Annan Athletic v Forfar Athletic – Match Preview

The ‘Loons’ make the lengthy trip south tomorrow to Annan for their opening fixture in the Premier Sports Cup, still known to many traditionalists in the game as the good old League Cup.

Jim Weir heads south in good heart after what the manager rates as a reasonable pre-season group of four fixtures with all nineteen signed players getting vital game time in their legs on the back of a handful of full on training sessions. That quartet of fixtures culminated in a very encouraging performance against St. Johnstone last weekend in what was a hard fought ninety minutes, certainly as far as ‘friendly’ outings go.

The Station Park management team are happy with the balance of their new look squad with Lewis Lorimer the latest addition, but do not rule out a further signing or two if finance can be procured. On paper it would certainly appear to the supporters that we are in a much better place this time round in mid July than has been the case on many an occasion in recent times, but only time will tell whether that assertion proves well founded?

Disappointingly Ross MacLean who had looked in great shape in pre-season will sit out tomorrow’s opener following the foot injury he picked up in the second half clash with Saints custodian Ross Sinclair last Saturday. This season in the group stages as an experiment two trialists can be fielded and it looks as if the Athies may have to take advantage of this ruling as regards a second keeper, their hopes of getting a young back up custodian on loan and on board prior to kick-off being held up at the moment by registration difficulties out with Forfar’s control. However the rest of the squad are fit and raring to go, with Jim keeping his thoughts on his first starting line-up under wraps at this stage.

Jim who is beginning his first full season of his second spell in charge of the ‘Loons’ admits a fair bit of work is still required in the ‘fine tuning’ department and along with Gavin is looking forward in the first instance to seeing how the players shape up against an Annan side relegated from League1 last season and almost certain to be in a challenging position as the league campaign moves along. The manager also admits that the task of playing three sides from higher echelons two of them full-time outfits as the group stage evolves will be a real test that he is looking forward prior to the visit of Stranraer on August 2nd as the league campaign gets underway.

Annan managed by Willie Gibson a forward of some pedigree at the peak of his own playing career lost out in the play-off final to East Fife in mid May bringing to an end a two year sting in the third tier of the SPFL. Like all clubs they have been busy on and off the park in close season, three pre-season clashes bringing a mixed bag of results. The Galabank outfit lost 2-0 to Queens Park, before a 3-1 defeat from Morton, winning by a similar score line in a local derby joust with Gretna.

All of a ‘Loons’ persuasion will be hoping that we can we can get off to a winning start to the campaign on what is sure to be testing conditions with near thirty degree temperatures forecast for the Dumfriesshire region.

The man in the middle on Saturday is Jamie Wilkie who will not only be handling a Forfar Athletic fixture for the first time but will be making his SPFL refereeing debut.

As has been the case in League Cup sectional ties for some years a winning team within the normal ninety minutes of play will receive three points, the losers zero points. If the scores are level at the end of ninety minutes both sides receive one point. However a penalty shoot-out under normal FIFA rules will then take place with the winning side receiving a bonus point.

The other fixture in the ‘Loons’ group tomorrow takes place at Gayfield where Arbroath welcome St. Mirren, Ayr United the odd team out of the five on the opening day.

The ‘Buddies’ make their second trip to Angus in quick succession on Tuesday evening of next week when Stephen Robinson’s side will be the visitors to the Alpha Projects Stadium @ Station Park.

Admission charges tomorrow will be as follows;-

Stand
Adults £18
Concessions £14
12/16 year olds £7
Under 12’s £3

Terracing
Adults £16
Concessions £12
12/16 year olds £6
Under 12’s £3

The match will have the normal 3pm. kick-off.

It is strongly recommended that all fans pre-purchase their tickets before the commencement of the match. This can be done at https://app.fanbaseclub.com/Fan/Dashboard?clubId=42

All entry will be via the HOME turnstiles adjacent to the Clubhouse. Turnstile 4 has been set aside for away supporters with digital tickets. Turnstile 2 will be in use as a limited cash gate. Please do not try and enter the ground via the Away turnstiles 5 and 6 as no access can be gained to the Ground from those turnstiles. Turnstiles will be open for spectator entry from 14:15 hrs.

Catering outlet and toilets will be available for use in the home concourse behind the covered terracing at the South end of the ground.

‘Loons’ supporters heading to the fixture will be made most welcome as ever in the Social Club situated adjacent to the ground, open from 12pm.