MATCH PREVIEW: Forfar Athletic v Brechin City

The much anticipated first SPFL derby of the season between the ‘Loons’ and neighbours Brechin City takes place at Station Park on Saturday.

The home side go into the game sitting two points and two places above their rivals in the league table, but as ever that will mean little in the cut and thrust of what will no doubt be a fiercly contested ninety minutes.

Both sides go into the fixture on the back of disappointing results last weekend. Dick Campbell’s side let slip a two goal lead to end up sharing the spoils at Stirling, while Ray McKinnon’s troops lost 4-2 at home in controversial circumstances by all accounts to Ayr United. City’s Greg Cameron saw ‘red’ in that fixture for two cautionable offences and will therefore sit out this Saturday’s contest.

Forfar go into the game with Aaron James and Andrew Steeves still side lined, Michael Dunlop who failed a late fitness test last week after picking up an injury in the midweek match against Stenhousemuir also an absentee. 

Martyn Fotheringham got more game time under his belt in the Development League fixture at Stirling on Tuesday night, while Chris Templeman who made his come back from the bench in the dying moments at Forthbank has taken a full part in both training sessions this week. However despite the late lapses against Albion, the starting line-up is likely to be along similar lines to last week.

There were to say the least a few titanic ‘battles’ between the sides last season, six in all. The ‘Loons’ came out on top twice in the league, including an astonishing 5-1 success at the Glebe in January, City winning once, the final match at Station Park in the spring of this year ending ain a 1-1 draw. In the Scottish Cup it was Forfar who came through an epic encounter in a penalty shoot out after 210 minutes of action, this despite never having been in the lead in the tie.

Past history will not matter ‘a jot’ come 3p.m. on Saturday afternoon however and without doubt both management teams will have their players well prepared and set for the ninety minutes ahead of them.

Saturday’s game is sponsored by those great supporters of the Station Park club James F. Stephen, Architects.

The man in the middle is Ayrshire based Kevin Graham.

Ground admission charges are the normal £12 for adults, £6 concessions, with Forfar Athletic season ticket holders due to utilise voucher 9.

A reminder to both sets of supporters that the 1984 Lounge at the ground will be open from 12.30p.m. till kick off time and also after the final whistle.