MATCH PREVIEW: Airdrieonians v Forfar Athletic

The record books will show that Forfar Athletic failed to record a victory at the impressive Excelsior Stadium against Airdrie United, so can they break their duck at the Lanarkshire ground against the re-incarnated Airdrieonians on Saturday first?

Three points would be a welcome boost for Dick Campbell’s side following their 2-1 defeat against a to be fair impressive Stranraer outfit at Station Park last Saturday.

For the second week running the ‘Loons’ will go into a league fixture knowing that a win would see them leap frog their opponents, the ‘Diamonds’ at present sitting in eighth spot in the table a point ahead of the Station Park outfit.

Both teams have a similar record over their last four league games into the bargain with one victory, that three point haul for Jimmy Boyle’s side coming in their last home game two weeks back, a 3-1 win over Brechin City. Last week they went down by the odd goal in five to a late controversial penalty at
Gayfield.

Stuart Malcolm and Martyn Fotheringham, absentees last week, have both taken part in training sessions this week and no doubt their fitness will be assessed up to the last minute by the ‘Loons’ management and medical teams. Trialist Jamie McCluskey who made an appearance from the substitute’s bench last Saturday will again be in the pool.

The home side will welcome back striker Jim Lister who missed last week’s game to be at the birth of his child, while there will of course be a familiar face in goal for the home eleven. Scott Gallacher having already turned out for parent club Rangers against the ‘Loons’ in the League Cup back in early August has now joined Airdrie on a temporary transfer.

Saturday’s contest will be refereed by Glasgow based official Barry Cook who took charge of Forfar’s League Cup joust at Dens in late August.