Peterhead next up for the ‘Loons’

Forfar Athletic make a quick return to action following their marathon Scottish Cup tie when Peterhead under the stewardship of Scotland’s longest serving one club manager Jim McInally are the visitors to Station Park on Tuesday evening.

It is the first of what manager Stuart Malcolm has rightly acknowledged will be three huge games this week for his side in their fight to move clear of the bottom two places in the league table.

Hopefully it is a good omen, but the ‘Blue Toon’ outfit are one of the two teams that the Athies have recorded a win against in the league campaign to date.   A Bobby Barr header secured the three points for the visitors at the Balmoor Stadium away back in November.   It does seem a long time ago!

The home side will welcome back Grant Anderson, Callum Moore and Martin Scott to their squad, all three having been ineligible for the cup tie.   Andy Munro misses out again however as he serves a one match suspension, the booking he picked up at Dumbarton his sixth of the season, the first five of course accrued in the colours of Stenhousemuir.

Hamish Thomson is also suspended following his red card on Saturday past.

Latest signing Michael Anderson will however be in the matchday Forfar squad for the first time.

The ‘Loons’ will be hoping to build on their undoubted improved form since their return to action, epitomised by their excellent showing in their last league outing,  the 2-2 draw at Firhill last Tuesday, where Scott Fenwick netted both goals,

Peterhead with four new loan signings in their ranks have had a mixed bag of results since re-start, losing surprisingly at home to Stenhousemuir in the cup, however winning two of their three league games against Airdrie and Dumbarton before a defeat from Clyde at home followed last midweek.

Experienced official Alan Newlands is the man in the middle.

The game itself has an unusual 7 p.m. kick-off.   This is down to a UEFA ruling in regard to kick-off times when Champions or Europa League ties are scheduled for broadcast.   It certainly does not help logistically for part-time clubs, but just another hurdle to contend with and overcome.

Again at Tuesday night’s game and it looks likely now for the remainder of the season, no supporters will be present.

It is rather galling when one visits the local supermarket on a busy day and you see in excess of 100 cars in the car park with relatively relaxed stewarding within the premises, that football clubs at our level cannot even allow their very limited number of season ticket holders the opportunity and we emphasise the word opportunity to attend a game at an outside venue with a capacity of 6,000 plus.   

Strange times indeed but we continue to live in hope that relaxation of these rules will be with us come the start of next season.

The busy schedule for the Station Park squad continues with a visit to Broadwood to face Clyde on Thursday evening again with a 7 p.m. kick-off, prior to East Fife visiting the ‘toonie’ on Saturday.

Tuesday night’s other SPFL League One fixtures are;- Airdrieonians v Falkirk, Clyde v Cove Rangers, Dumbarton v Montrose, East Fife v Partick Thistle