Stirling Albion v Forfar Athletic – match preview

For the third time asking the ‘Binos’ and the ‘Loons’  will hopefully fulfil ninety minutes of cinch league2 action at the Forthbank Stadium on Tuesday night.

The fixture failed to beat the weather ‘gods’ on the original match date in December, then again just over a month later, but hopefully, fingers crossed it will be the third time lucky.

Darren Young’s side will go into the contest knowing that even a point will see them move above Dumbarton into top spot in the league table.

This follows on from their 1-1 draw at Stranraer on Saturday past, while the ‘Sons’ were being thrashed 5-1 at home by Albion Rovers.

Jack Leitch gave Stirling a 41st-minute lead in the Stair Park clash, Stranraer however netted a second-half equaliser.

Forfar Athletic will go into the match with Albion however in very good heart following a deserved return to winning ways at home to Annan Athletic on Saturday past, the three points gleaned taking them once again back to within touching distance of a top-four placing.

Matty Aitken’s early penalty strike was nullified before the half-time whistle by a Tommy Goss header, but in the second period which the home side dominated creating chance after chance, it was super sub on the day Ben Armour who finally got the better of Greg Fleming who had been in inspirational form throughout between the sticks for the visitors.

It would appear that no new injury worries were reported in the aftermath of Saturday’s success.    Manager Ray McKinnon who expressed his delight at securing the three points against Peter Murphy’s outfit and in particular the outstanding all-round performance in the second period should again have a near fully fit squad to choose the starting eleven from on the night.

Ray has hinted at a change or two in the light of the hefty current schedule, the fixture at Stirling the second of five games in a fifteen-day spell, but all will be revealed come the 7.45 p.m. kick-off time.

The Athies will be attempting to secure a first victory of the season against the home side.   Both previous encounters have taken place at Station Park, the visitors triumphing 4-1 back in late September before the sides battled to a 0-0 conclusion at Station Park just over three weeks ago.

Despite the lack of goals that afternoon, it was nevertheless a highly entertaining ninety minutes with Stirling to be fair dominating the opening period, the home side if anything just edging the second half.

The referee on Tuesday night is Stewart Luke who will be handling his second ‘Loons’ fixture of the campaign.

The only other cinch league2 fixture re-scheduled for this midweek is a vital clash between Albion Rovers and Stranraer.

Despite the unavoidable midweek slot, hopefully, a few Forfar ‘diehards’ will make the 60-mile trip to the central belt to lend their support on the night.

Admission charges at Forthbank are;-

Adults £15
65 & over - £10
Students and Under 17’s £5
Under 12’s free if accompanied by a paying adult.