MATCH PREVIEW: Stranraer v Forfar Athletic

The ‘Loons’ face a difficult task on Saturday when they make the long journey south to face one of the success stories of the season to date Stranraer who sit proudly in third spot in the league table. The Stair Park outfit, like Forfar are in the last sixteen of the William Hill Scottish Cup and earlier in the campaign dumped Premiership Ross County out of the League Cup before going down in an eight goal thriller at Easter Road.

Stephen Aitken’s side picked up the three points into the bargain on their October visit to Station Park courtesy of a 2-1 win, with goals from Jamie Longworth and Chris Aitken, this after Chris Templeman had given the homesters and early lead.

Longworth and Aitken have netted 18 and 12 goals respectively in the season to date, while former Forfar striker Martin Grehan is also in double figures on the scoring chart.

Gavin Swankie will again be an absentee from Dick Campbell’s squad through injury, though the management team were hopeful that Mark Baxter a late call off from the Ayr United game will be fit.

Dale Hilson who has agreed to remain with the ‘Loons’ for the remainder of the season will no doubt partner Chris Templeman up front, but their could be a change or two in the starting line-up following the disappointing performance against the ‘Honest Men.’

The Forfar squad trained on Monday night following the Ayr defeat and again on Boxing Day morning in preparation for the game, while Stranraer were of course in action at Ibrox on Thursday afternoon where they became the first team to crack open Rangers one hundred per cent record in league fixtures.

Whether that game will take its’ toll on the home players, only time will tell.

The match will be refereed by Glasgow based Barry Cook who handled the ‘Loons’ League Cup defeat at Dens Park back in late August.