The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Sargent doubles up for happy Hale
ELGIN CITY 2 FORFAR ATHLETIC 1
Elgin boss Allan Hale was “delighted” for striker Ryan Sargent as Elgin City came from behind to defeat For far Athletic thanks to a brace from the ex-Broch man despite Jake Sutherland putting the Loons in front in the first half.
The main talking point of the game was the high winds that were everpresent at Borough Briggs and which even saw a goal kick from Forfar’s Marc McCallum go out behind him for a corner.
Hale described the conditions as “farcical”.
“I don’t think the game was ever going to be pretty with the conditions, I thought they were pretty farcical at times,” he said.
“We knew we would have to defend in the first half and have a lot of the ball in the second.”
Hale admitted he wasn’t happy with the “basic” goal his side conceded.
“I was really angry with the goal we gave away, it was basic.
“We took a gamble with winning the header and there was no one behind.”
Hale was full of praise for super sub Ryan Sargent who came on to score a brace to give his side all three points
“I was delighted for Sargent, he works so hard for the team.
“I think he’s been frustrated to be out of the team but you can impact a game coming on when you’re out of the team,” added the manager.
Hale also highlighted the importance of having players that can come on and change a game.
“We have a good squad with good depth but had 11 players missing today. To be the team we want to be, we need to have the depth and strength.”
The game took a while to get going with both sides trying to adjust to the conditions with City playing against the wind before the interval which meant the Loons had the better share of chances in the first half.
Forfar broke the deadlock on 25 minutes as Jake Sutherland beat Tom Ritchie in a one- on- one after a great ball from Jake Dolzanzki.
The second half shifted the momentum as Elgin had the wind with them and they equalised on 57 minutes thanks to Sargent, who had only been on for two minutes, heading in a great cross from Jack Maciver.
City took the lead on 66 minutes as Sargent headed home an inswung corner – also from Maciver – which was enough to give Elgin their first win in three games and move them to within two points of the play-offs, despite remaining eighth in the table.
Sargent was delighted with his impact on the game, and described how it was a game of two halves.
“It was a game of two halves, I knew the wind was with us which is my game, running in behind, so I’m delighted with my two goals.”
Sargent felt he should have got another, but was denied by a great save by Marc McCallum.
“I should’ve had a hattrick today, down the left hand side, I did everything right but the keeper made a brilliant save.”