The Spartans v Forfar Athletic – match preview

The ‘Loons’ head to Ainslie Park on the north side of Edinburgh on Saturday for a first ever league meeting at the venue with hosts Spartans, last season’s Lowland League champions, who went on to defeat Brechin City and Albion Rovers in the play-off fixtures to attain SPFL status.

The sides have of course already met this campaign, the end result at Station Park back in mid September a 2-2 draw.
On the day Seb Ross gave the home side a 25th minute lead, only for the visitors to go in at the interval 2-1 up, Michael Allan with a bizarre free-kick counter from inside the penalty box and Blair Henderson their scorers. Mark Whatley netted what turned out to the only other goal of the game from close range seven minutes into the second period.

Ray McKinnon’s side go into Saturday’s contest on the back of their fourth home draw of the season to date last weekend against Stranraer.

The manager like the vast majority of the supporters who braved the ice cold conditions were delighted with the standard of the home side’s performance, especially in the first period when quite frankly had it been a boxing match the referee would have stopped the contest.
Sadly though apart from Matty Allan’s early header, we just could not put the final important touch to a myriad of chances created.
To be fair throughout the ninety minutes, the ‘Loons’ were solid at the back, creative in midfield and the strikers were on the spot to take up the goal scoring opportunities, but lady luck was not on their side.

The sucker punch came with Stranraer scoring with practically their only shot of the day and even then a major deflection was required on the way past Marc and into the net.

On the back of the overall showing however Ray is convinced that the tide is going to turn and with it a few wins and a climb up the cinch league2 table are on the cards.

Certainly despite the dreadful overhead conditions at training on Thursday night all were in great spirits and eagerly looking forward to the Capital City clash.

On the injury front Rory MacLeod is sidelined for a second weekend following the injury he picked up in training, but on the plus side Adam Hutchison returns to the match day squad.

Spartans scheduled league fixture away to East Fife fell foul of the weather last weekend, their last outing the 2-1 home defeat of Arbroath on Scottish Cup duty, James Craigen and Jamie Dishington their scorers.
Dougie Samuel’s side currently sit in fourth position in the table on the twenty point mark and will certainly provide tough opposition for the Athies, especially on their own ‘patch.’

Saturday’s game has the normal 3p.m. kick-off and despite the fact it is the ‘Loons’ third visit to the area over the last four weekends hopefully a fair number of the Station Park faithful will be in attendance.

Jordan Curran will be the man in control of proceedings.

Admission prices at Ainslie Park are £15 for adults, £10 concessions and £5 for 12/16 years olds. Under 12’s are admitted free of charge.

Tickets can be purchased in advance on the Fanbase website, but cash/card turnstiles are also available in the hour leading up to kick-off.

Saturday’s other conch league2 fixtures are;- Bonnyrigg Rose v Peterhead, Clyde v Stranraer, Dumbarton v Stenhousemuir, East Fife v Elgin City