Forfar Athletic v Montrose – match preview

Matchday three in the SPFL League One sees Montrose visit Station Park on Saturday in the first of three scheduled derby fixtures between the sides during the campaign.

The ‘Loons’ go into the game unbeaten, but still without a victory.   Following on a first day 0-0 scoreline at home to Dumbarton, a game where Stuart Malcolm’s side could have been two up in the early stages, they then turned in a highly creditable performance to bring home a point in a 1-1 draw at the Falkirk Stadium last week.

It is just as well that the manager has a fairly large squad at his disposal at present as he will definitely be without six of that pool at the weekend.   Long term injury victims Michael Travis, Steven Anderson and Darren Whyte are joined in the treatment room by BJ Coll at present.  

Florent Hoti is also unavailable for the derby clash, while although Kyle Dalling returned to training on Thursday evening, he has a seven day rehabilitation period to go through in the first instance on the training ground following his Covid scare before he becomes available to the management team.

Daniel Scally and Archie Thomas will also be subject to fitness checks prior to kick-off, while Steven Doris and Mark Hill still short of match fitness did get ninety minutes of action under their belt in the hastily arranged friendly against Kirrie Thistle on Tuesday past.

The ‘Gable Endies’ will travel to Station Park in good heart having fought back from two down to share the spoils with East Fife at the New Bayview last Saturday, one of five former ‘Loons’ in their ranks Lewis Milne one of their goal scorers on the day.

This result followed on a 3-1 home reverse to Falkirk.

It will certainly be no easy task for the home side, but the omens have looked good to date and despite the weather, there was a real bounce at training on Thursday evening, which will hopefully as it has been in all three competitive fixtures to date be transferred on the field of play come 3 p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

Lloyd Wilson makes the long trek from Dumfries to referee the fixture.