MATCH PREVIEW: Airdrieonians v Forfar Athletic

Dick Campbell’s side will play the first of eight remaining away league fixtures when they make the journey west on Saturday to tackle Gary Bolan’s Airdrie outfit in the BBC Alba televised clash.

They will head to New Broomfield or as it is also recognised, the Excelsior Stadium in good heart following their 3-1 success in what could have been a tricky ninety minutes against Peterhead last Saturday.

That result in what due to varying circumstances ended up being the only SPFL League One fixture played on the day saw the ‘Loons’ move back into second spot in the table, just point adrift of Stranraer.

They also sit fifteen points clear of their Saturday opponents, the ‘Diamonds’ sitting in seventh spot at present in the table. That statistic however will mean not a jot come the kick off at 5.30p.m. on Saturday afternoon or early evening, depending on your persuasion.

Forfar are likely to be along similar lines to last week, although the Manager will again have to decide whether to introduce the fit again Dale Hilson to the starting line-up. Mark Baxter and Michael Dunlop continue their recovery from injury and are unlikely to be available.

The home side’s scheduled fixture at Ayr last weekend fell victim to the frosty conditions, but the Lanarkshire outfit will go into the game on the back of a five game run since the turn of the year which has only seen them lose once, up at Peterhead. Their other four games against four of the teams in the top five have seen a return of one win and three draws, their most recent a 1-1 home share of the spoils with our Angus neighbours Brechin City on the last day of last month.

The postponement of their fixture at Somerset Park also afforded Gary Bolan and coach Stuart Garden a chance to watch the Athies in action first hand against Jim McInally’s side last Saturday.

The two previous games between the sides this term have been close run affairs.

Down at Airdrie in October, a last minute counter from Gavin Swankie secured a 2-1 win for the visitors, while at Station Park on the Saturday before Christmas, the end product was a 1-1 draw.

Paddy Boyle gave Airdrie a deserved lead that afternoon twelve minutes into the second period, Michael Dunlop netting the equaliser with a close range header in the 79th minute of the contest.

Saturday’s referee is Ayrshire based Greg Aitken, promoted to the Premiership group of officials this term. Greg handled the ‘Loons’ visit to Cappielow in November, when he in fact issued the only red card to date this season to a Forfar player.

A period of silence is to be observed prior to kick off following the sad passing this week of Jack Syme.

A healthy support would appear to be making the journey to the game, despite the clash with St. Valentine’s Day celebrations and hopefully they will get right behind their favourites from the first whistle. To be fair there is no doubting they will.

A reminder to supporters that the match on Saturday is a “Pay What You Can” fixture.