MATCH PREVIEW: Stirling Albion v Forfar Athletic

The officials of both Stirling Albion and Forfar Athletic will be hoping that the rise in temperature overnight which is forecast to continue over the next 36/48 hours will be enough to save Saturday’s scheduled SPFL League One fixture at Forthbank.

By all accounts the playing surface at Albion’s home ground was rock hard on Thursday, so watch this space for further up dated news of conditions, potential pitch inspections etc.

If the game goes ahead, the home side will go into the fixture in bottom spot in the table and remarkably still chasing their first home win of the league campaign.

However in both games to date against the ‘Loons’, the ‘Binos’ have run Dick Campbell’s charges close.

Back in September at Stirling, the home side fought back from two goals down with twenty minutes remaining to clinch a share of the spoils. Then at Forfar only last month it took a headed goal from ‘super sub’ on the day Martyn Fotheringham in the dying embers of the game to clinch a 2-1 win for the ‘Loons.’

Stirling will go into Saturday’s game minus the suspended Lewis Coult, but will have new singing, defender Kevin McKinlay released by Ayr United in their ranks.

Forfar have a few injury worries with Dale Hilson ruled out following his hamstring injury in the opening minute of last week’s fixture with Stenhousemuir, while Mark Baxter and Chris Templeman remain doubtful.

Iain Campbell will continue in the left back spot following his temporary move from Cowdenbeath while all the fringe players got an excellent run out in the Forfarshire tie on Tuesday evening.

Saturday’s game will be refereed by Glaswegian Barry Cook who was in charge of the ‘Loons’ cup exit to Cowdenbeath in November.

If the game is given the go ahead, hopefully a fair number of the Station Park faithful will make the sixty mile journey to support Gavin and his team mates as they strive to maintain the club’s promotion push. Three points would certainly be a nice bonus if it can be achieved, prior to a spell when we will have three home games over the following four weekends.