Forfar Athletic v Dumbarton – match preview

The ‘Loons’ and the ‘Sons’ will contest the opening game of the new league campaign at Station Park tomorrow some seven months after both sides last league fixture.

It will be played sadly behind closed doors. 

Why club’s like Forfar Athletic cannot allow access for example to their season ticket holders when it would be less than five per cent of their actual ground capacity figure and would allow young and old a couple of hours in the fresh air and hopefully aid their physical and mental well being is beyond many, but hopefully, that position will change as the season moves on.

The home side goes into the game on the back of a highly encouraging performance against Premiership outfit Hibernian in Tuesday’s Betfred Cup tie, only an 87th-minute header from David Gray preventing the tie going to the penalty shoot-out stage.   

Throughout the ninety minutes the home side went toe to toe with their more illustrious opponents, this despite their lack of match fitness against a team who were playing their thirteenth competitive game of the season.

A few of the younger home players, in particular, looked like exciting prospects indeed on the night.

The Athies injury and illness woes already at almost a critical stage were added to in the first half of that game when defender Darren Whyte was stretchered off with a knee injury.

Though hopefully not as serious as first thought, the result of a scan is awaited.

Manager Stuart Malcolm does hope to bolster his squad again with a short term loan signing prior to kick-off tomorrow, which will bring the squad numbers up to a staggering 24.

However, more than half a dozen of that number are out of the selection equation tomorrow through injury, illness, lack of match fitness, covid and isolation.

Dumbarton head north following two defeats at home to Dunfermline Athletic and away to Clyde in the Betfred.

Manager Jim Duffy a popular figure in the game who thankfully has recovered from a heart scare in the summer has made seven close-season signings including goalkeeper Kevin Dabrowski on loan from Hibernian and Chris Hamilton on a similar deal from their Edinburgh neighbours.

An interesting contest is in the pipeline with hopefully ‘home’ advantage working in the ‘Loons’ favour.

Peter Stuart will be the man in the middle for the contest which has the usual 3 p.m. kick-off with Forfar Athletic season ticket holders able of course to watch the action on the live streaming service as part of their overall package.

Despite the lack of supporters in the ground, the club will pay a belated further tribute prior to kick-off to our late Club President Jimmy Farquhar who passed away in the close season.

Both teams and those present will observe a minute’s silence in respect of Jimmy’s wonderful contribution to the club over many a year.

The match is available to watch live via the season ticket access sent to all adult and concession (65&over) ticket holders or on a PPV basis at https://forfarathletic.univtec.com/home

There will also be a half-time 50-50 draw. Tickets are available at: bit.ly/2G5S6Ey