Elgin City v Forfar Athletic – Match Preview

The ‘Loons’ will head north on Saturday to Boroughbriggs to face Elgin City as the final quarter of the league campaign commences.

Certainly Stuart Morrison and his colleagues are well aware that nine ‘cup finals’ lie in front of them, but they will make the journey to Morayshire in good heart following on from Tuesday night’s dramatic victory at Stair Park.

Bradley Rodden’s 94th minute winner could well turn out to be one of the most important penalty conversions in the club’s history, the striker who had come on as a sub just before the hour mark having been upended in the box to win the spot kick. He then showed not one ounce of nerves as he sent keeper Josh Lane the wrong way before slotting the ball into the opposite corner of the net.

Manager Jim Weir was not surprisingly delighted with the second half showing at Stranraer, especially considering his side were reduced to ten men with Mackenzie Lemon’s dismissal which in retrospect seemed to be a little harsh on the stroke of half time. The manager is also very pleased that we have secured seven points from three away fixtures, but of course as with all connected with the club the performance at home to Clyde still rankles. Jim though has urged his squad to build on these results and in particular the second half showing at Stair Park in the weeks ahead with a run of consistent and points winning performances the ultimate aim.

The management team of course on their return to Elgin certainly have a problem or two in regards to team selection for the fixture against their previous employers. As many as five players could be sidelined by injury. Nathan Cannon and Marley Sweenie-Rowe are definitely unfit, with Ross MacLean, Russell McLean and Declan Byrne also expected to sit out the contest. On top of that Mackenzie Lemon will be suspended.

There is however still talent a plenty in the eighteen man squad available for the trip, with the new faces recruited over the past couple of months all beginning to make an impact on the overall picture at the club both on and off the field.

The home side have stuttered a little in recent weeks, certainly losing momentum as far as their title aspirations are concerned. They still sit in a comfortable play-off position and will be keen to get back to winning ways tomorrow. Manager Allan Hale and his staff have done a fine job at Elgin since being recruited from Huntly last year, the club’s current ambitions epitomised by the signing of Kane Hester whom the ‘Loons’ were also interested in from Montrose in late January for a substantial five figure fee. Two players in the City ranks Russell Dingwall and Mark Gallagher have worn the Athies colours in times past, the former in fact giving the Boroughbriggs outfit a 76th minute lead in the Station Park clash in January, Cameron Logan with his only ‘Loons’ goal to date equalising ten minutes later.

Jim Weir is in no doubt that a tough ninety minutes lie ahead for his ‘troops’ on Saturday but all will travel confident of securing some reward from the tussle.

The referee for Saturday’s contest is Duncan Nicolson.

Admission prices at the well appointed Boroughbriggs ground situated just a ‘stones throw’ from the town centre are as follows;-

Stand – Adults £18 – concessions £12
Ground – Adults £16 – concessions £10

Admission to the stand is by ticket only, available via Fanbase, see the Elgin City website for full details. Tickets can also be purchased in advance via Fanbase for the ground, however a pay at the turnstile facility on match day is also available.

Under 16’s are admitted foc if accompanied by a paying adult.

Forfar Athletic supporters will be made welcome in the Social Club situated within the main stand at Boroughbriggs prior to kick-off.

C’mon the ‘Loons.’

Saturday’s other William Hill League2 fixtures;-Bonnyrigg Rose v Edinburgh City, Clyde v East Fife, Spartans v Stirling Albion, Stranraer v Peterhead