Montrose v Forfar Athletic – Match Preview

The ‘Loons’ play their second of six group phase fixtures in the revamped KDM Evolution Trophy at Links Park tomorrow night.

Both Montrose and Forfar Athletic go into the game on the back of league defeats on Saturday past to Spartans and Inverness Caledonian Thistle. However as they did in the opening ties two weeks back both Jim Weir and Stewart Petrie are likely to shuffle the playing pack for a match which will have local bragging rights as well as three points at stake.

The ‘Loons’ manager was disappointed to lose out by the only goal in Edinburgh on Saturday but he is looking forward to the Links Park clash. Jim first and foremost sees the early stages of the former Challenge Cup as do many other League One and Two bosses as an ideal opportunity to give valuable and competitive game time to his squad players. However points accumulation is as always a vital commodity, especially with the financial rewards up for grabs this season thanks to the generosity of the tournament sponsors.

Both sides won their opening games two weeks back. A Jamie Richardson first half counter secured the points for the Athies against Hibernian ‘B’ in a hard fought ninety minutes at the Alpha Projects Stadium @ Station Park, teenage keeper Neil Stafford the undoubted Man of the Match following a string of excellent saves. Montrose on the other hand had a comfortable 5-2 home win over Dundee’s youngsters, in fact they were five up at the break, Ewan Loudon and Callum Sandilands netting braces.

In the aftermath of Saturday’s game Jim Weir gave a strong hint that all eight of the listed substitutes against Spartans would be in Tuesday night’s starting eleven, so former Montrose stalwarts Matty Allan and Mark Whatley are likely to be joined by Neil Stafford, Kieran Inglis, Nathan Cannon, MacKenzie Lemon, Jamie Richardson and Jake Sutherland along with the possibility of at least one ‘trialist.’

Victory on the night will still however be the aim, prior to home fixtures on September 6th and 23rd against Dundee and Aberdeen’s Under 21 sides as the tournament progresses.

The referee for the derby clash is Gary Hanvidge.

Kick-off is scheduled for 7.45pm.

Admission prices for the fixture have been reduced to £10 for adults, £5 concessions.

Tickets can be purchased online in advance through the MFC website - https://montrosefc.co.uk/tickets

They will however also be available prior to kick-off from the ticket office at Links Park.

Montrose FC have decided that segregation will be enforced at the fixture. Both home and away fans will approach the stadium as normal via Wellington Street. ‘Loons’ supporters should then make their way around the back of the Brian Keith Stand and enter by the turnstiles located at the East End of Links Park adjacent to Union Street. Forfar Athletic fans who wish to take up the option of a stand seat should sit in section ‘A’.