05/09/2026
MATCH REPORT:
Forfar West End 1 Dundee Violet 3
📅 Saturday 5 September 2026 | Strathmore Park | Midlands League
Our boys made the short journey to Strathmore Park and returned home with all three points, seeing off Forfar West End by a 3-1 margin in a competitive Midlands League match.
The Pansies settled the quicker, and inside the first quarter-hour they fashioned the game's first real opportunity. A defensive lapse allowed Matty Adam in on goal, but his shot was brilliantly kept out by the alert Dylan Mackie in the West End goal. Minutes later, Keir Reilly broke clear and looked to have been felled from behind just as he prepared to pull the trigger — but the referee waved play on, much to the visitors' frustration.
Violet continued to ask questions. A surging run from deep by Owen Robb ended with a solid strike on target, but Mackie was equal to it, gathering comfortably at his near post.
At the other end, West End passed up a promising set-piece when a corner delivery was glanced wide of the mark.
The deadlock was broken after 35 minutes — and it was the home side who struck first. Kyle Hamilton rose highest at the back post, powering a header home after a fine delivery from Sean Hearn. Forfar West End led 1-0.
But Violet responded instantly. Just three minutes later, a clever flick from Ben Fraser sent Matty Adam clear, and the striker made no mistake, finishing clinically to level matters.
Half-time: Forfar West End 1 Dundee Violet 1
Second Half —
The second period remained tight. Early on, neat hold-up play and a sharp turn by Adam created space for a shot that drifted just wide of the upright. At the other end, some slack Violet play allowed a West End striker to let fly from outside the box — but Liam Dunn in the Violet goal was well positioned to make the save.
The decisive moment arrived on 70 minutes. A neat interchange of passing between Ross Ramsay and Nik Mann sliced open the home defence, and the ball was played in behind for skipper Josh McConville, who coolly steered it beyond Mackie to put Violet ahead for the first time — 2-1.
The Violet front duo combined again ten minutes later. Ramsay and Mann linked up once more, picking out Robbie Hood at the far post, but his effort slid agonisingly across the face of goal and wide.
West End's hopes of a comeback were effectively extinguished on 81 minutes when they were reduced to ten men — a red card for dissent leaving them with a mountain to climb. And the visitors made it pay four minutes from time. A defensive mistake saw Nik Mann latch on to a bouncing ball before the advancing Mackie, and the forward produced a delightful looping lob that settled neatly into the net — 3-1.
📝 Summary
It may not have been a flawless performance, but Violet did what was needed to secure a valuable three points on the road. While not hitting top gear, they showed grit, composure in front of goal, and a clinical edge once the game opened up. The result moves Violet up into 10th place in the league table — a solid platform to build on. 💛💙
Scorers:
🔵 Hamilton 35'
💛Adam 38', McConville 70', Mann 84'
