MATCH PREVIEW: Forfar Athletic v Arbroath

This Saturday brings the first Angus league derby of the season when Arbroath are the visitors to Station Park.  Both teams will be looking for a win to put last weekend’s poor results behind them. A victory for the Loons would see them just one point behind the Red Lichties in the table. 

Few in attendance on Saturday will need reminding about the encounters between the clubs last season. Arbroath had the upper hand winning two games, the Loons winning one and the other ending in a draw.  And of course in the end the league title went to the Gayfield side.   It can safely be assumed however that Dick Campbell won’t be letting his players rest on that success. As ever, he will have them well prepared, especially with the added pressure of maintaining an undefeated away league record stretching back over a year. There will likely be a few familiar faces in the Arbroath line-up come 3pm on Saturday. Due to the injury he sustained in last Saturday’s defeat at home to Albion Rovers, Steven Doris is expected to be missing. Bryan Prunty and Josh Skelly are also injured. 

Gary Bollan will be seeking a similar performance to that which the team put in for 88 minutes of last week’s game when, but for two late defensive lapses, three points would have been secured.  As it stands the home side will be in no doubt as to the importance of a win that would see the Loons double their points tally for the season.  Matthew Aiken will be back in the home squad following his one match suspension. And another plus. Ousman See will surely have taken some confidence from scoring his first goal of the season last week.  On the other hand, long-term absentee, Grant Adam remains on the side-lines.

Saturday’s Match sponsors are Orchard Timber Products. Now in their twelfth year of backing the club, everyone connected with the Loons appreciate the company’s marvellous support as the club’s main sponsor. Unsurprisingly, for such an eagerly awaited fixture, all hospitality suites are fully booked. A number of guests will be enjoying boardroom hospitality. They include Match Ball sponsors Jim Farquharson, Doug Robertson and Vernon Russell - all Station Park season ticket holders.  Mascot for the match is junior season ticket holder Callum Cormie. 

Saturday’s referee is Craig Napier, who many may remember took charge of the derby match at Gayfield last October when Jamie Bain was sent off.  The assistant referees are Andrew McWilliam and Liam Duncan.

Home season tickets are valid and the usual admission prices will apply for those paying at the gate - £13/£7 for the stand and £12/£6 for the terraces. 

The Club Shop will be open as usual before the match and at half-time. Supporters – home and away – will be made most welcome in the 1984 Lounge from 12.30pm and again after the match until approximately 8pm.

Finally a team from the Angus Suicide Prevention Collaborative will be at the game to promote the support available in the local community for mental health illnesses and suicide prevention this being the match closest to World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September.