MATCH PREVIEW: Ayr United v Forfar Athletic
[Thursday, 26 February 2015 22:53]
The ‘Loons’ will travel west on Saturday at the start of a three game spell in ten days, that will also see them make the trek to Greenock and Peterhead.
These could well be three games that define their season, as all connected at Station Park hope that Dick and the players can keep in touch with Morton, Stranraer and their ‘on fire’ neighbours Brechin City at the top of the table. It certainly looks like being a thrilling finale to the league campaign, as Dunfermline, Peterhead and Airdrie certainly cannot be discounted either from the equation.
Forfar will without doubt be on much the same lines as last week, although the ‘boss’ may just consider a small tweak to the starting line up.
Gavin Malin will return to the squad, having served his one match ban, while of course Aaron James, an unused substitute against the ‘Pars’ has been released.
A bonus for the backroom staff was Mark Baxter’s return to action in the Development League fixture on Tuesday past.
Since Ian McColl has taken over the reins at Somerset Park from Mark Roberts, he has been busy re-building his squad bringing in around six new faces including former Dundee United and St. Johnstone midfield player David Robertson from Livingston.
The latest recruit who made his debut in last week’s 2-0 defeat up at Peterhead was young defender Scott McKenna on loan from Aberdeen. Scott who hails from Kirriemuir is the son of former ‘Loons’ striker Ian.
Tricky front man Alan Forrest side lined with illness last Saturday is also likely to return.
Both sides have recorded 2-0 wins in the two fixtures between them to date this campaign. Two late goals from Scott McLaughlin who moved to Clyde in the recent ‘window’ secured the points for the ‘Honest Men’ at Ayr in August. Three months later, a stunning strike from Scott Smith and a second half counter from Omar Kader clinched the win for the ‘Loons’ on home soil.
Hopefully a few ‘Loons’ fans will make the 260 mile round trip to back Gavin and the lads on Saturday, following on from last week’s impressive performance.
The man in the middle is experienced Premier League whistler Stephen Finnie.