Forfar Athletic 2 Stranraer 1

Forfar boosted themselves in to the promised land of the promotion play off places for the first time this season with a win over Stranraer.

The match was marred by some pretty terrible overhead conditions. Howling wind and latterly torrential rain made flowing football almost an impossibility.

Despite Stranraer having most of the territory in the opening period, it was Forfar who carved out the first chance of the game. Full debutant Duncan Watson and Seb Ross combined, the latter finding Nathan Flanagan but a mix up with Ben Armour narrowed his angle and a very good chance went a begging.

In a game devoid of any real quality, it was a moment of brilliance that put the Loons in front. Seb Ross lined up a free kick from range and curled an incredible, dipping shot into the very top corner, leaving the Stranraer keeper with no chance.

The goal, late in the half, spurred the Loons on and Ben Armour shot narrowly wide moments later after a good run and pass by Mark Docherty.

The conditions worsened in the second half and so too did the spectacle, as the rain battered down up on Station Park.
Ross did manage to carve out a half chance as he dug out a shot from under his feet but the Stranraer keeper reacted quickly to stop.

Once again, it was a moment of quality which produced the second goal. The returning Craig Slater split the visiting defence with a fantastic ball to Ross who squared for substitute Stefan McCluskey to bundle over the line.

Stranraer’s urgency increased and they almost pulled one back when Aaron Brown’s curling effort from outside the box best McCallum but struck the outside of the post.

The visitors did pull one back with four minutes to play. A cross ball was allowed to bounce in the box and Craig Malcolm made no mistake, nodding into the net from close range.

Despite a more nervy finish than necessary, the Loons held on fairly comfortably for a sixth win in seven games and boosted themselves into fourth in the cinch League 2 table, just two points behind third-place Annan having played one game less.

Next week sees Gary Naysmith’s rejuvenated Stenhousmuir team make the visit to Station Park, where the Athies will hope to extend their winning streak to five on the bounce.