Huntly v Forfar Athletic - Match Preview

The ‘Loons’ are scheduled to get back into match day action for what will be only the second time this calendar month with a much looked forward to Scottish Gas Scottish Cup tie at Christie Park, Huntly on Saturday afternoon.

All connected with both clubs will have legs, arms, you name it crossed in the hope that that the fixture goes ahead as scheduled with more rain forecast indeed for the whole of the North East of Scotland over the next 24 hours.

Huntly’s playing surface is reckoned these days to be one of the best in the Highland League, so let’s hope it stands up to whatever the elements throw at it.
Forfar Athletic fans can rest assured that we will keep them abreast of any updates received from our opponents.
The Athies management and players were bitterly disappointed when our fixture at Elgin was nevertheless rightly postponed last weekend especially when a clean bill of health was reported for the first time this season.

By the way the Boroughbriggs clash will now go ahead on Tuesday November 21st.

However the full squad have been hard at work at training this week to keep their fitness at the appropriate level to accommodate the lack of match action, to be fair a problem that our opponents tomorrow have also had to contend with.

Manager Ray McKinnon will have the luxury of an eighteen man squad to pick from for the tie, the one exception being Rory MacLeod.

His parent club Dundee United perhaps not surprisingly considering the short term nature of his temporary transfer not wishing the Scotland Under 19 internationalist to be cup tied.

No such problems with Cameron Ferguson and Euan Mutale who have been given the go ahead to play from Newcastle United and Dundee respectively.

Forfar’s last competitive ninety minutes came back on October 7th, a home 3-1 defeat against league leaders Peterhead and the management team may indeed make a change of two to the starting eleven for the cup adventure.

Tomas Brindley, Kieran Inglis and Seb Ross not in the starting line-up against the ‘Blue Toon’ outfit could come into the equation, while Adam Hutchinson an absentee in that game due to illness will be pressing for a defensive role.

Ray McKinnon will be stressing to his players how important a Scottish Cup run is to the club, not only financially but in terms of a morale boost both on and off the park.

Huntly have had an excellent start to their Highland League campaign currently sitting in second position in the table on the 22 point mark, three behind leaders Formartine United.
The outstanding result of their campaign to date was undoubtedly a 3-0 home win over Buckie Thistle, while in the first round of the national tournament, they clinched a 1-0 win at Lowland League side East Stirling courtesy of a 90th minute counter from leading scorer Andrew Hunter.

Manager Allan Hale will have his troops well motivated for what is the first competitive clash between the sides at Christie Park.

Similarly Ray McKinnon will undoubtedly send his players on to the park at 3p.m. tomorrow in no doubt as to the task ahead, knowing that their attitude and application will require to be spot on from the first whistle if they are to achieve their immediate aim of a place in the third round draw, the stage when all the SPFL Championship and First Division clubs enter the fray.

The referee on Saturday is Stewart Luke who has handled a number of Forfar Athletic fixtures over the past season or two.

Admission charges are as follows;
Stand – Adults £12 Concessions £7
Ground – Adults £10 Concessions £5
Payment by cash at turnstile.

Forfar Athletic supporters will be made very welcome within the Social Club situated at the ground.

This weekend’s other second round ties;- Saturday – Albion Rovers v St. Andrews United, Beith Juniors v Broomhill, Brechin City v The Spartans, Civil Service Strollers v Stranraer, Cumnock Juniors v Turriff United, Deveronvale v Broxburn Athletic, Dumbarton v Banks O’ Dee, Dunbar United v East Fife, Formartine United v Clydebank, Forres Mechanics v Buckie Thistle, Fraserburgh v Bonnyrigg Rose, Jeanfiled Swifts v Elgin City, Kilwinning Rangers v Cowdenbeath, Luncarty v Boness United, Peterhead v Clachnacuddin, Pollok v Gala Fairydean, Stenhousemuir v Brora Rangers, Tranent v East Kilbride
Monday Evening (live on BBC Scotland) Musselburgh Athletic v Clyde

The draw for the third round of the competition will be made at Hampden Park on Sunday evening at 7.30p.m. The draw can be viewed live on the Scottish Cup You tube channel.