MATCH PREVIEW: Forfar Athletic v Alloa Athletic

The ‘Loons’ entertain the ‘Wasps’ tomorrow night in the first leg of the the SPFL Championship Play-Off Final, arguably the highest profile fixture to be played at Station Park in many, especially the younger supporter’s life time.

Victory for Dick Campbell’s side over the two legs of the tie, the second due on Sunday would not only see them return to the second tier of Scottish League football for the first time since 1992, but the financial rewards of playing in the Championship as against League One are to say the least highly significant and probably worth a substantial six figure sum to the club.

However financial implications will be put to one side over the next five days as Forfar’s players who have given everything for the cause this season, at the same time galvanising the core support and many others to boot into the bargain will do battle in what for many, though certainly not of all of them, will be the biggest games to date of their careers.

The home side who more than merited their semi final success over Stranraer, dominating both legs of the tie for long periods, a fact acknowledged by our most gracious opponents and friends, will go into tomorrow night’s fixture with for a change no suspension worries and hopefully Dale Hilson able to play some part after missing both fixtures with the Stair Park side.

With Stuart Malcolm likely to return to his defensive role, it will leave Dick with the decision to make as to whether 18 year old Development side skipper Michael Kennedy will continue on the left flank of the back four.

No matter the starting line-up, the home support will be hoping for a repeat of last Wednesday’s all out attacking display which in the end simply blew Stranraer away.

For Alloa, it will be their first visit to Station Park for over two years, their promotion sealed at the end of the 2012/13 season through the play-off route when they triumphed over Dunfermline in the final.

After comfortably surviving in their first season in the higher echelon, the Clackmannanshire outfit now under the guidance of experienced boss Danny Lennon, despite a 3-0 home win on the final day of the league campaign had to settle for ninth spot, Livingston edging them out on goal difference.

In last week’s semi final first leg up at Glebe Park, former Newcastle United striker Michael Chopra gave them the lead in the 56th minute, Kyle Benedictus on loan from Dundee netting what in the end turned out to be the decisive second goal deep into injury time. Our near neighbours by all accounts had much the better of Saturday’s second leg, but could only find the back of the Alloa net on one occasion.

Wednesday’s match kicks-off at 7.45p.m. with normal league admission charges being levied.

The referee is Ayrshire based Kevin Graham who was the fourth official at the Stranraer fixture last midweek.

The match is sponsored by Astute, with a couple of parties also taking up the Hospitality Package offer.

The 1984 Lounge at the ground will be open from 6.30p.m. until just prior to kick-off and again for a period after the final whistle. It will not however be in operation during the half time interval.

The level of support that the players have received over the past two months has been almost beyond the wildest dreams of all connected with the club, with a substantial increase in home support being allied to a level of backing on our travels that has been at times astonishing.

A plea to that support and in fact to the local sporting fraternity.

Turn out in numbers on Wednesday night if you can. 

A large and vociferous home support will give the Management and Players such a boost and quite frankly is the least they deserve for their effort and performance in the Forfar colours since August of last year.

The final hurdle is in sight!