry quickly re-established their two-goal advantage when McCord scored a penalty after Faulkner had been fouled.

There was still time for the McCord-Faulkner partnership to undo Forfar one more time. A late free-kick on the left was clipped into the box by McCord and Faulkner, the only Ferry player in the box, stooped in to head past Millar and complete his hat-trick.

Ferry Athletic U/19 (yellow) beat Forfar West End 5-2 in the Presidents League at Dawson Park two weeks ago. Last week’s games were off due to the snow.

Kirrie U/17 (blue) beat Monifieth 4-2 in the Henry Dolan Cup semi-final at Riverview a fortnight ago.

More action from Ferry Athletic U/19’s (yellow) 5-2 victory against Forfar West End a fortnight ago (above, right).

Fairmuir U/16 (tangerine) downed Monifieth 1-0 in the Queen’s Jubilee Cup second round two weeks back.