Stranraer v Forfar Athletic – Match Preview

The ‘Loons’ head for Stranraer on Saturday for what is without doubt the proverbial ‘six pointer’ with both sides on the same points tally with three games remaining, the home side currently claiming the final play-off spot in the William Hill League2 by a slender one goal margin.

It is therefore all to play for with both teams going into the game on the back of big results, the Athies having triumphed last Saturday at home to league leaders East Kilbride, while the men from Wigtownshire were winning by a similar 2-1 score line in the Capital City against second in the table the Spartans.

Manager Jim Weir was rightly full of praise for his players efforts against the Lanarkshire outfit last weekend and he has been equally delighted with the positivity on the training pitch this midweek, commenting in particular about how lively and vocal the squad have been. Jim though was quick to emphasise the difficult task that awaits them in Wigtownshire where they will face a home team that have now impressively defeated all three top teams in the league table within their last six outings.

However Jim and the players go into the contest on the back of two excellent victories on home soil, realising that a third successive win would elevate them into that fourth spot in the table with a home game against Edinburgh City and visit to Annan on the cards over the following two Saturdays.

There is good news on the injury front into the bargain as the Athies prepare for trip down the A77. Blair Alston and Martin Rennie unused subs last weekend as they were carrying knocks are both now fully fit and ready for action. On a different front availability wise Jake Dolzanski returns to the match day squad having served his two match suspension. Therefore only loanee goalkeeper Mason Munn and long term injury victim Ross MacLean are still out of contention for a starting berth although both are nearing a return to ‘active service’.

It is honours even to date this term in clashes between the sides. Last Saturday’s goal scorer Stuart Morrison was also on the mark with the only goal of the game when Stranraer visited Forfar on the opening day of the league campaign back in August, the home side triumphing 3-1 at Stair Park in November. A 2-2 draw was the final outcome at the Alpha Projects Stadium @ Station Park in mid January, Jake Sutherland netting a late equaliser for the home side, the visiting marksmen on the day Finn Ecrepont and Deryn Lang.

Without doubt both management teams and all the players concerned will be looking forward to the ninety plus minutes that lie ahead, the clash another of those vital end of season fixtures which is a testament to the introduction quite a few years back now of the play-off system to Scottish football. Fingers crossed that it is the members of the Forfar Athletic faithful who intend making the 360 mile round trip that are the happy ‘bunnies’ on the shores of Loch Ryan come 5pm on Saturday afternoon.

Saturday’s man in the middle is Jamie Wilkie who took charge of the ‘Loons’ first competitive fixture of the campaign away back in mid July at Annan.

Admission prices at Stranraer are along similar lines to our own;-

Adults £15
Concessions £10
16 & under £5