Forfar Athletic v Arbroath - Match Preview

Tomorrow’s local derby at Station Park could be one of the most vital fixtures remaining in the season in the context of play-off qualification.

The ‘Loons’ and the ‘Lichties’ go into the game on the same 39 point mark, although Dick Campbell’s side do have a game in hand on their Angus rivals.

However, Paul Sheerin’s side have had the upper hand so far in fixtures between the two teams this term, recording two wins and two draws. The home side won a Ramsdens Cup tie by the odd goal in five down at Gayfield in August, before the sides shared the spoils in a 1-1 draw at the same venue a month later, Forfar ending that game with only nine men. A last gasp equaliser rescued a point for the visitors at Station Park in December, before Arbroath ran out comfortable 3-1 winners at the seaside in January.

The home side will go into tomorrow’s game without the suspended Michael Bolochoweckyj and Dale Hilson as well as long term injury victim Keith Gibson who is ruled out for the remainder of the season. Odmar Faeroe fresh from World Cup duty with the Faroe Islands returns to bolster the squad.

The home defence will be wary as ever of visiting striker Steven Doris and Arbroath, who like Forfar were inactive last Saturday, go into the game on the back of a 1-1 draw with leaders Queen of the South and a 1-0 away success against East Fife.

The weather forecast would appear to be more settled thankfully and home officials will be hoping for a reasonable turn out from both sets of fans.

The match is sponsored by club sponsors Orchard Timber Products and will be refereed by Dunbartonshire official Euan Anderson who was at Station Park earlier in the campaign for the Nairn County cup-tie.