Stenhousemuir v Forfar Athletic – match preview

The ‘Loons’ head to Ochilview on Saturday for a game between two sides who remain unbeaten in league outings during February.

While the Athies have recorded two wins and a draw, the ‘Warriors’ who have only played two games, drew 1-1 down at Stranraer last weekend, this following on from an impressive 2-0 success at Annan earlier in the month.

Thirteen points separate the clubs in the table, though the home side who sit fifth in the standings, Forfar occupying the runner up berth at present do have a game in hand.

All connected with the ‘Loons’ will be delighted to hear that manager Gary Irvine was released from hospital at the beginning of the week, following treatment not covid related and he has had a watching role at training in midweek.

Certainly last Saturday’s performance which he was forced to view from his hospital bed would have cheered him up no end!

Ross Meechan and his team mates go into the clash with Stenhousemuir no doubt hoping to carry the form and commitment that saw them sentence Kelty to their third defeat of the season with them.

Thankfully no new injury worries have been reported and the members of the squad who were affected have had another seven days to further recover from their covid symptoms.

The ‘Loons’ squad will also go into the fixture hoping for their first victory of the season against Steven Swift’s outfit.

Back at Ochilview in early October, the sides fought out a 1-1 draw.    Craig Thomson gave the visitors a 5^th minute lead on the day, Sean Crighton equalising for the home side in injury time.

Then on Boxing Day at Station Park the ‘Warriors’ stunned the home side and their supporters by racing into a 4-1 half-time lead and despite early counters in the second period from Scott Shepherd and Andy Munro all three points headed back to the central belt.

Ross Forbes who had a spell with the Station Park club netted two of the visitors goals in that fateful first half, BJ Coll the other familiar face amongst the Ochilview playing squad this term.

Incidentally the fourth game of the season between the sides will bring the curtain down on the league campaign for both clubs when Stenhousemuir are the visitors to the ‘toonie’ on the 30^th of April.

Back to Saturday first and a hoped for victory for Forfar could see them consolidate their second spot in the table with third placed Annan heading for Kelty on the same afternoon.

All know however that racking up those three points will as ever be no easy task.

Hopefully especially given last week’s performance and result a fair smattering of ‘Loons’ fans will make the journey south to lend their much appreciated backing on the day.

Admission prices are £14 for adults, £9 concessions and £5 for under 16’s.

The referee on Saturday is Mike Ronconne.

The other cinch league2 fixtures this weekend are;-

Friday – Edinburgh City v Cowdenbeath

Saturday – Elgin City v Stirling Albion, Kelty Hearts v Annan Athletic, Stranraer v Albion Rovers