Ross County v Forfar Athletic – match preview

Venue – Global Energy Stadium – Wednesday 24^th July – Kick-off 7.45p.m.

Betfred Cup – Group B

Admission Prices – Adults £12 Concessions £6

The ‘Loons’ make the long trek up the A9 on Wednesday for what will be their first competitive game against Ross County’s topside at the venue since early 2006.

It also brings together the two teams with a one hundred per cent record to date in the group with the home side needing two points on the night to totally confirm their participation in the knock-out stages, although one would probably suffice.

The ninety minutes before them will certainly be no easy task for Jim Weir’s outfit, but they will go into the game full of confidence after back to back wins over Brechin City and Montrose and in particular an impressive second-half performance at Links Park on Saturday past.

They do however go into the contest without two key players.   Skipper and goal scorer on three occasions to date this term Michael Travis will sadly be attending his grandfather’s Owen Smith’s funeral on Wednesday.   Owen was a fanatical follower of Michael’s career in the game and a well known and well-liked figure at Station Park in recent times.

Dale Hilson also misses out having picked up yellow cards in both ties to date.

Darren Whyte is likely to be fully fit to take over Michael’s position in the heart of the defence while Andy Jackson rested on Saturday but introduced in the second half is almost a certainty to be Dale’s replacement upfront.

Ross Meechan and Ross Forbes are also likely to return to the starting line-up with only four outfield subs available in this instance to the management team.

The home side have followed up their Championship winning season with an impressive three wins and ten goals to date in their three ties.

Their management duo brought in five new faces in the close season, their goal threat to date this season coming from Billy McKay and Ross Stewart with four apiece.

As mentioned above a tough ninety minutes are no doubt in store for the men in sky blue, but they will there is no doubt give their all to make sure they have a realistic chance of reaching the next stage of the competition when St. Johnstone come calling on Saturday afternoon.

An interesting footnote to the game is the appearance in the middle of Scotland’s top official Willie Collum, the first time he will have been in charge of a ‘Loons’ fixture since that ill-fated play-off final second leg at Alloa in May of 2015.

Referee – William Collum  Assistant Referees – Drew Kirkland & Ross MacLeod

In the sectional ties, three points are awarded for a win.  

If the match ends in a draw after 90 minutes, each side receives one point.     A penalty shoot-out then takes place under FIFA regulations and the winning side in the shoot- out receives one bonus point.

Results to date in Group B;-

Forfar Athletic 3 Brechin City 0

Ross County 4 Montrose 1

Brechin City 0 Ross County 4

Montrose 1 St. Johnstone 0

Montrose 1 Forfar Athletic 4

St. Johnstone 1 Ross County 2