MATCH PREVIEW: Forfar Athletic v Dunfermline Athletic

The ‘Loons’ and the ‘Pars’ meet for the second time this season in what is a mouth watering clash scheduled for Station Park on Saturday first.

The free scoring East End Park outfit with 17 league goals in the ‘bag’ from their four outings to date, triumphed 3-0 at Forfar in the Petrofac Cup just over two weeks back and will obviously travel north in confident mood to tackle the league leaders in the Match of the Day in Ladbrokes League 1.

Since their victory in the cup tie, Alan Johnston’s side lost 2-1 up at Peterhead in what was by all accounts a tense ninety minutes, before triumphing 3-1 over Premiership Dundee in the League Cup. They also bounced back to winning ways on league duty last Saturday picking up all three points against visitors Stranraer.

Ace marksman this term Faisall El Baktaoui was on the mark in both these contests as he was on their visit to Station Park.

Dunfermline listed Shaun Rooney and former Rangers midfield player Rhys McCabe as trialists against Stranraer with the the former making a cameo substitute appearance. Both may again feature on Saturday.

Despite Ayr United’s 5-2 midweek thumping of Stenhousemuir in a match brought forward to avoid a clash with a major air show at Prestwick this weekend, Dick Campbell’s side remain top of the table on goal difference going into Saturday’s contest.

They showed admirable fighting qualities to pick up a vital point and retain their so far unbeaten league record at Somerset Park last Saturday with on loan Lewis Allan netting his first goal for his ‘adopted’ club, Andrew Black signed on a similar temporary transfer arrangement from his parent club Dundee also making an impressive debut.

Of the four first team squad members sidelined last weekend, only Thomas O’Brien has a chance of making Saturday’s starting eleven, though it will be a late decision on the central defender’s fitness.

Mark Baxter and Gavin Swankie are definitely ruled out through injury, while Kevin Nicoll is unavailable. Kevin will return at Brechin on Saturday week, Mark also hopeful of being back to full fitness for the Glebe Park trip.

On the plus side, Omar Kader will feature in Dick’s plans for the game against the Fifers following his midweek return to the Athies fold after his short stint at Alloa.

Saturday’s match is sponsored by Strathmore Potatoes Ltd.

The man in the middle is the vastly experienced George Salmond.

A reminder to supporters that the 1984 Lounge a the ground will be open from 12.30p.m. to 2.45p.m. and again on the final whistle until approximately 7.30p.m.