Forfar Athletic v Stenhousemuir - Match Preview

Both the ‘Loons’ and the ‘Warriors’ will go into Saturday’s Irn Bru League Division Two fixture at Station Park on a high following cup replay successes over the past week, in both instances after they had drawn the home fixture.

While Forfar won by the odd goal in five up at Nairn last Saturday, Martyn Corrigan’s men triumphed 5-2 at Berwick on Tuesday night with on form strikers John Gemmill and Stewart Kean both netting braces. As far as Gemmill was concerned it brought his personal tally for the season to thirteen, the former Queens Park and Albion Rovers striker having been a summer target for Dick Campbell as well as near neighbours Brechin.

The home side will have a larger pool than has been the case in recent week’s to choose from with James Craigen, whose loan was extended earlier in the week, free from suspension and likely to make his home debut, Omar Kader back in contention and Jamie Bishop on the bench last week now back in full training. Still missing of course are Keith Gibson and Odmar Faeroe who have both had surgery earlier in the month and have set themselves a target of a December return to action.

Danny Denholm and Steven Tulloch may face late fitness checks but both are hopeful of being fit, for a game which will also see Greg Ross return to Station Park in the maroon of the visitors.

This is the first of an important run of four games in Angus in fifteen days for the home side, the fixture with the Ochilview outfit being followed by a vist from league leaders Queen of the South on Tuesday evening, prior to a short trip to Glebe Park on Saturday week.

Ayr United are then the visitors on cup duty on the 1st of December, Stenhousemuir on the same day having a mouth watering local derby against Falkirk.

Earlier in the season, the ‘Loons’ turned in an excellent performance to win 4-0 at Ochilview, Stephen Tulloch, Danny Denholm, Chris Templeman and Iain Campbell from the penalty spot the marksmen.

Saturday’s match sponsored by Alan Davie Transport will be refereed by second season Grade One official Barry Cook making his second visit of the season to Station Park.