Match Preview – Brechin City v Forfar Athletic
Ladbrokes League 1
Venue – Glebe Park, Brechin
Date – Saturday, November 10th – kick-off 3 p.m.
Admission Prices – Adults £15 Concessions £8 (65 & over and under 18’s) Family £18 (one adult and child of school age)
League Positions – Brechin City – 8th place – 13 pts from 12 games Forfar Athletic – 4th place – 18 points from 12 games
Previous result this season;- Forfar Athletic 1 (Travis 71 mins.) Brechin City 1 (Hendry 17mins.) at Station Park on 22.9.18
Summary – The ‘Loons’ make the short trip to Brechin on Saturday for their fourth Ladbrokes League 1 derby of the season, still looking for their first three-point haul of the campaign against one of their local neighbours.
However, Jim Weir and his squad will go into the game high on confidence following three successive victories, two of which have been on ‘foreign’ soil. The ‘Loons’ also go into the game with a settled squad with no fresh injuries or illness to report and will be a surprise to many if the starting line-up is any different to that which began the contests against Raith and Airdrie.
A report is awaited from parent club Rangers as to whether Aidan Wilson is fit and able to rejoin the Athies matchday squad.
In contrast to the Station Park side’s recent fortunes, City have lost their last three games against East Fife, Montrose and Raith and have also been hit with a fresh injury blow. Striker Callum Hendry on loan from St. Johnstone fractured a wrist in the Starks Park tussle.
Hendry was, in fact, the scorer of Brechin’s counter in the September clash between the sides at Station Park, Michael Travis on that occasion netting a deserved second-half equaliser for the home side.
The Glebe Park players will, however, be buoyed no doubt by the new manager ‘bounce’ following this week’s appointment of the experienced Barry Smith to replace Darren Dods. By coincidence, Barry’s last game in charge at Kirkcaldy prior to his shock resignation was Rovers 4-0 win over Forfar in early September!
A stirring derby is in prospect and hopefully, Michael Travis and his fellow players can bank on a large travelling support making the 12 mile trip to give vociferous backing in what is the ‘Loon’s fourth away game in the last six. Thankfully six of the next nine in league and cup will see the Athies have home advantage.
Match Officials – Referee – David Dickinson Assistants – John McCrossan & Jonathan Gall
Supporters information - Prior to kick-off on the weekend that we, in particular, commemorate the centenary of the ending of the Great War, the officials and players of both sides will take part in a short pre-match ceremony at Glebe Park. Brechin City have organised this act of remembrance in conjunction with their local branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland.
