MATCH PREVIEW: Forfar Athletic v Stranraer

Forfar Athletic’s players will be hoping to bounce straight back from last Saturday’s disappointing display and eventual defeat at Cowdenbeath when Stranraer are the visitors to Station Park on Saturday.

Following on that defeat, a fair number of the ‘Loons’ squad had the opportunity to ‘brush off the cobwebs’ in Tuesday night’s highly entertaining Forfarshire Cup Final, a match in which for example skipper Gavin Swankie got a vital ninety minutes of action in his attempt to regain full match fitness.

Derek Young remains a doubt for the home side following the injury he sustained at Glebe Park two weeks back, while Rab Douglas is again an absenteee, but the rest of the twenty man squad are ready and raring to go.

Whether Dick Campbell is contemplating changes after the Central Park reverse is a matter for conjecture, but which ever eleven get the nod to start the fixture will without doubt be keen to record the third home league success of the campaign.

Three welcome points would also see the home side maintain their current challenge to pre-season bookies favourites Ayr United and Dunfermline Athletic who moved into the top two positions following last Saturday’s results.

Stephen Aitken moved out of the Stranraer manager’s post at the end of last season to take up the reins at Dumbarton, his replacement former Rangers central defender and Ayr United manager Brian Reid who has Lee Mair as his right hand man. To date following defeats in the two early season cup competitions from Queen of the South and Hibernian, no disgrace there, Brian’s fairly new look side have recorded just two wins in league fixtures against Cowdenbeath on the opening day and at home to Brechin City three weeks back.

Last week they went down 1-0 at home to Albion Rovers.

The dangerous strike partnership of Jamie Longworth and Craig Malcolm are still together at Stair Park and will no doubt as ever prove a handful for the home back four.

Last season, honours were shared between the sides in the four league fixtures with a win apiece and two draws. Stranraer pipped the ‘Loons’ to the second spot on the season’s final day, but of course the Station Park men came out on top in the two legged Play-Off semi final. A 1-1 draw down in the south west in the second leg, following a 3-0 win at Station Park saw Forfar reach the final and as the say the rest is history!

A close fought affair is certainly on the cards for Saturday and hopefully the increase in attendance figures so far this season will be maintained.

The match sponsor on Saturday is locally based RTG First Aid Ltd.

The man in the middle is second season Grade One official Colin Steven.

Admission prices for the stand are adults £13, concessions £7 with £12/6 for the terracing.

‘Loons’ season ticket holders should utilise voucher 11.

A reminder that as always the 1984 Lounge a the ground will be open from 12.30p.m. till kick-off and again on the final whistle till approximately 7.30p.m.

All supporters welcome.