MATCH PREVIEW: Forfar Athletic v Morton

Forfar Athletic and the men from Cappielow meet for the first time since the spring of 2007 in a much anticipated League One encounter at Station Park on Saturday.

It was a great surprise to many especially after their early season League Cup heroics at Celtic Park when Morton ended up cast adrift in bottom spot of the Championship last season under the stewardship of Kenny Shields. The Ulsterman who subsequently relinquished the role in May had taken over the managerial post midway through the campaign following the departure of Alan Moore, now the incumbent of the Gayfield manager’s chair.

In the early part of the close season Jim Duffy moved from Clyde back to his old haunt at the ‘tail o’ the bank’ to attempt to lead the Greenock outfit back to the second tier of Scottish football at the first attempt. They have remained full-time which obviously alone makes them one of the bookies favourites for the title from the off and have made an encouraging start to the campaign.

They are through to the quarter final of the Petrofac Training Cup, while Dick Campbell made the journey to Cappielow on Tuesday past to see them somewhat unluckily it would appear fail to reach the third round of the League Cup following a solitary goal defeat from Partick.

In the league after a first day blip at Ayr, they have recorded victories over Stranraer and Peterhead.

As for the home side they will go into the game hoping to re-discover the form that saw them deservedly defeat the ‘Pars’ at Station Park two weeks ago and prior to the enforced one week break ahead, quickly erase the memory of a disappointing defeat at Somerset Park last time out.

Dick and his players will also be keen no doubt to put on a performance of note not only for their band of loyal supporters, but also for the invited guests who will be watching from the stand following the pre-match opening of the club’s new hospitality facilities.

Aaron James will miss Saturday’s match following the blow he took in the early stages of last Saturday’s encounter which has subsequently seen him make a couple of hospital visits during the week.

Chris Templeman is also a doubt for the game against a side who once paid Brechin City £80,000 for his services. The big front man is likely to face a late fitness test.

Mark Baxter who came on for Aaron after only seven minutes last week is again the obvious replacement in the full back role. Along with all of last Saturday’s substitutes, Mark got valuable game time ‘under his belt’ on Tuesday evening in a 4-2 win in a closed doors friendly against an Arbroath X1.

Morton normally bring a more than welcome substantial travelling support with them, while ‘Loons’ officials will also look forward to hosting the long serving Chairman and benefactor of the Greenock outfit Douglas Rae, a good friend in the distant past to the Station Park club.

Saturday’s match which will be refereed by Premiership official Crawford Allan is sponsored by Milnbank Developments Ltd.

Forfar Athletic season ticket holders should utilise voucher 6.