MATCH PREVIEW: Forfar Athletic v Stranraer

The ‘Loons’ will entertain Stranraer at Station Park on Wednesday evening in the first leg of the Championship Play-Off Semi Final following differing results in two fixtures which were played just twelve miles apart on Saturday afternoon.
While Dick Campbell’s side were going down 3-1 at home to Ayr before an astonishing crowd of 1,916, Stephen Aitken’s team were triumphing by the same score line up at Brechin.
Those results meant that the Stair Park side leapfrogged the Station Park outfit into the runners-up spot in SPFL league One, behind eventual winners Morton in one of the tightest finishes to the division in many a year.
Forfar will now have to re-group and battle on, at the same time attempting to get past the semi final of the second tier play-off competition for the first time, having failed at the same ‘hurdle’ in both 2013 against Dunfermline Athletic and in 2011 when Ayr United provided the opposition.
Injuries and suspensions are without doubt a headache going into the contest for the home management team, with a couple of players nursing new knocks following the fixture with Ayr and possibly facing late fitness checks. Derek Young though completed a full training session on Monday night and he could return to the starting line up.
Michael Dunlop will of course miss out following his sending off in Saturday’s contest and it is a possibility that one of the club’s impressive Development Squad could find himself making his full first team debut come 7.45p.m. on Wednesday evening.
Stranraer for whom Willie Gibson netted a brace of penalties at the Glebe on Saturday are likely to be on similar lines to recent weeks, although Chris Aitken will return to the pool, having served a one match ban at the weekend following his red card in the 2-0 defeat from Morton the previous week.
Both teams have recorded a win in the four contests between them in the regular season, Stranraer winning the match at Stair Park in early January 4-2, while a Gavin Swankie goal secured the points for the home side at Station Park in March.
The sides will no doubt have by now put the disappointment of missing out on the title behind them and will be up for fight ahead in the four team end of season ‘lottery’ which also involves Brechin City and Alloa Athletic.
The support that the ‘Loons’ have enjoyed over the past couple of months has been phenomenal culminating in over 1500 locals turning up on Saturday past. Rest assured it has been appreciated by all involved in the club and that is probably an understatement of the fact.
Hopefully despite the midweek slot a fair number will make their way to Station Park on Wednesday night to get behind the team once again, as they strive to gain a first leg advantage, prior to the 180 mile trip to the south-west on Saturday for the second leg.
The referee on the night is experienced Premier League official Stephen Finnie.
Normal league admission prices will apply namely;-
Stand – Adults £13 Concessions £7
Ground – Adults £12 Concessions £6
Forfar Athletic season tickets are valid and voucher 24 should be utilised.
A reminder that the 1984 Lounge will be open from 6.30p.m. onwards and again after the final whistle.