Edinburgh City v Forfar Athletic – Match Preview

The Capital City and specifically Meadowbank Stadium is the destination for the ‘Loons’ on Saturday first. After four successive home games since September dawned in both the William Hill League 2 and the KDM Trophy, the month comes to a conclusion with Edinburgh City our away day opponents on match day eight of the league campaign.

Jim Weir and his players go into the game in good heart following wins over the past seven days against Annan Athletic and a relatively strong Aberdeen ‘B’ side, albeit by a single goal margin on both occasions. The management team were particularly delighted to get back to winning ways last Saturday against the Galabank outfit. Jim and Gavin felt it was vitally important following three successive league defeats. The only disappointment was the fact that we only found the net on one occasion, despite a handful of other ‘concrete’ scoring opportunities, including one from the penalty spot. Nevertheless three points was a just reward for the efforts of the players on the day.

Jim and Gavin were also pleased with the result and overall performance against the ‘Dons’ in midweek, the end result securing a passage into the second phase of the tournament with a couple of games to spare. The new format of the KDM Evolution Trophy formerly the Challenge Cup has drawn mixed reactions from certain quarters, but Jim who is delighted with the fact we have qualified for the knock-out stage is all in favour of it as it has given him the opportunity to make changes and allow game time in a competitive mode to squad members who have not been regular first team starters.

Jim cites as a prime example young goalkeeper Neil Stafford who is almost certainly guaranteed six competitive fixtures in the first half of the season and has acquitted himself well. Mind you the manager is also looking forward to an October month which only throws up four competitive games, Saturday’s trip to Edinburgh, match number twenty already in a playing campaign which commenced back in late June.

Looking ahead to Saturday, Jim is well aware that our opponents are in a ‘false’ position in the league table due to circumstances out with their players control and fully realises that it will be no easy task to pick up points at a difficult venue as the Athies found out last season. The ‘Loons’ management team acknowledge that Michael McIndoe’s team pass the ball well and will prove difficult opponents on the day. Jim though is delighted that Jake Dolzanski is fit following the injury he picked up in the Annan fixture, while skipper Stuart Morrison has made a quick recovery after picking a knock in the second half on Tuesday evening. Lewis Martin and Martin Rennie also return to the squad, having simply been rested in midweek, while Harry McLinden our temporary transfer recruit from Queen of the South at the beginning of the week adds depth to the match day squad.

Apart from their impressive league form, Edinburgh City also retained their 100 per cent record in the KDM Trophy with a Wednesday night home win over Celtic’s youngsters. The ‘Citizens’ added around eight new faces in the close season, Robert Mahon signed from Loughgall who play in the second tier of the Irish League the stand out to date with seven goals in the ‘bank.’

It all adds up to potentially an exciting prospect and we can only hope the ‘Loons’ can procure some reward over what will undoubtedly be a tough ninety minutes.

Experienced match official Duncan Williams who handled a couple of ‘Loons’ fixtures last season is the man in the middle for the clash.

The fixture has the usual 3pm. kick-off.

Admission charges as intimated earlier in the week are along similar lines to those levied at the Alpha Projects Stadium @ Station Park. Adult admission is £15, Concessions £10 with Under 12’s admitted for £5.

Tickets can be purchased in advance through Fanbase, see the Edinburgh City website for easy access, but cash and card payments are also accepted at the turnstiles on match day.

Saturday’s other William Hill League2 fixtures;- Annan Athletic v East Kilbride, Dumbarton v Stranraer, Elgin City v The Spartans, Stirling Albion v Clyde