Stranraer v Forfar Athletic – Match Preview

The ‘Loons’ continue their travels of recent times when they head for Stranraer on Saturday to face in all probability the in form team in the William Hill league2 at present. Chris Aitken’s side have recorded four wins and a draw in their last six outings, their only defeat coming just over two weeks back when Jim Weir’s side recorded a 2-1 midweek victory at Stair Park.

In fact those two counters were the only goals that Stranraer have conceded in that recent run culminating in a very impressive 3-0 win over league leaders East Fife at Bayview last weekend. ‘High flying’ Deryn Lang, surely the only trainee pilot in the SPFL netted a brace in that success.

‘Loons’ manager Jim Weir though accepting it will be another tough task for his side sees no reason why they cannot gain some reward from the fixture. Obviously the players will have to put last Saturday’s disappointing performance behind them as they try to extend their unbeaten away league record to five games, which would be an impressive achievement in itself.

Jim will emphasise to the players that they must go into the fixture totally focused on their own performance and play in a collective and confident manner similar to those recent quartet of games at Spartans, Bonnyrigg, Stranraer and Elgin.

Thankfully the Athies match day squad is boosted by the return from injury of Nathan Cannon, Marley Sweenie-Rowe and Russell McLean. Mackenzie Lemon though free of suspension has picked up a knock in training which will rule him out.

With Clyde and Bonnyrigg Rose due to clash at Douglas Park tomorrow, any reward points wise from the trip to the south west gained by Stuart Morrison and his team mates could indeed prove vital come early May month.

For the ‘Loons’ two on paper exciting home fixtures await, with Peterhead and East Fife due to come calling over the next couple of weekends.

The man in the middle at Stair Park is Sean Murdoch, the former senior goalkeeper in a previous life handling a Forfar fixture for the fourth time this season.

Admission prices at Stair Park are as follows;-
Adults £15
Over 65’s £10
5/16 year olds £5

Tomorrow’s other William Hill League2 fixtures;-Clyde v Bonnyrigg Rose, Edinburgh City v East Fife, Spartans v Elgin City, Stirling Albion v Peterhead