Alloa Athletic v Forfar Athletic - Match Preview

The ‘Loons’ go into tomorrow’s fixture against second in the table Alloa Athletic at Recreation Park in the farcical position of not knowing which position in the league they have to finish in to qualify for the end of season play-offs. This with only four games of the league campaign remaining.

If re-construction becomes a reality for the 2013/14 season following crucial votes on Monday and Friday of next week, then fifth place in the table will suffice. If it does not then a fourth place will be required before Dick Campbell’s men will be in action at Station Park in a semi final first-leg on Wednesday May 8th.

The visitors will head to Clackmannanshire tomorrow in what is an attempt to take their first point of the season in contests against Paul Hartley’s side. Despite a brace from Danny Denholm, the ‘Wasps’ ran out 3-2 winners at Station Park in October, Alloa, winning by the odd goal in three at home on the Saturday before Christmas. Then in February at Station Park it was the visitors who won an intense contest thank to the only goal of the game in the closing minute.

The Recreation Park side, with a squad which has a real mix of experience and youth, currently sit comfortably in second spot ten points ahead of Forfar, but nevertheless twenty four points adrift of runaway leaders Queen of the South. They have had away successes over the past two weeks at Stranraer and Ayr following a rare three match winless run.

The Station Park squad will go into the match high on confidence thanks to three wins on the trot in the space of eight days culminating in Tuesday night’s 4-3 win at Glebe Park, a match which was a superb advert for football at SFL second tier level.

They are likely to be minus the injured central defensive due of Stephen Tulloch and Odmar Faroe who picked up knocks during the East Fife and Brechin games respectively. However ‘Loons’ officials got real boost when Dale Hilson reported fully fit at training on Thursday night after he had limped off with twenty minutes of the victory over City remaining, this after the on loan Dundee United youngster had hit a stunning opening goal. Amazingly Dale’s effort was probably eclipsed by Gavin Swankie’s strike for number four on the night.

Ross Campbell is also now back to full fitness after illness.

Hopefully quite a few ‘Loons’ fans will make the sixty mile journey to the central belt to support the team in a match which will be refereed by Alan Muir a regular on the Premier League circuit for many years.