Forfar Athletic v Partick Thistle – Match Preview

Saturday sees forty clubs battle it out in the third round proper of the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup and there is little doubt that Jim Weir and his squad have one of the hardest tasks of the day as they welcome Partick Thistle to the Alpha Projects Stadium @ Station Park.

Jim is nevertheless looking forward with keen anticipation to the tie. As the manager commented ‘there is always an air of excitement about the place in the run up to a cup weekend, especially when it involves a fixture of this magnitude for all concerned’.

Jim acknowledges there was a real buzz at Thursday night’s training session and the players it would appear as a whole just cannot wait for that first whistle at 3pm. on Saturday afternoon. It will obviously be a massive test for the in form home side who go into the contest on the back of a four game unbeaten run which has also seen three away victories recorded, two in emphatic style.

Jim obviously took the opportunity on Tuesday past to journey through to Firhill to watch the ‘Jags’ in action against the ‘Pars’ and admits he was impressed with the all round performance of Mark Wilson’s side in their 1-0 victory, noting also the individual talents possessed by more than a few of the Partick squad.

A big test awaits Stuart Morrison and his colleagues, but they have little to lose as they strive for that financially lucrative berth in round four scheduled for mid January. As underdogs on the day, they will undoubtedly go into the game in a more relaxed and positive frame of mind than when the ‘boot was on the other foot’ at Musselburgh in the previous round.

This time round despite the unavailability of a couple of key members of the squad they go into the clash with a much more settled feel to the starting line-up and an air of confidence that stretches down to the youngest fan, especially on the back of the goal scoring feats on the road over the past two Saturdays which has been such a welcome boost. On the player availability front, disappointingly Craig Slater is again ruled out through injury as is young Cormack Christie, while it looks unlikely that Scott Bright will be given permission to play from his parent club St. Johnstone. Good news however as Marc McCallum returned to training this week and could be on the bench as back up to Neil Stafford for the tie.

Partick go into the game on the back of two home wins against St. Johnstone and Dunfermline Athletic in the past seven days that have seen them move level with the Perth Saints at the top of the Championship table. Daniel O’Reilly and Tony Watt were their scorers against the McDiarmid Park outfit, Aiden Fitzpatrick their midweek marksman. Cameron Logan who had an impressive campaign last term in the ‘Loons’ colours is of course a member of the Thistle squad though he has had to settle for a substitute role in recent weeks.

From advance ticket sales it looks likely that the visitors could well be backed by a 500 plus travelling support, Jim and his players hoping that the home support to will turn out in large numbers to continue to lend their backing which to be fair has rarely wavered since the return of Jim and Gavin to the club just over a year ago.

Iain Snedden is the man in the middle for Partick’s visit. It will be the second time this season that he will have refereed a major cup tie at Forfar as he was also in charge of the local derby in the Premier Sports Cup against Arbroath, a match the home side won by the only goal of the game.

The match on Saturday is sponsored by those superb supporters of the ‘Loons’ cause over many a year, the Davie family of Alan Davie Transport Ltd, while we welcome back a group of Forfar Bowling Club members and Keith Thomson & Friends to the delights of the Station Park Hospitality Experience.

Twenty third round ties will take place over the weekend with the three other Angus senior outfits also in action. Arbroath head to Methil for a reunion with Dick Campbell and what will be no easy task against East Fife, Montrose are on their travels to New Tinto Park in Govan to face Benburb while Brechin City get a break from their Highland travels with a trip to Kelty, evoking memories of their fateful pyramid play-off defeat back in the spring of 2021.

A reminder of admission charges, segregation arrangements etc for Thistle’s visit are listed below;

David McGregor Stand - Unreserved seating
Adults - £16
Concessions (65 & over) - £10
Under 17’s £5

Terracing
Adults £15
Concessions (65 & over) - £10
Under 17’s - £5

The match has the usual 3pm. kick-off. Should the scores be level at the conclusion of the ninety minutes, thirty minutes extra-time will be played, a penalty shoot-out to follow if necessary.

A reminder that Forfar Athletic season tickets are not valid for Cup fixtures.

Forfar Athletic supporters can purchase tickets in advance of the kick-off which would be the preferred method at the following link;- https://forfarathletic.ticketco.events/uk/en/m/e/forfar_athletic_v_partick_thistle__home_support_only

A CASH payment turnstile will also be available to HOME supporters only on match day

Partick Thistle supporters should note that admission for the AWAY supporters section of both the stand and terracing will be now be STRICTLY ALL TICKET. No cash turnstile facility will be available on the day.

The link for ‘Jags’ supporters to utilise in regard to ticket purchase is;- https://forfarathletic.ticketco.events/uk/en/m/e/forfar_athletic_v_partick_thistle__away_support_only

At the request of the authorities segregation will be enforced at this fixture.

Home support as is normal on these occasions will enter the stand at the east stand turnstile, while terracing entry will be through the main turnstile block in Carseview Road.
FAFC supporters will occupy the east half of the stand, the east terracing, the north terracing up to the halfway line and the east half of the Parkgrove South Enclosure.

Away support will enter the stand at the west stand turnstile, while terracing entry will be though the turnstile block at the north west corner of the ground. Access through pathway from Market Muir or alternatively round rear of main stand and at the far end of the hospitality block. Partick Thistle supporters will occupy the west half of the stand, the west terracing and the west half of the Parkgrove South Enclosure.

Turnstiles will be open 2.15pm. prompt.

Car parking in Market Muir at top of John Street as well as local on street parking. Please do not block driveways etc.

Refreshment Kiosks will be available in both sections of the ground. Club Shop open as normal.

The 1984 Lounge at the ground which will incorporate the Sam Smith Lounge on the day will be open as usual from 12.30pm. to 2.45pm. and on the final whistle until approximately 8pm. It will not be open during the half time interval.