MATCH PREVIEW: Forfar Athletic v Montrose

It’s local derby time for the first time in the league this season for ‘Loons’ Officials, Players and Supporters when Montrose are the most welcome visitors to Station Park on Saturday.

When the fixture computer back in June decreed that our last two games of the first quarter of the league campaign would be against near neighbours Montrose and Arbroath, few if any would have thought that Gary Bollan and his players would be going into their eighth Ladbrokes League 2 fixture with a one hundred per cent record.

That however is the case and the management and players have to take credit for that fact.

However talk of establishing  new club records etc will be put firmly on the back burner, as all connected with the Athies know that what lies ahead will be a hard fought ninety minutes against our local rivals.

What adds extra spice to the occasion is the astonishing fact that the ‘Gable Endies’ starting line-up in the 0-0 draw with Berwick at Links Park last Saturday contained no less than seven players who have worn the Forfar colours earlier in their playing careers.

In fact at this time last season Chris Templeman and Iain Campbell were still plying their trade with the ‘Loons’ and Ross Campbell had not long since departed.

Those three great servants to the Station Park cause lined up against the Wee Rangers alongside Andrew Steeves, Michael Bolochoweckyj, Paul Watson and Gary Fraser in the current Montrose ranks.

Add into the mix that Manager Paul Hegarty and his Assistant John Holt also have Athies connections from the eighties and nineties, quite remarkable indeed.

All will receive a warm welcome, but this will not be extended past 3p.m. on Saturday.

Gary Bollan and his staff as ever will have their side well prepared and Montrose have been watched by Forfar’s scouting team over the past two weeks.   Those two games have in fact seen Saturday’s visitors pick up four of the six points they have gained to date.

The ‘Loons’ would ideally have liked to have gone into the game with an unchanged starting eleven for the third week running, but Gary is sweating on the fitness of one of last week’s line-up and either Danny Denholm or Marc Scott are no doubt on stand by to step up from the ‘bench.’

Leading scorer Josh Peters though has made a full recovery from his groin strain which forced him to leave the fray in the 65th minute against the ‘Bully Wee.’

Having at last notched up a clean sheet last Saturday at Broadwood, a repeat performance from Grant Adam and the defenders in front of him would also be another added bonus, following what were  a few admittedly shaky moments in earlier season tussles.

Supporters of any side love to see their favourites pick up the bragging rights in local derbies and Saturday will be no different for the Station Park faithful which hopefully will again be boosted by a few new faces.

At this point it has to be said that Forfar officials and players were thrilled by the backing the players received from a substantial travelling support at Cumbernauld last weekend.

All involved at Station Park would of course be thrilled if the team could go into next week’s clash with New Saints in the Irn Bru tourney with another three points in the ‘locker.’

Saturday’s fixture will be refereed by third season Grade One official Colin Steven.

The match is sponsored by Milnbank Developments.

Admission charges are the normal £13/7 for the stand, £12/6 for the terracing.

The 1984 Lounge at the ground will be open from 12.30p.m. till kick-off and on the final whistle till approximately 7.30p.m.