MATCH PREVIEW: Forfar Athletic v Stirling Albion

The ‘Loons’ and the ‘Binos’ meet at Station Park on Saturday first in a Group A fixture in the Betfred Cup having both lost out on the opportunity of a bonus point in midweek penalty shoot-outs.

Gary Bollan’s side lost 4-3 to Brechin City following a 1-1 draw, while Dave MacKay’s outfit lost 2-0 to Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Forthbank following a goalless draw.   This incidentally broke the previous Scottish record for the lowest scoring penalty shoot-out of all time in a competitive fixture!

Forfar will go into Saturday’s game in confident mode following a gritty performance which saw them gain a well earned point at Glebe Park in midweek.   All the newcomers in the starting line-up played their part in what looked a fairly well balanced outfit, Mark Millar netting a late penalty equaliser after Isaac Layne had given the home side the lead midway through the second period.

The Station Park management team are still working feverishly to augment their current fairly ‘wafer thin’ squad and may have another new face in situ prior to kick-off on Saturday.

Albion head north having also lost 4-1 to Falkirk last Saturday in the opening round of fixtures with six new players recruited in the summer months.   Five of them were in starting line-up against Caley namely Peter Macdonald and Ewan McNeil who moved from Clyde, former Peterhead defender Steven Noble, Lee Hamilton who moved from Berwick and Callum Morrison who is on loan from parent club Hearts.

A three point haul on Saturday would give the Athies a great early season boost before they face Championship sides Falkirk and Inverness Caledonian Thistle next week.

Last season the ‘Loons’ recorded three wins and one draw in their four league clashes with Albion.

Referee on Saturday is Edinburgh based Gavin Ross who handled a Forfar fixture on five occasions last term.

The kick-off is as usual at 3p.m. and admission charges are £10 adults, senior citizens £5.  

Forfar Athletic season tickets are not valid, but as will be the case at all games in the group, Under 16’s can gain free admission.

Station Park officials have been delighted with the response to the hospitality packages at both Betfred ties, although there is no match sponsor as such.

The 1984 Lounge will be open from 12.30p.m. till kick-off and again on the final whistle till approx 8p.m.

The Club Shop will also be open on Saturday.

A programme is being published to cover both home ties at the normal cost of £2