MATCH PREVIEW: Forfar Athletic v Stranraer

Matches do not come much harder for the ‘Loons’ than this Saturday’s visit to Station Park of one of the league’s form teams with Stranraer having won four of their five league games to date in the calendar year of 2016.

These victories have included two 2-0 successes in the past week over Brechin City at home and at Coatbridge on Tuesday night against Albion Rovers.

Andrew Stirling was a goal scorer in both these games, leading marksman Craig Malcolm with eleven to date this campaign the scorer of the second against Rovers.

Willie Gibson who has been an integral part of the Stair Park side’s revival in fortunes since arriving back from Dunfermline netted the second against City, but suspension will rule him out of Saturday’s contest.

Those victories have seen Brian Reid’s charges rise to fifth in the table, eleven points ahead of the Athies.

Apart from Gibson’s arrival, Stranraer have also brought in a new keeper in the ‘window’, Cameron Belford arriving on loan from National League side Wrexham, meaning for him a 600 mile plus round trip for Saturday’s contest.

Station Park boss Gary Bollan will hope Michael Travis apart to have a squad with a full bill of health, giving him for a change a few options to contend with prior to making his final selection.

Newcomers Euan Spark and Gareth Rodger are certain to feature in the pool on the day, with the manager still harbouring hopes of bringing in another new face, a forward who is a free agent prior to Saturday’s kick-off.

The other January signing Andy Ryan who made a promising debut against the ‘Warriors’ will also be hoping to open his goal account for the ‘Loons.’

Stranraer came out on top by the odd goal in three on their previous visit this term to Station Park back in September, while the sides settled for a point apiece in a gruelling 0-0 draw at Stair Park in November.

Home fans will be hoping that the improved and vibrant performance in the opening thirty minutes of our last home league game with Stenhousemuir can be maintained through the ninety on Saturday and that much awaited victory can potentially be achieved.

This is especially the case with a couple of away Saturday trips to Peterhead and Ayr on the horizon and in all probability a further away midweek re-arranged fixture likely, before the visit of Albion Rovers on the last Saturday of the month.

Saturday’s fixture will be refereed by Ayrshire based Premiership official Greg Aitken who was last in town for the League Cup visit of Hearts when the home side ended the contest with nine men.

The match is sponsored by that great friend of the club Alan Davie.

Admission prices are as normal with adult admission to the stand £13, concessions £7. Ground prices are £12/6.

Forfar Athletic season ticket holders should utilise voucher 19.

A reminder to supporters of both clubs that the 1984 Lounge at the ground will be open for business from 12.30p.m. till kick-off and again on the final whistle till approximately 7.30p.m.