MATCH PREVIEW: Forfar Athletic v Stranraer

The ‘Loons’ return home to Station Park on Saturday after three games on the road which yielded mixed results and to be fair differing performance levels.

A final return of three points from the three fixtures which followed an excellent home performance last time out against Dunfermline was a slightly disappointing reward with the eventual loss by the odd goal in five at Peterhead on Tuesday night, a ‘bitter pill to swallow.’

The home side will go into Saturday’s contest against a Stranraer outfit sitting one point above them in the league table without the suspended Stuart Malcolm. Dick Campbell will have the option of slotting Iain Campbell back into a defensive role or he could decide on the return in central defence of Michael Dunlop, now fully recovered from injury to fill the gap.

The Manager is more than likely to tinker with his selection from Tuesday, with Dale Hilson, Danny Denholm and Stephen Husband all candidates for a return to the starting line-up.

The visitors have again had already had a season to remember under Stephen Aitken’s stewardship. A lofty league position has been supplemented by a run to the Petrofac Cup Semi Final and a last sixteen televised tie in the Scottish at home to Dundee United.

The Athies defence will no doubt be primed to deal with the Stair Park strike force of Jamie Longworth and Craig Malcolm, while Jon McShane a transfer window capture from East Fife has a handful of goals already ‘under his belt.’

The sides shared the points in both early season encounters, 1-1 the score on each occasion, Forfar having to fight back from the loss of an early goal in the two fixtures.

However at Stair Park on to say the least a blustery afternoon in early January, it was the home side who came out on top to the tune of 4-2.

Saturday’s game will be refereed by second season Grade One official Nick Walsh who handled the Station Park clash between the sides in October.

Match sponsors are Graham & Sibbald, Chartered Surveyors.

Admission prices are the normal £13/£7 for the stand, £12/£6 for the ground.

Season ticket holders should utilise voucher 20.

A reminder that the 1984 Lounge at the ground is open from 12.30p.m. till just before kick-off and then from the final whistle until approximately 7.30p.m.

All supporters are welcome.