MATCH PREVIEW: Forfar Athletic v Edinburgh City

The ‘Loons’ begin the final quarter of the Ladbrokes League 2 season with a visit from Edinburgh City on Saturday, the first of five home games still left in the campaign.

Gary Bollan’s side go into the fixture with a six point lead over nearest challengers Arbroath at the top of the table but slightly worryingly are without a win in their last four outings.

They did however hang on well for a point at Broadwood last Saturday with ten men following Grant Adam’s red card and will take heart this week that it would appear the goalkeeper apart all the squad are fit and raring to go.

Gavin Swankie who missed out with a recurrence of a niggling injury against Clyde is expected to take part in a full training session tonight, while Eddie Malone is again available to the manager having served his three match suspension.

Gary has still to make a final decision as to who will don the goalkeeping gloves as Grant serves his one match ban for last weekend’s indiscretion, while one or two other changes are likely to the starting line-up.

The Capital City side after a distinctly sticky start to their first season at this level have shown since in all probability late October that they have now adjusted to SPFL football.  

They currently sit seven points above Cowdenbeath at the foot of the table and have boosted their squad in recent weeks with the signing of much travelled striker Derek Riordan.  Behind the scenes, they have also recruited Jim Jeffries as Sporting Director to assist their management team in an innovative move.

A David Cox penalty sealed the points for the ‘Loons’ at Meadowbank in January this after the home side’s Osman See had seen an earlier spot-kick saved by Adam.   The teams played out a 1-1 draw at Station Park in October while Forfar triumphed by the odd goal in five in Edinburgh on the opening day of the league season.

Gary Jardine’s side however knocked the Athies out of the William Hill Scottish Cup winning a midweek replay 1-0 at Station Park after the original tie had ended goalless.

Second season Grade One official Mike Roncone takes charge of his first ‘Loons’ league fixture of the season, having been the man in the middle away back in August for the Irn Bru clash with Aberdeen Under 20’s.

Alan Davie Haulage are the most welcome and much appreciated sponsors of the fixture while five parties will be enjoying a hospitality package both in the complex and the lounge.

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

A reminder that the 1984 Lounge at the ground is open from 12.30p.m. until kick-off and on the final whistle until approximately 8p.m.