Forfar Athletic v Albion Rovers – match preview
Venue – Station Park – ko 3p.m.
Saturday 1st April
cinch league 2 – match no 31
Stand admission charges are;-
Adults £15
65 & over £9
Under 17’s £5
Terracing admission charges are;-
Adults £14
65& over £8
Under 17’s £5
Payment by cash at turnstile
Forfar Athletic Season Tickets are of course valid for this fixture
1984 Lounge
The 1984 Lounge at the ground will be open to FAFC supporters, sponsors and hospitality guests, as well as visiting club officials only from 12.30p.m. to 2.50p.m. and again to all on the final whistle till approx 8p.m.
The Refreshment Kiosk will be open as usual at the fixture while the Club Shop situated at the rear of the East Terracing will be open prior to kick-off only on this occasion.
50/50 tickets will be on sale from vendors in the ground and within the 1984 Lounge.
PREVIEW
The ‘Loons’ return home on Saturday after three successive away fixtures when Albion Rovers under newly appointed manager Sandy Clark are the visitors to Station Park.
Forfar go into the fixture on the back of a superb result at Dumbarton in midweek, the 1-0 victory achieved against the ‘Sons’ well deserved and the result of an excellent and battling team effort from all sixteen players utilised over the course of the ninety minutes.
Manager Ray McKinnon was delighted with his players efforts on the night and of course hopes that they will take that form and resolve into Saturday’s clash with Rovers.
Ray is delighted to be back on home ‘soil’ and realises that this is an opportunity if all aspects of his side’s game plan are executed to pick up what would be a vital three points and with it a guaranteed top four spot come 4.50p.m.
He is of course wary of the opponents having the new manager ‘bounce’ but is confident that can be overcome, especially with the backing of the home support.
He is also delighted to say that there are no major injury concerns to report after a gruelling ninety minutes in tough underfoot conditions at the Dumbarton Stadium and Darren Whyte and Darren Watson apart, he should have all remaining members of his squad available for selection.
The home side will approach the contest knowing that they have picked up all nine points to date this term against the Coatbridge outfit.
Goals from Matty Aitken and Kyle Hutton secured a 2-0 success at Cliftonhill in September, a Ben Armour counter clinching victory at Station Park in early December, Finn Robson on the mark for the only goal of the game in Lanarkshire in late January.
As mentioned above vastly experienced manager and coach Sandy Clark took over the reins at Albion in midweek in the wake of the departure of Brian Reid following the 1-0 defeat from Bonnyrigg Rose last Saturday, a result that saw Rovers slip to the dreaded 10th position in the cinch league2 table with six games of the season remaining.
Nevertheless the former Rangers, Hearts and West Ham striker who has managed and coached at all levels of the Scottish game takes over a side who only two weeks back thumped Dumbarton 5-1 on their own patch!
He also has at his disposal one of the biggest goal threats in the league in 21 year old Charlie Reilly, the former Partick striker having passed the twenty goal mark already this season.
Ray McKinnon knows a tough ninety minutes lie ahead for his players, in fact that has been the case since he took over as the manager in November, but on the whole the squad has risen to the occasion.
Certainly to utilise the old cliché, six cup finals lie ahead in the quest to attain a play-off spot, a scenario in early November that would not have been in the wildest dream of any Athies supporter.
Mentioning supporters, a massive pat on the back and the thanks of management, players and club officials to the many fans who have travelled and incurred no little expense over the past week and more to support the cause.
Rest assured as could be seen by the players reaction at close of play on Wednesday evening it is appreciated.
Now tomorrow the support in the Station Park stand and on the terraces, a vital cog in the overall ‘team’ effort, can play its part in getting behind Craig and his colleagues from the first whistle as has been the case without doubt in recent times.
Referee on Saturday is George Calder who will be handling a Forfar Athletic fixture for the fifth time this campaign.
C’mon the ‘Loons’
Match Sponsor – Scott G. Brown Optician, East Kilbride
Hospitality Guests – Graeme Campbell & Friends, Billy Douglas & Friends, Bruce Gordon & Friends, George Patullo & Friends
1984 Lounge Hospitality – Iain Hedley & Friends
Saturday’s other cinch league2 fixtures;- Bonnyrigg Rose v Stranraer, Dumbarton v Stenhousemuir, East Fife v Annan Athletic, Elgin City v Stirling Albion
