Stranraer v Forfar Athletic – match preview

The ‘Loons’ head to Stair Park tomorrow still looking for their first victory of the season in the cinch league2, their opponents Stranraer no doubt still reeling from their first loss of the campaign, a 5-0 defeat away to Stenhousemuir last weekend.

Manager Ray McKinnon confirms that the squad have been in great spirits at training this week and he is hopeful that he will have the same eighteen man pool available for selection this time round. A couple of players have been nursing slight knocks and will however require a last minute check on arrival in Wigtownshire.

Tomas Brindley has done some light training this past week, but Saturday’s contest will come to soon for his return to active service.

Dundee loanee Euan Mutale continues his recovery under the watchful eye of the Dens Park medical staff, while Craig Thomson will again be an absentee. Craig out with the football scene is currently in training with the Scottish Fire Brigade service which will restrict his availability in the coming weeks.

There were a lot of positives to be taken especially the second half performance from last week’s clash with Spartans.

Newcomer Rory MacLeod had a very impressive debut being involved in the lead up to both the goals on the day, while second half subs, Ryan Paterson, Darren Whyte and Andy Munro no doubt all staked a claim for a starting berth this Saturday.

Eradicating basic errors will have been hammered home to the players over the course of the week no doubt, alongside converting more of the goal scoring opportunities created. Both would undoubtedly mean a change in fortune on the park and a hoped for rapid rise up the league table.

Stranraer under the management this season of Scott Agnew who had three spells as a player at Stair Park in a career that saw him wear the colours of eight senior clubs had won three all by a single goal margin and drawn two of their opening five league encounters prior to last week’s reverse at Ochilview and still sit on the eleven point mark alongside three other clubs at the top end of the table.

Around ten newcomers arrived in the close season, one particular familiar face to ‘Loons’ fans being Ben Armour, a regular in the Athies line up last term.
Last season Forfar won both Station Park encounters against Saturday’s opponents, but suffered a 1-0 defeat, before picking up a point in a goalless draw on their travels to the south west tip of the country.

Hopefully and there is no reason why not, the lengthy homeward trek will be undertaken at 5.30p.m. on Saturday afternoon with that vital three point haul secured.

For the third league game in succession the man in the middle will be handling a ‘Loons’ fixture for the first time, Ryan Lee the man in black on this occasion.

Hopefully a few Forfar fans will make the journey to Stranraer to lend their support, a reminder that admission on the day is by cash or card at the turnstile.

Adult admission is £15, concession £10 and under 16’s £5.

C’mon the ‘Loons.’