Stranraer v Forfar Athletic – match preview

After two successive drawn matches, the ‘Loons’ will hope to get back to winning ways when they make the long trek to Wigtownshire on Saturday to face Stranraer.

This will obviously be the fourth game between the sides this season and the Athies have yet to taste defeat in what have nevertheless been three closely fought encounters.

A 1-1 draw was the end result back in late August at Station Park, before a late counter from Jamie Ness saw the visitors edge it 3-2 at Stair Park in October.

There then followed a similar score line when the sides ‘crossed swords’ at Station Park in January, two of the home side’s goals on that occasion coming from Scott Shepherd via the penalty spot.

Gary Irvine is likely to have a similar squad to select from as last weekend with fitness reports awaited on both Tomas Brindlay and PJ Crossan who in fact both missed out against Cowdenbeath.

The manager will no doubt be considering the odd change however to his starting line-up.

Stranraer go into the contest in sixth place in the table, six points adrift of a play-off spot.

They lost by the only goal of the game at Stirling last weekend, this after an excellent 2-1 win had been recorded at Edinburgh City the previous weekend, former Forfar player Sean Burns the scorer of one of Jamie Hamill’s sides goals on the night.

Back to the ‘Loons’ and they will be keen to find some form and drive from the first whistle on Saturday after a stuttering sixty minutes prior to eventually bursting into life in front of their own fans last Saturday.

A three point haul apart from making the journey home a much happier one will also undoubtedly keep the pressure on Annan in the fight for the coveted runners up spot.

Admission prices at Stair Park are £15 for adults, £10 concessions.

Iain Sneddon the man in the middle will be handling a Forfar fixture for the third time this season.

This weekend’s other cinch league2 fixtures are;-

Friday – Edinburgh City v Kelty Hearts

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