Stranraer v Forfar Athletic – match preview

The ‘Loons’ make the long trek to Stair Park on Saturday for what will be a tough assignment against Jamie Hamill’s Stranraer side, a fact acknowledged by Athies manager Ray McKinnon.

Ray is certain that a tricky ninety minutes lies ahead of his players at a ground where away teams in the main find it difficult.

Ray is also of the opinion that despite last week’s defeat from Bonnyrigg, Stranraer have improved overall in recent times and that his side will have to be as they have been in recent weeks totally ‘switched on’ from the first minute of the contest.

As ever it seems one of two of the Station Park squad will require a late fitness assessment, perhaps even as late as upon arrival in  Wigtownshire.

However there has never been any doubt and that has been emphasised in recent weeks, that a strong first team pool of players would be required to succeed at any level of SPFL football in this day and age.

This will be the fifth clash this season between the sides, honours even in a League Cup fixture at Station Park away back in late July.   

The ‘Loons’ then triumphed 2-0 in their opening home league encounter of the season, before a goal from James Hilton, currently Stranraer’s leading scorer on eight goals clinched all three points for his side at Stair Park in late October.

The teams then went toe to toe in horrible overhead conditions at Station Park a couple of months back, counters from Seb Ross and Stefan McCluskey securing a 2-1 win for the home side.

Forfar go into tomorrow’s clash in fourth place in the cinch league2 table with five vital games remaining, their opponents in seventh spot, seven points adrift of the play-off spots.

Experienced official Steven Kirkland who took charge of the Athies fixture at East Fife last month is again the man in the middle.

Admission charges at Stair Park are £15 for adults, £10 concessions and £5 for under 16’s.

Tomorrow’s other fixtures in the cinch league2 are;- Albion Rovers v Elgin City, Annan Athletic v Dumbarton, Stenhousemuir v Bonnyrigg Rose, Stirling Albion v East Fife