MATCH PREVIEW: Brechin City v Forfar Athletic

It will in some ways be a case of two ‘wounded animals’ of differing degrees going head to head in the first derby fixture of the season at Glebe Park on Saturday first.
Brechin City go into the game on the back of a seven match losing run in competitive fixtures, while the ‘Loons’ players will still be hurting from the mauling they received last weekend from the ‘Pars.’

Dick Campbell, Rab Douglas apart is hopeful however that he will have the luxury of a full squad to pick from. Skipper Gavin Swankie and Mark Baxter took a full part in Tuesday night’s training session, both having missed the last three competitive fixtures, although their fitness is likely to be monitored until the last possible moment.

Kevin Nicoll will definitely return to the squad having been unavailable for the past two weeks, while Scott Gallacher will take the place of big Rab in goal.

City who appointed former ‘Loons’ stalwart Darren Dods as Player-Manager in June following Ray McKinnon’s departure to pastures new have lost all five league games to date, as well as cup ties against Peterhead and Ayr.

They did however lose a handful of key players in the close season and have been hard hit by injuries into the bargain. Their luck was perhaps best summed up when defender Ross Perry pulled up injured in the warm-up prior to last week’s 1-0 defeat down at Stranraer, where by all accounts keeper Graeme Smith was in fine form.

The Player-Manager apart, City have another three players in their ranks who have graced the Station Park ‘stage.’ James Dale followed Darren on the short sojourn north during the close season, Gary Fusco and Andy Jackson also having the worn the sky blue shirt in the past.
Last season’s two games between the clubs at the Glebe were close run affairs with six goals being shared in November, the visitors edging the March clash by the odd goal in five.
Saturday’s tussle, no doubt keenly anticipated by both sets of fans could well be another close run affair.

Hopefully a fair smattering of the Station Park faithful will make the twelve mile trip to support the ‘Loons’ on the day.

Match referee is Kincardineshire headmaster Mat Northcroft, a familiar figure in recent times to supporters of both clubs.