MATCH PREVIEW: Forfar Athletic v Stirling Albion

Gary Bollan and his squad will attempt to maintain their one hundred per cent league record when Stirling Albion come calling at Station Park on Saturday first.

The last meeting between the sides in March of 2015 ended in a 4-0 home win for the Athies as Albion slid down to the fourth tier of Scottish football, to be joined by the ‘Loons’ twelve months later.

The home side will go into the game brimming with confidence following their excellent recent run culminating in a hard fought victory at Annan last weekend, a result which owed all to a much improved second half showing.

The manager hopes to have a full squad, Michael Travis apart to select from and he will have to make the difficult decision whether to bring back Gavin Swankie, unavailable for the trip to Annan due to work commitments into the starting line-up.

Dependant on the outcome of the draw for the second round of the William Hill Scottish Cup, Saturday’s contest could be the first of six games in Angus out of their next scheduled seven fixtures for the ‘Loons’ and they will without doubt be keen to impress the home support and record another three point haul.

The ‘Binos’ had a couple fo terrific home wins in the Betfred Cup against Falkirk and Elgin City, but to date in league fixtures have only managed one success, a 2-0 home win over Montrose.  

Manager Stuart McLaren expressed his displeasure at their performance in a 1-1 draw at home to Edinburgh City last Saturday, so no doubt his players will enter the fray this week with his strong words still ‘ringing’ in their ears and no doubt up for teh fight.

The Forthbank side brought in eight new faces during the summer including Bryan Hodge, currently struggling with injury who spent last season with the ‘Loons.’

Hopefully a few extra locals may be attracted to the fixture given the player’s performances in recent weeks as that support can be so vital to the club moving forward.

The referee on Saturday is first season Grade One official Craig Napier making his first appearance in the middle at Station Park.

James F. Stephen, Architects with their head office at Glamis but who also have a base in Stirling are the match sponsors.

Admission charges are as normal £13/7 for the stand, £12/6 for the terracing.

The 1984 Lounge at the ground will be open from 12.30p.m. till kick-off and on the final whistle till approximately 7.30p.m.