MATCH PREVIEW: Forfar Athletic v Cowdenbeath

Saturday’s William Hill Scottish Cup third round tie at Station Park will see the paths of Forfar Athletic and Cowdenbeath cross for the first time in the national ‘tourney’ since 1980.

It will also see Dick Campbell pit his wits in the dug out with his long time friend Jimmy Nicholl, the former Northern Ireland international now in his second spell as the man at the helm at Central Park.

The teams go into the contest with only one place separating them in the league ‘ladder’, the hosts sitting two points clear at the top of SPFL League One, the visitors occupying bottom spot in the Championship following their 6-0 defeat from Falkirk last weekend.

The ‘Loons’ are on an eight game unbeaten run which to be fair was sorely tested by Stranraer last Saturday. Also for the first time in recent weeks a number of the squad were receiving treatment for niggling injuries on Thursday evening and one or two may require further assessment in the run up to kick-off. 

However hopes are still relatively high that Derek Young apart, the Station Park men will be at full strength come 3p.m. on Saturday with Gavin Swankie certain to return after his enforced absence last week.

The home supporters will certainly be hoping that the fast flowing football seen in many of the league fixtures to date will be transferred to the cup tie arena.

The visitors have won two league games to date at home to Queen of the South and away to Alloa Athletic.

They have an interesting mix of experience and youth with a couple of players in their squad with Station Park connections.

Iain Campbell of course moved to the Fife outfit in the summer after five successful seasons with Forfar. However he was subbed at the interval at the Falkirk Stadium last week and could be ‘sweating’ on a place in the starting eleven.

The other connection is a bit more obscure with young former Scotland Youth team keeper Robbie Thomson being the son of Scott Thomson who was a popular custodian with Forfar in the early nineties before moving on to League Cup glory with Raith Rovers.

Hopefully given a decent early winter’s day and the magic of the cup, the match will draw a decent crowd. Certainly last Saturday saw the home support boosted ever so slightly and hopefully that momentum can be continued.

Admission prices are as for a normal league fixture;-

Stand £13 concessions £7

Ground £12 concessions £6

A reminder that Forfar Athletic season tickets are not valid for Scottish Cup ties.

The referee on Saturday is Barry Cook, capped at Scottish Schoolboy and Youth level when a promising goalkeeper, now however in his third season as a Grade One official.

The 1984 Lounge at the ground will be open from 12.30p.m. till 2.45p.m. to supporters of both clubs and again from the final whistle till 7.30p.m. Club officials are delighted with the number of supporters who are adding to the enjoyment of their day at Station Park by utilising the excellent facility now available to them.