The Spartans v Forfar Athletic – Match Preview

The William Hill League2 campaign gets underway again on Saturday with a full card of fixtures on match day six following the break last weekend for the SPFL Trust Trophy ties.

Ray McKinnon’s side head to the Capital City for what is a second time this season to face Spartans, the clubs having already met in a Premier Sports sectional tie at Ainslie Park.

That match ended in a 1-0 win for Dougie Samuel’s outfit, courtesy of an 86th minute counter from the mercurial Blair Henderson.

The ‘Loons’ management team decided against the option of a friendly fixture during the past fortnight, instead the players putting in five training sessions over the period.

Spirits and fitness levels are therefore high going into the clash with Spartans, although the manager admits that the break did not come at the most opportune of times for the squad following a much improved performance last time out against Elgin City when with a little rub of the green our first three point league haul of the season could have been and perhaps should have been achieved.

Despite the break a couple of players will require to have injuries assessed by the medical team prior to kick-off, however the manager was delighted today having again secured the services of Rayan Mohammed on loan from parent club Dundee, with another addition to the squad hopefully to be completed in early course.

As for Saturday’s opponents who brought in eight new faces during the summer months, they have had a great start to the season, especially in the Premier Sports Cup, qualifying for the knock-out stages, then defeating Ross County to set up a quarter final clash away to Aberdeen on the 21st of the month.

The ‘Loons’ last three visits to Ainslie Park have ended in 1-0 defeats, a run that Stuart and his colleagues will be going all out to bring to an end on Saturday.

Match referee is Peter Stuart.

Hopefully a reasonable number of Forfar fans will take the opportunity of an early autumn visit to the Capital City, admission prices as follows;-

Adult - £17
Concession (over 65 & 16/18 year olds) - £12
13/15 year olds - £5
12 & Under – foc

Please note Spartans have advised that all under 16s attending this fixture MUST be accompanied by an adult.

Tickets can be purchased in advance online, see the Spartans official website for details.

Alternatively payment can be made by cash or credit card at the appropriate turnstiles on the day.

Kick-off is at the usual time of 3pm.

Saturday’s other League2 fixtures are;- Clyde v Edinburgh City, Elgin City v Bonnyrigg Rose, Peterhead v Stirling Albion, Stranraer v East Fife