Forfar Athletic v Nairn County - Preview

The ‘Loons’ entertain Nairn County in the third round of the William Hill Scottish Cup at Station Park on Saturday, the first time they have met Highland League opposition in the national tournament since Forres Mechanics were the visitors in 2009.

Nairn have had a great start to the campaign winning five of their opening seven league fixtures, their current eighth place in the table misleading as they have four games in hand on top of the table Cove who lead them by six points. Away from the league they have recorded successes over Preston Athletic and Clyde to reach this stage of the cup and two weeks back they clinched the North of Scotland Cup with an extra time win over Wick Academy in the final in Inverness.

Former St. Mirren goalkeeper Les Fridge is Nairn’s long serving manager with a team that is a mixture of youth and experience under his control. Striker Connor Gethins, formerly of Ross County and Peterhead, did have a couple of games in a ‘trialist’ role for the ‘Loons’ a few seasons back while other names that will ‘strike a chord’ with the home support will be experienced defender Sean Webb and former Paisley ‘Buddie’ Junior Mendes.

The home side go into the game still hard hit by injury and suspension, sadly the latter ruling out Martin Fotheringham and James Craigen. Hopefully however Gavin Swankie and Barry Sellars will return while Jamie Bishop got a run out in a bounce game for the youth team against Forfar Albion in midweek. Thankfully, unlike Keith Gibson, Odmar Faeroe does not need surgery and in fact could be back in contention for a place on Saturday week, while Charlie King will have a late check on his fitness.

A proposed scouting mission by assistant boss Ian Campbell to watch County in action at Formartine last Saturday was thwarted when the exceptionally early wintry weather saw the game postponed. Manager Dick Campbell has however received a few reports from contacts in the game on the visitors style of play.

Despite recent setbacks he is confident that the eleven who take to the field at 3 pm on Saturday afternoon will be capable of assuring a berth in Monday afternoon’s fourth round draw when all twelve Premier League clubs enter the fray along with the four remaining First Division outfits.

The tie will be handled by second season Grade One referee Euan Anderson who will be making his Station Park debut, although he has been in charge of a ‘Loons’ away league fixture.

Home supporters are reminded that for this season only, as we had no pre-season fixtures at Station Park due to the laying of the new playing surface, season tickets are valid for Scottish Cup ties.  Voucher number eight should be utilised.

This apart normal league admission prices of £13/7 for the stand and £12/6 for the ground will be charged.