Venue – Station Park – Saturday 17th August – ko 3p.m.
Betfred Cup – Second Round
Admission Prices – Stand – Adults £15 Concessions (65& over) £9 Under 17’s £5
Terracing – Adults £14 Concessions £8 Under 17’s £5
Turnstiles open 2.15p.m.
Forfar Athletic Season Tickets not valid for this fixture
Summary – The ‘Loons’ reward for an excellent Betfred Cup run to date is a home second round tie on Saturday first against Premiership outfit Livingston, the first competitive fixture between the clubs for eight years.
It will be another ‘mountain’ to climb for the Station Park squad against Gary Holt’s side who are unbeaten in their six cup and league outings to date, albeit they have drawn both Premiership fixtures played.
The home side go into the game with a proud home record to defend, their last defeat at Station Park away back in early December of last year. Since then twelve wins and two draws have been the outcome of fourteen competitive fixtures played on home ’soil.’
The Athies will, however, have to go into the cup clash without the services of last Saturday’s man of the match Darren Whyte after he picked up a hamstring tweak early in Tuesday night’s Challenge cup tie at Links Park. The central defender is likely to be sidelined for around three weeks. Skipper Michael Travis who missed the opening two league games through suspension is, of course, the obvious replacement, the rest of the starting eleven unlikely to differ much from the Stranraer joust.
Livingston who finished last season in a highly creditable ninth position in the Premiership following promotion through the play-offs and some 23 points clear of relegated Dundee to boot, shared the spoils in a 2-2 draw at McDiarmid Park LAst Saturday against St. Johnstone. Scott Pittman and Steve Lawless were the scorers against the Saints and again their starting line up is likely to be along similar lines this time around.
Three of their close-season signings Nicky Devlin, Marven Bartley and Aymen Souda were in that starting eleven, Jon Guthrie a defender who spent the last two seasons with Walsall their latest newcomer at the beginning of this week.
There is no doubt that the players in the sky blue shirts of the ‘Loons’ will go into the contest high in confidence and with the memory of their victory over St. Johnstone to clinch the last sixteen spot still fresh in the memory.
Home fans will be looking to Marc McCallum to be in his usual fine form between the sticks, the solidity of the defence to again be paramount the creative midfield four to be on song and supply the ammunition for Andy Jackson and Dale Hilson who already look a potent force upfront.
Hopefully as mentioned in earlier despatches a reasonable number of Forfar fans will make the effort to come along to Station Park to lend their support to Jim Weir and his squad as they attempt to reach the last eight of this competition for the first time in 33 years.
C’mon the ’Loons.’
Referee – Gavin Duncan Assistant Referees – Joseph Lawson & David Dunne 4th Official – Graham Beaton
Supporters info – The Club Shop will be open prior to kick-off and during the half time interval. Seats can be booked within for Supporters Coach to Peterhead on 24th August.
A limited number of the new style team sheets will be available free of charge while stocks last from the Club Shop, Refreshment Kiosk and within the 1984 Lounge.
50/50 tickets on sale from vendors within the ground.
The 1984 Lounge will be open from 12.30p.m. till kick-off and on the final whistle till approx 8 p.m.
It will also be open during the half-time interval for Hospitality Voucher Ticket Holders, even though it is not a League 1 fixture.
MATCH SPONSOR – MILNBANK DEVELOPMENTS LTD
Hospitality Guests – Alliance Electrical Ltd. Bruce Gordon & Friends, Lee Hutcheon & Guests, Ray Martin & Friends
1984 Lounge Hospitality – Scott G. Brown Optician
Match Ball Sponsor – Neill Wilson
