Forfar Athletic v Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic – match preview

Venue –Alpha Projects Stadium @ Station Park – ko 3p.m.
Saturday 26th August, 2023
cinch league 2 – match no 4

Stand admission charges are;-
Adults £15
65 & over £9
Under 17’s £5

Terracing admission charges are;-
Adults £14
65& over £8
Under 17’s £5

Payment by cash at turnstile

Forfar Athletic Season Tickets are of course valid for this fixture

1984 Lounge

The 1984 Lounge at the ground will be open to FAFC supporters only, sponsors and hospitality guests, as well as visiting club officials from 12.30p.m. to 2.50p.m. (This decision has been made necessary to avoid overcrowding within the premises.)

It will re-open on the final whistle to all until approximately 8p.m.

The Refreshment Kiosk and Club Shop will be open as usual at the fixture.

50/50 tickets will be on sale from vendors within the ground and within the 1984 Lounge.

PREVIEW
The ‘Loons’ return to Station Park on Saturday with Bonnyrigg Rose their opponents on match day four in the cinch league2 campaign.

Without wishing to put pressure on his squad manager Ray McKinnon accepts that a win on the day is important to all concerned as the home side attempt to kick-start their league season following two draws and a defeat in the opening three encounters.

As ever it will be no easy task against a visiting side who are undefeated to date with a win away at Clyde, sandwiched in between home draws with Dumbarton and Stranraer.

Thankfully it would appear that the injury situation at Station Park is beginning to improve albeit it slowly.
Roberto Nditi and Callum Moore both took part in a full training session on Thursday evening and subject to showing no adverse reaction will return to the match day squad for Rose’s visit.

The game though will probably come a week to early for Josh Skelly but the good news is that the striker did some ball work in training this week.

Tomas Brindley is still sadly sidelined.

Athies supporters who were not at Dumbarton last weekend will get the opportunity however to see recent signing Euan Mutale make his home debut. The 19 year old striker signed on a season long temporary transfer arrangement from neighbours Dundee made an impressive start on the banks of the Clyde causing the ‘Sons’ defence some difficulty with his pace in particular, especially considering he had played a reasonable number of minutes in a bounce game for the Dark Blues just 24 hours before into the bargain.

The remainder of the home pool are also fit and raring to go according to the management team and no doubt keen to re-produce the winning formula and exciting play which was a feature of early Viaplay ties.

The ‘Loons’ as has been well documented failed to ‘lower the colours’ of Bonnyrigg last term, a draw and a defeat the end product both home and away over the course of season.

Former Station Park skipper Robbie Horn has recruited seven new faces over the summer months and all but one took part at some juncture in the 1-1 draw with Stranraer at New Dundas Park last week.

Angus Mailer signed from Elgin City is the only one of the new faces with a past connection to the Athies and while Paddy Martin who moved from Falkirk as first choice custodian could well be a key capture, Robbie no doubt has high hopes in a goal scoring context in the months haead for striker Smart Osadolor who has returned to the senior ranks after a spell at St. Cadocs.

One apologises in advance for repeating the obvious in this tight knit league, but another hard fought ninety minutes would appear to lie ahead.

Experienced official Gavin Duncan who was in Video Assistant mode in the UEFA Conference League in midweek is the man in the middle on Saturday.

Hospitality Guests – Queenswell Road Car Wash Services, Darren Douglas & Friends, John Hunter & Friends, Michael Nicol & Friends, Keith Thomson & Friends

1984 Lounge Hospitality Guests – Rodney Leel & Friends

Saturday’s other cinch league2 fixtures;- Elgin City v East Fife, Peterhead v The Spartans, Stenhousemuir v Dumbarton, Stranraer v Clyde