Forfar Athletic v Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic – match preview

Venue –Alpha Projects Stadium @ Station Park – ko 3p.m.
Saturday 13th January, 2024
cinch league 2 – match no 21

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 all supporters attending the fixture from 12.30p.m. to 2.50p.m. and again on the final whistle till 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
In a week when due to Burns Night, the scotch language has been to the fore, some would say it is back to ‘cauld claes and porridge’ for the ‘Loons’ players tomorrow after the cup tie excitement of last weekend.

That though is far from the case in the minds of the Athies management and players with three vital league points at stake when Bonnyrigg Rose arrive at Station Park on Saturday alongside the chance to move level on points in the cinch league2 table with their opponents.

Manager Ray McKinnon acknowledges both points forcibly.

Ray is hopeful and sees no reason why the momentum and form that the squad have shown since Christmas should not continue with the overall performance level from front to back remaining on the right track and direction. As has been well documented Ray was delighted with the showing against Premiership opposition on Saturday past when most present felt at the very least the home side could have taken the game to extra-time, but climbing the league table is now the one and only priority starting with the obtaining of positive results in the two upcoming home games, Spartans also due in the ‘toonie’ on Saturday week.

Thankfully there are no injuries to report which allows for consistency of selection, however do not rule out a change or two to last week’s starting line-up.

Ray is also delighted with his recent signings. Russell McLean adds much needed experience to the pool of players, while freshness is the keyword in the capture of Tyler Mykyta, Dyan Lobban and Rayan Mohammed.

Russell was of course ineligible for the cup tie, while Tyler man of the match in the last home game was introduced late on from the bench.

Rayan signed on the eve of the Hibs game made a cameo appearance in the second half and certainly looks like he will bring an option of power and pace to the Station Park line-up once he settles in, while Dylan who arrived earlier in the month from on loan from Aberdeen will be desperate to stake his claim for a place in future starting line-ups.

Bonnyrigg will certainly head north in confident mood themselves after their excellent 2-1 home win in the cup against Falkirk, youngster Bradley Barrett netting the last minute winner, former ‘Loon’ Angus Mailer the architect of the goal.

Forfar finally recorded their first win over the New Dundas Park outfit in Midlothian in mid November, goals from Mark Whatley and Ryan Paterson sealing a 2-0 victory, Rose having clinched all three points in the August clash between the sides at Station Park courtesy of a 2-1 success.

One thing is certain, another close encounter is on the cards on Saturday with the home supporters again urged to play their part as they have done so well both in the stand and on the terracing in recent times.

Match referee on Saturday is Alex Shepherd who took charge of our away game at East Fife earlier in the campaign.

Match Sponsor – Milnbank Developments Ltd.

Hospitality Guests – Fiskens of Forfar, Scott Dryden & Friends, Jane Rae & Friends, Rob Wiseman & Friends

Saturday’s other cinch league2 fixtures;- Elgin City v Dumbarton (2p.m. ko), Peterhead v Stenhousemuir, Stranraer v East Fife, The Spartans v Clyde