Kelty Hearts v Forfar Athletic – match preview

The ‘Loons’ head over to Fife tomorrow  to face the now only unbeaten side in league fixtures this season in the United Kingdom following the defeat incurred by Liverpool on Sunday past.

Kelty Hearts following their elevation to SPFL status in May have had an amazing start to life at League 2 level, probably even eclipsing their own pre-season expectations.

However Gary Irvine and his squad in recent weeks have a record that matches that of their opponents and following last Saturday’s defeat of Elgin City allied to results elsewhere moved into second place in the table, albeit still seven points adrift of Kevin Thomson’s side.

Ross Meechan and his colleagues will also be aware of the fact that they went toe to toe with their opponents back in mid August at Station Park, many pundits on the day suggesting that the Athies were unlucky to pick up only one point for their efforts over the ninety minutes.

Matty Aitken gave the home side the lead in that contest in the 17^th minute, Kelty’s top marksman Nathan Austin equalising five minutes later.  Right on the stroke of half time, Craig Thomson finished off a wonder move by the ‘Loons’ to give them a one goal advantage, but it was Austin again  who popped up with the equaliser in the 64^th minute of a pulsating contest.

Forfar extended their unbeaten run in competitive matches to seven against Elgin City on Saturday past without being at their best, the contest in undoubtedly spoiled by a swirling wind which caused problems for both sides.  

In the end a first half counter from Andy Munro his second of the season and a superb headed goal from sub Grant Anderson within a minute of entering the fray saw the win secured against Gavin Price’s outfit who for long periods of the game belied their current lowly league position.

The ‘Loons’ picked up a couple of knocks in the game but it looks likely that the management team will have a full squad to pick their starting line up from on Saturday, long term injury victim Darren Whyte apart.

Craig Thomson who missed out last Saturday took part in training on Thursday evening.

Kelty who brought in eleven new faces in the close season including Jordon Forster from Dundee and Joe Cardle from Partick alongside three loan singings drew their last home game two weeks back against Stirling Albion, before clinching the three points in the local derby at Cowdenbeath last Saturday with a 76^th minute strike from Cardle.

An intriguing ninety minutes lies ahead in what is without doubt the cinch league2 game of the season to date.

This will only be the Athies second ever visit to New Central Park, the previous occasion for a friendly fixture in September of 2017 which saw the visitors triumph 4-1.

As mentioned earlier in the week hopefully a strong contingent of ‘Loons’ supporters will make the trip south to just off the M90 to lend their backing to the players.

The man in the middle on Saturday is Chris Fordyce who took charge of Forfar’s first competitive fixture of the season against Montrose in the Betfred Cup.

Admission prices at Kelty are as follows;-

Adults £13

Concessions £8

13 – 18 year olds £8

12 & under £2  (free if accompanied by an adult)

Forfar Athletic supporters though there is no segregation within the ground are asked to utilise the turnstiles at the north end of the ground beside the Community Centre.

This weekend’s other cinch league2 fixtures are;-

Friday – Edinburgh City v Stranraer

Satruday – Albion Rovers v Stirling Albion, Elgin City v Cowdenbeath, Stenhousemuir v Annan Athletic