Forfar Athletic v Queen of the South - Match Preview

The ‘Loons’ go into tomorrow’s game with their destiny as far as play-off qualification is concerned in their own hands with a two point lead over fifth placed neighbours Arbroath, both sides having three games remaining. Dick Campbell’s ‘troops’ on paper do perhaps just have the slightly more difficult run in.

That begins with Saturday’s visit of Queen of the South. Under the guidance of Alan Johnston and Sandy Clark, the ‘Doonhamers’ raced to the Second Division title, clinching it at Station Pork last month when Brechin City were utilising the ground as their temporary ‘home.’ Since then they have won the Ramsdens Cup in a penalty shoot out after a gripping two hour battle with Partick in the a sell out final at Livingston.

However on Tuesday night, perhaps with the’ foot off the gas’ ever so slightly’ they lost only their fourth competitive game of the season when they stumbled at Ochilview losing 2-1 to Stenhousemuir.

Queens travel to Forfar with Gretna’s record points tally of 88 in a season in their sights and of course they have already triumphed in the previous three encounters with the home side.

However there is no doubt that Mark McCulloch and his colleagues will be up for the task. Following three wins in a week they lost out by the only goal of the game at Alloa last Saturday in a highly competitive contest, the loss of what turned out to be the only goal of the game in the opening seconds of the second period, seemingly a blow from which the lads never really recovered.

Apart from the long term injuries, Stephen Tulloch is ruled out with a groin strain and Martyn Fotheringham is a doubt. However all connected with the ‘Loons’ will be hoping that the goal scoring exploits of the last three home games and the fixture up at the Glebe will return after last week’s blank.

It would be great if the Chairman’s previous plea for a few extra fans to turn out to support the side in their final two home games ‘bears fruit.’ We live in hope at the end of another turbulent week off the park for Scottish football.

The match will be sponsored by Raymond Simpson and his mates from the Red Lion in Longwick in Buckinghamshire who will be making the near 1,000 mile round trip not for the first time to give the ‘Loons’ their support.

The man in the middle is Ayrshire based former Scotland international sprinter Des Roache who was also the man in the middle at Brechin a week past Tuesday.