MATCH PREVIEW: Arbroath v Forfar Athletic

Saturday’s clash at Gayfield between the top two teams in the Ladbrokes League 2 requires little build up as both sets of fans eagerly look forward to the third tussle between the ‘Lichties’ and the ‘Loons’ this campaign.

In fact not only is it a match between the top two in the table, but it is also a ‘battle’ between two of the form teams in the country at present.

Since Ryan McCord netted Arbroath’s late winner at Station Park on December 8th, the two sides have played fifteen league fixtures between them with only one defeat being registered.

That result came a couple of weeks back when Annan Athletic surprised all by picking up the points with a 2-1 win over Dick Campbell’s outfit at Gayfield.

Apart from that reverse the ‘Lichties’ have recorded five wins and a draw in the period mentioned, while the ‘Loons’ record reads six wins and two draws from their eight games.

That run has seen the Station Park men open up an eight point gap at the top of the table, but Gary Bollan and his players know that statistic will count for nothing come 3p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

Forfar go into the game with a couple of players nursing knocks, but hopefully they will be passed fit come match day.

Gavin Swankie returns to the squad after sitting out last Saturday’s 3-1 win over Cowdenbeath through suspension, while Chris McLaughlin signed earlier in the week on loan from Ross County will be in contention for a defensive role.

The home side are minus McCord who serves the second game of a two match ban, while their squad was augmented earlier in the week by the arrival Matty Smyth on loan from Dundee and back up custodian Cammy Gill signed also on a temporary transfer from Dunfermline Athletic.

The league leaders will go into what will undoubtedly be a titanic tussle keen to get their first derby match success of the campaign ‘under their belts’ and hopefully Gary and the players can count on a substantial travelling support making the short journey to lend their most welcome backing over the ninety minutes.

The vastly experienced John McKendrick is the man in the middle.