GREENOCK Wanderers face their stiffest test of the season at Fort Matilda tomorrow when Glasgow Hawks visit on Scottish Cup business.

The group stages reach a climax this weekend and if Wanderers can defeat their illustrious opponents then a place in the knock-out tournament will be virtually assured.

Hawks look likely to qualify from the section as group winners, irrespective of tomorrow's result, but if Wanderers get anything from the game then they would be in a strong position to qualify as best placed runners-up.

The Glasgow side are one of the top teams in the country but their 22-6 victory over Wanderers at Old Anniesland in November flattered them as the locals put on a fantastic performance and took much credit and plenty of plaudits from the game.

Hawks have a strong local connection as first team regulars Jack McFarlane, Jono Wright and Andy Kirkland all came through the Wanderers youth system and maintain strong links to the club.

Wanderers will go into the match with confidence after returning to winning ways last weekend against Whitecraigs. A cameo performance from Brendan McGroarty put paid to the visitors from Newton Mearns and kept Wanderers' hopes of qualification alive.

All thoughts this week down Fort Matilda way though have been on tomorrow's big game.

Head coach Graham Finnie said: "We performed well at Old Anniesland and are capable of doing so again as long as we focus for the full 80 minutes.

"The boys are aware of the importance of the game and are up for the challenge."

As far as team selection goes Wanderers are still without injury victims Callum Robb, Jamie Mooney and Murray McDonald. Despite that the forwards look strong with Dave Paton, Andy Love and Dougie Smith packing down in the front row and Skipper Ally Abernethy joining Matt Gray in the boiler house. The front five will be tasked with ensuring forward momentum and there is a gritty determination about this group that gives their team mates confidence that the set piece will deliver.

Graham Mooney will lead the breakaway trio and the open side flanker will look to post yet another top class performance. Mooney has been outstanding this season and his combative display at the contact zone has been the rock that many opposition attacks have foundered on. Anton Ward looks likely to start alongside Mooney and the youngster has also caught the eye with his recent performances.

As well as being industrious in the loose, Ward is a good source of possession from the lineout.

Finnie will stick with a tried and tested formula behind the scrum. In-form half-back pairing Andy McDougall and Callum Harrison will orchestrate Wanderers' attacking options and McDougall in particular will ask questions of the Hawks back row defence with his tactical acumen and runs around the base of the contact zone.

McDougall's man of the match display at Old Anniesland will certainly have been noticed by the Hawks and he is likely to come in for some added attention.

Centre pairing McGroarty and Kieren Smith will patrol the midfield channel and like McDougall their reputation goes before them.

The Hawks' defence will police them closely and with space to manoeuvre in centre midfield likely to be in short supply Wanderers may well be forced to go wide to wingers James Kemp and Sean Connolly.

Kemp and Connolly are fast, strong and direct and they are capable of cutting any defence to pieces.

Ant Devlin gets the nod at fullback and Wanderers will rely on his kicking skills from hand and tee to ensure they enjoy as much territorial advantage as possible.

The wise money will clearly go on the visitors who should have too much strength, experience and power for Wanderers to cope with. On the other hand Wanderers did themselves proud in the first leg and with a large and vocal following at their back will look to build on that performance and further enhance what is a growing reputation within the Scottish club game.

Wanderers' v Glasgow Hawks at Fort Matilda. Kick-off 2pm. Squad - D Paton, A Love, D Smith, M Gray, A Abernethy [C], A Ward, G Mooney, M Rainey, A McDougall, C Harrison, J Kemp, K Smith, B McGroarty, S Connolly, A Devlin, L Hoodless, A Lyon, S Alexander, A Crossan, G Fletcher and L Campbell.

Wanderers are sponsored by Texas Instruments. Match sponsor - Brian Hall Sales and Service.

This article was posted on 14-Dec-2012, 13:32 by Hugh Barrow.