Forfar Athletic v Hamilton Accies - Match Preview

Forfar Athletic v Hamilton Accies - Match Preview

The ‘Loons’ entertain Hamilton Accies at the Alpha Projects Stadium @ Station Park on Tuesday evening in the much anticipated first leg William Hill League1 play-off semi final.

For manager Jim Weir it will mean pitting his wits against the club where his own professional playing career began back in 1987 and like his players he is relishing the challenge that lies ahead. The home side go into the contest on a six game unbeaten run, the four victories achieved in the month of April clinching fourth position in the League2 table and with that the final play-off berth.

Jim knows the challenges the match against Accies will bring to his players, the Lanarkshire outfit having won sixteen and drawn seven of their league fixtures, only penalty points sanctions imposed by the SPFL over the course of the campaign resulting in their final second bottom berth in the League1 standings.

The Athies management team know their players will head into the clash in confident mood, but also totally focused on the job in hand. They will know that it is vitally important to take something out of the home leg but Stuart Morrison and his team mates will go into the game with a measured approach and well aware of the task in hand.

Thankfully we head into the play-offs with hopefully a clean bill of health squad wise with Jim confident that Matty Allan will be available having missed the last two games through the injury he sustained in the victory down at Stranraer a couple of weeks back. Jim made seven changes to the starting line up at Annan on Saturday past, but Tuesday night’s starting line-up is sure to be along similar lines to that which brought success for the duration of April month.

Prior to losing 2-1 up at Inverness on Saturday past, Hamilton had also been in good form defeating Peterhead, Montrose and Alloa in successive weeks. Manager Darian MacKinnon stepped up from a coaching role during the course of the season following the departure of John Rankin and he would certainly appear to have brought a level of stability to the playing side of the club. Ollie Shaw now with his seventh senior club is the main striking threat while ‘Loons’ supporters will recognize their substitute keeper Neil Stafford who turned in a few sterling performances deputising for Marc while on loan to the Athies in the first half of the season.

Accies last visited these parts for a League Cup tie in 2022 winning 3-0, their last league visit it would appear though the writer stands to be corrected away back in May of 2004 on a day the visitors clinched promotion.

Jim Weir, his colleagues behind the scenes and the players have been thrilled with the backing they have received throughout the season at home games and all are hopeful the supporters will turn out in numbers despite the midweek slot to play their very important part on Tuesday evening.

Premiership match official Colin Steven is the man in the middle, the first time he has handled a ‘Loons’ fixture this season.

The second leg of the tie will take place at the Accies adopted home this season Broadwood Stadium in Cumbernauld on Saturday first with a 3pm. kick-off.

Tuesday night’s fixture has a 7.45pm. kick-off and admission prices etc are as follows;-

David McGregor Stand
Adults £16
Concessions (65 + over and 14/17 year olds)£10
Under 14’s £5

Terracing
Adults £15
Concessions (as above) £10
Under 14’s £5

FORFAR ATHLETIC SEASON TICKETS ARE NOT VALID FOR THIS FIXTURE

Tickets can be purchased online in advance at the following link - https://shorturl.at/A3z3W

However CASH PAYMENT ONLY turnstiles are also available on the night.

Under 16 FAFC season ticket holders will be admitted on production of their season ticket in first instance, alongside cash payment or utilisation of a pre-purchased match ticket. All other Under 16’s on the night must be accompanied by a paying adult over the age of 18.

1984 Lounge - The Lounge will be open from 6.15pm. till kick-off. It will not re-open after the final whistle on this occasion. All supporters welcome.

Tuesday night’s other play-off first leg fixtures;-
Premiership Quarter Final – Dunfermline Athletic v Arbroath
Championship Semi Finals – Alloa Athletic v Airdrieonians, Queen of the South v Stenhousemuir
League1 Semi Final – Clyde v The Spartans