MATCH PREVIEW: Peterhead v Forfar Athletic
Following on from a highly competent performance against Championship outfit Dumbarton on Saturday past, the ‘Loons’ head to the North East on Tuesday evening to face Peterhead in their second group stage game in the Betfred Cup.
The Balmoor Stadium has not been a particularly happy hunting ground for the Athies in recent times but the current side will certainly travel with confidence following their opening salvo against the ‘Sons.’
Gary Bollan will welcome Danny Denholm back to the squad having served his one match suspension on Saturday, but Jamie Bain so unlucky to be shown two yellow cards at the weekend will have to sit the game out.
Tam O’Brien scorer of that superb second goal on Saturday is also a doubt due to work commitments.
Eighteen year old defender Murray MacKintosh who made a big impression on his ‘first team’ debut on Saturday is likely to retain his place in the starting line-up.
Jim McInally’s side were the odd team out in the group on Saturday, but played a bounce game against Blackpool at St. Andrews on the Friday evening, this following pre-season friendly successes over Montrose, Fraserburgh and Formartine.
Having finished second in League One last term and of course reaching the Petrofac Final at Hampden, it is perhaps no surprise that at present Jim would appear to be heading into the new campaign with virtually the same squad.
Defender Scott Rumsby snapped up from Stranraer their only major close season capture.
The ‘Blue Toon’ outfit will start as the bookies favourites on Tuesday, but the visitors who astonishingly fielded nine new faces from last season’s first team pool in their Saturday starting line-up will be up for the task and certainly with the addition of Josh Peters late last week, they look a potent force up front.
The referee for Tuesday’s game is Edinburgh based Gavin Ross who took charge of the last encounter between the sides at Balmoor in February.
The kick-off is at 8p.m. and admission charges are £12 for adults, £6 concessions.
