MATCH PREVIEW: Airdrieonians v Forfar Athletic

Less than four weeks after parting company with the ‘Diamonds,’ Gary Bollan and his management team will return to the Excelsior Stadium on Saturday ‘at the helm’ of the ‘Loons.’

It will be only their second league game in charge of a Station Park side sitting second bottom of the Ladbrokes League 1, eight points adrift of fifth place Airdrie and of course still searching for that elusive first league victory since September 12th.

The visitors will still be smarting about the manner in which they allowed a two goal lead slip in last weekend’s titanic cup tie at Linlithgow, but all thoughts about next Tuesday’s replay will be put to one side, the focus this week having been purely on the importance of the league tussle against Eddie Wolecki-Black’s outfit.

A few of the Station Park squad have spent some time on the treatment table in midweek with niggling injuries and may require late fitness checks.

New signing Andy Ryan is likely to be thrust straight into the starting line-up, while Gavin Malin is also available.

All of last week’s bench got a run out in the midweek friendly against Kirrie Thistle, although the more senior trio of Mark Baxter, Omar Kader and Derek Young played only the first 45 of that contest.

The home side will be minus suspended custodian Neil Parry with 18 year old Rohan Ferguson who made an impressive debut against Dundee United in the cup last week again certain to deputise.

The enigmatic David Cox also misses out through a one match ban, but the three new faces introduced to the ‘Diamonds’ squad this month, defenders Kieran Macdonald and David Ferguson along with striker Dylan Macklin are certain to be in their squad.

It seems a long time ago now, but away back on  August the 8th, the opening day of the league season an early counter from Chris Templeman clinched the points for the visitors at the Excelsior.However in early November at Station Park, the visitors raced into a three goal lead by half-time and despite a sterling fight back by the homesters, Airdrie headed back west with the three points courtesy of a 3-2 win.

Saturday’s match will be refereed by first season Grade One whistler David Munro who took charge of Forfar’s August home encounter with Stenhousemuir.