Stranraer 1 Forfar Athletic 0

Saturday 29 October 2022
Stair Park, Stranraer 
SPFL cinch League 2

 A first half goal gave the home side the three points in a close game at Stair Park. 

 Three of the Loons starting lineup from the Scottish Cup success a week earlier,  Tomas Brindley, Craig Slater and Darren Whyte, were missing through injury or illness. The absence of Whyte saw St Johnstone loanee Bobby Dailly given his starting debut. There was a return to the bench for Nathan Flanagan who made an appearance as a second half substitute creating a number of chances for the Loons. 

 Back to the first half and it was Stranraer who adapted best to the tricky underfoot and overhead conditions caused by persistent rain.

 What turned out to be the only goal of the game came in the twentieth minute when Marc McCallum could only deflect a looping header onto the goal line where James Hilton prodded the ball home for Stranraer.

 There was a blow for the home side shortly before half time when midfielder Paul Woods had to be stretchered off in obvious pain with a bad knee injury. Everyone at Forfar Athletic wishes Paul a speedy recovery. 

 Despite an improved second half  performance, and the bulk of the possession, the Loons couldn't break down the resilient Stranraer defence.  The Loons' best chance of the game came in the 88th minute when a looping header by Matty Aitken rebounded off the crossbar and into the path of Stefan McCluskey.  McCluskey’s resulting strike was cleared off the goal line by Stranraer defender Kyle Girvan. The match came to an end minutes later in increasingly heavy rain and nothing to show for a long day on the road for Forfar. 

 It has to be said that the match day didn't start well for Forfar when the team coach broke down in East Kilbride. However a quick change of plan saw the players making the onward journey on time by a series of cars while a replacement coach was sourced. It has to be said the replacement was organised very efficiently by JP coaches with the help of Parks of Hamilton who of course have their main depot close by. Thanks to all concerned. 

 After three away matches, two home games now await the Loons over the coming fortnight. The first, next Saturday, is against bottom side Annan Athletic who suffered a home defeat today at the hands of Dumbarton. Bonnyrigg are the visitors to Station Park in two weeks' time.