MATCH PREVIEW: Stenhousemuir v Forfar Athletic

After an enforced break last weekend for both sides due to their non participation in the cup, Forfar Athletic and Stenhousemuir will resume SPFL League One hostilities at Ochilview on Saturday.

The ‘Loons’ will go into the fixture with their main injury worries, Derek Young apart having cleared up and Dick Campbell will also welcome defender Jim Paterson to the fold after the completion of his two match suspension.

The ‘boss’ will also have to decide whether to utilise Michael Travis for what would be the third and last time in a ‘trialist’ role under league rules. Consideration of a potential signing cannot take place until the transfer window opens on January 3rd.

The Manager resisted the temptation to arrange a friendly fixture over the past fortnight, feeling that the squad would benefit more from a handful of hard working sessions on the training ground.

The ‘Warriors’ go into the game in eighth position in the table, twelve points adrift of their visitors. However Scott Booth and his squad will take heart from an excellent 1-0 victory over Dunfermline Athletic in their last home match. They have three former ‘Loons’ players in their ranks defender Stewart Greacen, midfield player Gregor Fotheringham and striker Martin Grehan, although Stewart was the only one of the trio who was in the starting line-up in the 3-1 defeat at Cappielow on the 22nd of last month. 

When the sides met at Station Park in early October, it was Forfar who came out on top to the tune of 3-0, their goal scorers on the day, Dale Hilson, Gavin Swankie and Martyn Fotheringham.

Saturday’s fixture will be handled by Aberdeenshire school teacher Mat Northcroft, a familiar figure at Athies fixtures for some time.

A reminder that there a still a few seats available on the Supporters Coach to the game.