MATCH PREVIEW: Forfar Athletic v Ayr United

After a three week break, Ladbrokes League 1 action returns to Station Park and what an appetising fixture it is with the visit of league leaders Ayr United.

The ‘Honest Men’ have reached the league’s pinnacle courtesy of an eight game unbeaten run, their only defeat on the opening day back on August 8th when they came up short away to Albion Rovers.

During that run since then, only the ‘Loons’ and Peterhead have managed to halt the winning streak, both scoring late goals to secure a share of the points.

In Forfar’s case back on August 29th at Somerset Park, Lewis Allan had given them a 25th minute lead, Craig Moore netting the equaliser for the home side on the stroke of half-time. Alan Forrest then put Ayr in front 13 minutes into the second period, before Michael Travis in an almighty goalmouth stramash netted the equaliser deep into injury time.

Ian McCall who took over the managerial reins at Somerset in January of this year brought in ten new players this term after their last day escape from a relegation play-off spot in early May, including Gerry McLauchlan and Alan Trouten from our near neighbours Brechin City.
United of course clinched the retention of their League 1 status with a dramatic 3-1 win over the ‘Loons’ at Station Park in front of an incredible crowd of over 1,900 on May 2nd.

In their last league outing two weeks back they thumped Cowdenbeath 5-0 at home, with five different players finding the back of the Fifers net.

The home side go into the game having not won a league game since September 12th, but there were signs at Peterhead a fortnight ago that the ‘tide was turning.’

Dick Campbell will also be able to welcome back Danny Denholm who played over an hour of the Development match on Tuesday past and Chris Templeman to his squad after injury ruled them out of the Balmoor clash.

Derek Young remains side lined, while Michael Dunlop is a doubt with a knock picked up on Tuesday evening.
Rab Douglas is fit, but it is likely that Scott Gallacher whose temporary transfer from Hearts ends this weekend will continue to wear the green jersey.

A fair number of Dick’s squad got valuable game time in a friendly at Links Park last Friday and they will be eager to get back to winning ways at the start of a spell of four games with three of them to be fought out on home soil.

The man in the middle will be Glasgow based highly rated second season Grade One official Nick Walsh.

The joint match sponsors are W.F. Barker Ltd and Greenvale Trading Ltd.

Admission prices are the normal £13/7 for the stand, £12/6 for the terracing.

Forfar Athletic season ticket holders should utilise voucher 12.

A reminder that the 1984 Lounge at the ground, situated at the west end of the main stand will be open from 12.30p.m. to 2.45p.m. and again on the final whistle until approximately 7.30p..m.

Taking their lofty league position into account, Ayr are likely to bring a reasonable travelling support with them on the journey north, but hopefully home supporters whose backing this term both in numbers and volume has been excellent will turn out in force.