‘Loons’ manager Jim Weir is well aware that Saturday’s Scottish Gas Scottish Cup second round clash at Newtown Park in Bo’ness is a massive game for the club; in fact, it is a similar scenario for all forty clubs who will battle it out for a third round berth over the weekend.
It also, as far as the Athies are concerned, shifts the focus away from our current league form and hopefully the change of competition and environment will give the players a welcome boost.
Certainly a fair number of the Station Park squad will have come up against Lowland or Highland League opposition at this stage of the national tournament at some time in their careers, for the ‘Loons’ in fact a seventh season in succession.
Team-wise, Adam Brown, Jake Dolzanski and Mackenzie Lemon are again sidelined, but permission has been granted by their parent clubs for the players in the squad on temporary transfer to participate, a bonus indeed to the Forfar management team.
Bo’ness go into the contest on the back of an impressive 3-1 win over Brechin City last weekend, all their goals scored by Jack Hodge, Roan Fitzpatrick and Jamie Allan coming in the second half of the contest.
Stuart Hunter’s side head into the tie sitting in ninth position in the Lowland League ten points adrift of leaders Tranent, with five victories recorded from their eleven outings to date.
In the first round of the cup they came from behind on home ‘soil’ to defeat Irvine Meadow by the odd goal in five.
Jim Weir will no doubt make his players well aware of the importance of the fixture and also the battle that will lie ahead, with overhead conditions perhaps also due to play a part in the proceedings.
A trio of female match officials will take control of Saturday’s cup tie. Grade One referee Abbie Hendry will be in charge, assisted by Victoria Kane and Hannah McLean.
The kick-off is at 3 p.m. Admission prices are as follows:
Adults £12
Concessions ( over 65 & students) £8
Under 16s – free of charge
Payment is by cash at the turnstile only.
For ‘Loons’ fans heading to West Lothian, Bo’ness officials have asked to advise that full refreshment facilities are available at the club adjacent to the ground both before and after the match. All welcome.
C’mon the ‘Loons’
Footnote – Twenty second round ties will take place over two days, beginning with the televised clash between East of Scotland League side Penicuik and Clyde on Friday evening.
Three matches, the Athies fixture apart, involving local sides are scheduled to take place on Saturday. The Spartans will no doubt be wary of their trip to Thomson Park to take on in-form Lochee United, Brechin City welcome Strathspey Thistle to Glebe Park, while Midland League Tayport face the long jaunt down the A77 to meet William Hill League2 leaders Stranraer.
