Forfar Athletic v Bonnyrigg Rose – ‘Head to Head’

On Saturday first at the Alpha Projects Stadium @ Station Park, Forfar Athletic and Bonnyrigg Rose will play one of, if not the most important games in their recent history.

The ‘Loons’ go into the William Hill league2 clash seven points ahead of their visitors in the league table on what is the third last weekend of the campaign. A win or at worst a draw for the home side will secure their survival as an SPFL club and also mean a continuance of their existence as an SFL/SPFL club that began away back in 1921, some thirty-six years after the club’s formation. As for the visitors nothing but a victory at the end of what is sure to be a tense ninety minutes will suffice or they will be destined to meet the winners of the Pyramid Play-off between East Kilbride and Brora Rangers on the 10th and 17th of May.

Of course both sides have two games left to play following Saturday’s contest, the Athies due to visit Edinburgh City and host Stirling Albion, Rose who were of course given a six point penalty earlier in the season by the SPFL board due to club licensing issues entertain Spartans in a local derby prior to heading to Stranraer on the 3rd of May.

As far as the head to head in clashes between the sides is concerned, it could not be tighter, mainly it has to be said down to the ‘Loons’ record against the Midlothian outfit this season. Of eleven games played, both sides have won four with the spoils shared on the other three occasions.

Bonnyrigg at the time managed by former Forfar Athletic captain Robbie Horn gained SPFL status in May, 2022 when having clinched the Lowland League title, they defeated Cowdenbeath in the Division Two Play-off decider. The ‘Loons’ were to turn out to be their first ever League2 opponents on a sunny late July afternoon at New Dundas Park, the home side deservedly winning 2-0 on the day. In fact in that first season at the higher level for the Midlothian outfit, Forfar Athletic failed to ‘lower their colours.’ Two 1-1 draws followed that opening day joust, before the visitors triumphed 1-0 at Station Park in April of 2023.

Last season the visitors again came out on top in an early season visit to the ‘toonie’ recording a 2-1 success, but the ‘Loons’ finally ‘broke their duck’ as far as wins go with a hard fought November triumph by a 2-0 score line on ‘foreign soil.’ A goalless draw followed in Angus, before on the last day of the season, Ray McKinnon’s side produced a dire performance in front of a reasonable travelling support, losing 4-0 and it could have been more!

This season though has to date been a different story. A Bradley Rodden counter early in the second period secured all three points at Bonnyrigg in late September. Then in mid December on home ‘turf’ Forfar romped to a 5-1 win, the only occasion in fact that we have scored more than two goals in a league game this term. Goals from Josh Skelly and Matty Allan gave the home eleven a 2-0 half time lead. Russell McLean then proceeded to net a second half hat trick, his second three goal cameo in successive cup and league fixtures to seal an amazing victory, this after visiting boss Calum Elliott had made five half-time substitutions! Then just a couple of months back a wonder strike from Reuben McAllister and an own goal from Kieran Somerville saw Jim Weir’s side head home with a 2-1 win under their belts.

What does this Saturday hold in store for both sides? All will be revealed come 5pm. on what will undoubtedly be a nerve jangling afternoon for all on both sides of the fence as they say.

A reminder that admission charges on Saturday are as follows;-

Stand – Adults £16, Concessions (65 & over) £10, Under 17’s £1
Ground – Adults £15, Concessions £10, Under 17’s £1

Tickets are available for online sale now, here – https://forfarathletic.ticketco.events/uk/en/m/e/forfar_athletic_v_bonnyrigg_rose_athletic_0425

A full preview of the fixture will appear on FAFC social media channels on Friday.