MATCH PREVIEW: Forfar Athletic v Stirling Albion
[Thursday, 11 December 2014 16:00]
Forfar Athletic will entertain bottom of the table Stirling Albion in the first of three home games in four weeks keen to maintain an unbeaten league run at Station Park which including the final game of last season now extends to eight games.
Dick Campbell will hopefully go into the contest with a full pool to choose from though defender Jim Paterson did pick up a knock late in proceedings in last Saturday’s victory at Ochilview which saw the ‘Loons’ move back to top spot in the SPFL League One table. An unchanged side is the likely outcome however with Michael Travis who can only figure in one more game as a trialist likely to be kept in reserve for another day. A few of the fringe players including Chris Templeman who netted an early goal got a run out in a Development League fixture on Tuesday past.
The visitors sit on eight points and have failed to win a league game since late August. However they gave a sterling performance last month to defeat junior ‘cracks’ Hurlford United in a penalty shoot-out in the cup, before being slightly unlucky not to at least get a replay against Raith Rovers in round four.
Former player Stuart McLaren has returned to the club from south of the border to take over the managerial reins from Greig McDonald and he has been encouraged by all accounts by those recent showings.
When the sides met at Forthbank in September, goals from Omar Kader and Gavin Swankie gave the visitors a 2-0 lead, but two late goals from super sub Sandy Cunningham saw the spoils shared.
Despite the wintry weather this week, Forfar officials will be hoping that the recent trend of a slightly increased home support will continue for what is the visitors first visit to Station Park since the spring of 2012 when Forfar triumphed by the odd goal in seven.
The referee is Edinburgh based Gavin Ross who is in his first full season on the Grade One list and who has a busy weekend ahead. He is also the fourth official at Celtic Park on Sunday afternoon for St. Mirren’s visit.
The match is sponsored by Gordon Dobbie Heating & Plumbing Ltd. from Kirriemuir.
Ground admission prices are £12 for adults, £6 concessions, with stand prices set at £13/£7.
Forfar Athletic season ticket holders should utilise voucher 13.
A reminder that the 1984 Lounge at the ground will be open for business from 12.30p.m. and again straight after the final whistle. Why not enjoy either a pre-match refreshment with your fellow supporters or pop in after the game and ‘warm up’ while watching the final scores and match reports come in on the wide screen television in the premises.