MATCH PREVIEW: Forfar Athletic v Airdrieonians
[Thursday, 18 December 2014 13:19]
Forfar Athletic entertain Gary Bollan’s Airdrieonians at Station Park on Saturday as they attempt to go through the first half of the season unbeaten on home ‘soil’ in SPFL league One fixtures. To date Dick Campbell’s troops have recorded seven wins and a draw, probably the hardest earned of those victories, last week’s 2-1 success over Stirling Albion.
To say on their own admission that the ‘Loons’ did not ‘fire on all cylinders’ against Albion would be an under statement. However Gavin Swankie and his team mates will be all out to end their calendar year of Station Park fixtures on a high, of this there is no doubt.
When the sides clashed in the west back in early October, it was Forfar who clinched the points in dramatic style. John Lister had given the ‘Diamonds’ a deserved lead in the 19th minute, the visitors on the day only coming to life in the final thirty minutes of the contest. Dale Hilson levelled the scores on the 67 minute mark, Swankie netting the winner with a close range header from an Omar Kader cross in added on time.
The Athies boss will again long term injury victim Derek Young apart, have a full pool to choose from but may have one or two difficult decisions to make following the impressions made by veteran subs Chris Templeman and Martyn Fotheringham in the second half of last week’s contest. Chris was the only one of last weekend’s outfield substitutes who did not get ‘game time’ in the midweek Development League fixture.
Airdrie come to Station Park in impressive form and this should mean a severe test for the home side and hopefully a cracking ninety minutes of action. By all accounts they more than deserved their point up at Glebe Park two weeks back, before outclassing Dunfermline at the Excelsior last Saturday.
Bryan Prunty, Nathan Blockley and Marc Fitzpatrick were the scorers in a 3-1 success, the impressive Paddy Boyle the man who was the creator of a couple of those counters.
The referee on Saturday is West Lothian based Gavin Duncan promoted to the Grade One list midway through last season, who will be refereeing his first competitive game involving the ‘Loons,’ though he did take charge of our pre-season fixture at Gayfield.
The match sponsor is that great friend of the club Alastair Wilson.
Stand admission is £13 for adults, £7 concessions, with ground prices set at £12/6.
Season ticket holders should utilise voucher 14.
A reminder that the 1984 Lounge at the ground will be open for business from 12.30p.m. and again straight after the final whistle.
Come along and join in the festive spirit!