Match Preview – Forfar Athletic v Stenhousemuir

Ladbrokes League 1

Venue – Station Park

Date – Saturday, 23rd February

Admission Prices – Stand – Adults £15   Concessions (65& over) £9    Under 17’s £5   

                                       Terracing – Adults £14   Concessions £8   Under 17’s £5   

                                       Forfar Athletic season tickets valid for this fixture

Current League Positions – Forfar Athletic – 3rd  – 40  points from 25 games   Stenhousemuir – 10^th – 22 points from 23 games

Previous Results this season – Forfar Athletic 2 Stenhousemuir 0 on 25.8.19    Stenhousemuir 1 Forfar Athletic 2 on 20.10.19

Summary –  The ‘Loons’ return to home pastures this Saturday, their six game unbeaten record having come to an end at Links Park last Saturday, when few connected with the Station Park outfit had any complaint about the final outcome.

However there is no reason why Michael Travis and his colleagues cannot embark on a similar successful run commencing with the visit of the ‘Warriors’ which is followed by another home joust on this occasion against East Fife on Saturday week.

Manager Jim Weir may decide to freshen up the starting eleven this time round and he will certainly have to make one change from the Montrose fixture.    Thomas Reilly’s second yellow card in the closing stages of the clash with the ‘Gable Endies’ mean a one game suspension for the midfielder.   

The Athies certainly have options in this department with Murray MacKintosh and Brad Spencer prime contenders on paper, while Matthew Aitken is certain to return to the eighteen man match day squad.

The ‘Loons’ will certainly be keen to get back on the goal trail into the bargain, last Saturday’s blank in that department their first of the calendar year.

Stenhousemuir head north having been out of action last weekend due to East Fife’s Irn Bru Cup commitments.    Colin McMenamin’s side sit in bottom spot in the table albeit with games in hand, this despite winning their last two league fixtures at home to Airdrieonains and Montrose, both by the only goal of the contest.

Their goal in the Montrose fixture was netted by Greg Hurst who had a spell on loan at Station Park last season when with St. Johnstone,   Greg was one of three signings made by the Ochilview outfit in January with Forfar connections.    Russell Dingwall also spent time on loan with the ‘Loons’ last season from Ross County while of course Andy Munro headed to the ‘Warriors’ for a nominal fee halfway through what was his third season at Station Park.

The big defender has been a hit with the Larbert faithful since then and he will also no doubt also receive a warm welcome back from the ‘Loons’ support.

The home side have won both previous games between the sides this term, but as ever that will count for little come 3p.m. on Saturday when the whistle will sound for the commencement of what looks likely to be an intriguing ninety minutes with the end result due to have obvious implications at both ends of the table.

Hopefully despite last Saturday’s blip, the home supporters who have been superb in recent times will turn out in reasonable numbers to give their full backing to the players as they hopefully return to winning ways.

Match Officials – Referee –  David Dickinson   Assistants – Kylie Cockburn & Steve MacDonald

Match Sponsors – MMG Archbold Ltd.

Hospitality Complex Guests –  Colin & Ewen Callander & Friends, Peter M. Drummond Ltd., The Taylor Family & Friends

1984 Lounge Hospitality – Debbie Balfour & Friends

Match Ball Sponsor – Phil Carnegie

Supporters Information –

The 1984 Lounge at Station Park will be open from 12.30p.m. till kick-off and on the final whistle till approximately 8p.m. 

Club Shop open prior to kick-off and during the half-time interval.     

Match Programme priced at £2 and 50/50 tickets available from vendors inside the ground.