Forfar Athletic v Brechin City - match preview

The footballing year of 2013 is set to start with a bang at Station Park on Wednesday with Brechin City the most welcome of ‘first foots’ for a local derby which hopefully will be ninety minutes to remember.

Ray McKinnon’s side make the short journey to Station Park sitting only one point behind the home side in fourth place in the league table with a game in hand.

In fact since McKinnon took over the Glebe Park reins, they have suffered only two defeats to Queen of the South at Palmerston in the league and to St. Mirren in the cup.

Over the Christmas period they have triumphed 3-2 at home to Arbroath and 2-0 down at Stranraer prior to enduing a near six hour journey home due to the A77 being closed due to an accident.

The ‘Loons’ will go into the game in great heart following their comeback from being two down to East Fife on Saturday past and in truth by the end the 3-2 score line in the home side’s favour flattered the Fifers.

Forfar Manager Dick Campbell has a slight doubt about the fitness of Martyn Fotheringham, but was delighted that long term injury absentee Odmar Faeroe played in a hastily arranged friendly against Lochee United at Station Park on Hogmanay morning which the home side won 3-1.

Derek Soutar also returned to action in this game.

Forfar won the opening joust of the season between the sides 1-0 at Station Park before going down 4-1 just six weeks back at the Glebe.

The weather forecast for the 2nd is for a fairly mild day which hopefully as is often the case will encourage supporters to make the trip along to Station Park and enter the holiday spirit at the game.

A crowd figure of around the 900 mark would be a great encouragement to both sides.

The match is sponsored by Ferguson Oliver Ltd.

The referee for the game, which has the normal 3 pm kick off, is the vastly experienced Mike Tumilty.