Forfar Athletic v Hibernian
Scottish Gas Scottish Cup 4th Round
Alpha Projects @ Station Park
Saturday 20th January – ko 3p.m.
MATCH PREVIEW
As has been well documented the paths of Forfar Athletic and the 2016 winners of the competition Hibernian will cross in the Scottish Cup on Saturday for astonishingly the first time in 53 years.
Naturally after what has been a difficult first half of the season, all connected with the ‘Loons’ are looking forward to the occasion.
This is especially true when one considers that we were within thirty seconds of exiting the tournament in the second round up at Huntly until that dramatic 96th minute equaliser, three extra time goals clinching a third round trip to Lowland League Tranent and with it a solitary goal success.
On the back of a well deserved but nevertheless nervy victory over Elgin City on home ‘soil’ last Saturday, Ray McKinnon is relishing the change of environment on Saturday and the challenge that facing up to the side currently sitting sixth in the cinch premiership will bring.
Ray commented “Obviously we will pay Hibernian the respect they deserve, but it is a special occasion for the club and in particular the players who will have the chance to showcase their abilities in front of a crowd which will be significantly bigger than they are used to week by week.”
Ray like the Athies officials though accepting the home support will be well outnumbered by the visiting ‘army’ of fans is nevertheless delighted with the response of the local community with ticket sales around three times the league match average.
On the player front for the game, last weekend’s two goal debutant Russell McLean is ineligible as he played for Edinburgh City in an earlier round as is Pittodrie loanee Dylan Lobban.
However the man of the match against Elgin on his debut Tyler Mykyta can play having only been a third round unused substitute for parent club Cove Rangers.
Josh Skelly returns after serving his two match suspension, Roberto Nditi returns to the squad after his African adventures, Craig Thomson is available, while Callum Moore and Keiran Inglis sidelined by injury in recent weeks both took a full part in training on the Station Park surface on Thursday evening.
The Forfar players were not surprisingly in buoyant mood at that session despite the freezing conditions, skipper Andy Munro in particular looking forward to the joust with the team he has supported since he was a boy.
Hibernian in contrast to the recent conditions in Scotland over the past seven or so days have been enjoying the delights of a training camp in Dubai during the Premiership winter break.
While out in Emirates, they lost a bounce game 5-1 to Swiss side Servette, their last victory having come back in early December at Livingston.
Since then they have lost at McDiarmid Park and at home to Hearts courtesy of a late winner for the ‘Jambos’ at Easter Road in the Edinburgh derby.
Hibs manager Nick Montgomery who moved to Easter Road earlier in the season having led Central Coast Mariners to the Australian ‘A’ League title will however welcome the fact that he has a large and experienced pool of players at his disposal.
Jojo Wollacott, Rocky Bushiri, Martin Doyle and Lewis Miller are all away on international duty, while another handful of first team squad players are recovering from injury.
Scotland international keeper David Marshall, Joe Newell and Will Fish have been the ‘Hibees’ most consistent performers this term with 27 competitive appearances on their cv, Elie Youan the leading scorer with eight goals to his name.
All in all it should be a special occasion for the ‘toonie’ and let us hope it is remembered at the end of the day for all the right footballing reasons.
Hibernian are set to bring a massive travelling support to the town, many it would appear booked in to various pubs, hotels and clubs for a lunchtime refreshment and hopefully a Forfar Bridie or two.
You are all most welcome but again we re-iterate please arrive at the ground to allow ample time for access ahead of the 3p.m. kick-off.
Match referee Ross Hardie who will be assisted by Calum Spence and Douglas Ross will be handling a Forfar fixture for the first time this season.
At present with work continuing apace to tidy up the terracing in particular after the midweek snow and with temperatures forecast to rise in the next 24 hours, home officials are highly optimistic that although it looked unlikely earlier in the week, the game will go ahead as scheduled.
C’mon the ‘Loons’
Main Hospitality Guests – Alpha Projects Ltd. D&A Factors Ltd. John Bowman & Guests, A.I. Simson Solid Fuels
Supporters Information;-
Admission to this fixture is by pre-purchased ticket only. No cash turnstiles.
Turnstiles will open at 2p.m. prompt
FAFC officials urge all those attending to arrive at the ground as early as possible. Please do not leave your arrival till the last minute, simply to avoid congestion at the turnstiles.
Parking will be restricted within the vicinity of the ground as previously intimated. Again please leave ample time to find a suitable parking space, prior to making your way to the ground on foot.
50/50 tickets will be on sale from vendors within the ground.
A Refreshment Kiosk will be available in both the home and away sections of the ground.
The FAFC Club shop situated at the rear of the east terracing will be open prior to kick-off.
The 1984 Lounge at the ground will not be open as a bar facility as is normally the case at SPFL fixtures prior to kick-off on this occasion, but will re-open to FAFC supporters only minutes after the final whistle.
Ticket Selling Arrangements – Forfar Athletic Supporters only.
Forfar Athletic supporters will have a final chance to purchase tickets for the home segregated areas within the ground on Saturday morning.
Tickets will be on sale within the 1984 Lounge at Station Park from 9.30a.m. till 10.30a.m.
