MATCH PREVIEW: Forfar Athletic v Arbroath

When the ‘Loons’ left Gayfield back in early February with a Josh Peters first half counter having sealed all three points, it meant that Gary Bollan’s side had an eleven point lead over the ‘Lichties’ at the top of the Ladbrokes League 2 table.

However in the intervening period, Dick Campbell’s ‘troops’ have gone on a run that has seen them win five, draw two and lose only one of their next eight games, while Forfar finally brought a seven game run without a victory to an end with a convincing 3-0 win at Stirling last Saturday.

Accordingly that has set up undoubtedly the biggest clash been the sides since the play-off final of 2010 at Station Park this Saturday, with the home side’s advantage at the top of the table now cut to one point.

However as mentioned above the Athies go into the game on the back of probably their best performance of the calendar year at  the Forthbank Stadium against what was the league’s form side.   Skipper Gavin Swankie and his team mates as rightly acknowledged by ‘Binos’ boss Dave MacKay dominated proceedings at Stirling from the first to the ninetieth minute, with Danny Denholm netting a brace, Jim Lister the scorer of the opening counter.

Danny’s goals at Forthbank took his tally for the season to eleven, joining Josh Peters and David Cox in the double figure bracket, Lewis Milne and Jim Lister both having bagged nine to date.

While the ‘Loons’ were picking up their three point haul last weekend, Arbroath were certainly banishing the 1-0 defeat to Montrose the previous week to the ‘history books’ with a 5-2 success down at Annan, Steven Doris netting a hat trick of headers in the process.

Back to this Saturday and while Arbroath report no fresh injury worries or suspensions, the home side go into the game minus Thomas O’Brien and David Cox who both serve a one match ban having picked up their sixth booking of the season against Berwick two weeks back.

On the plus side Jamie Bain returns to the back four to replace O’Brien, Lewis Milne and Aiden Malone potential candidates to fill the void left by Cox’s absence.

Whoever takes to the field at 3p.m. on Saturday for both sides, an intense ninety minutes is assured and it is to be hoped that the fans of both clubs will turn out in numbers to back their favourites.

All concerned and both managers have been keen to emphasise this will realise that nothing will be decided come 4.55p.m. on the day, with both sides facing a further four tough games in what is now undoubtedly a ‘two horse’ race for the title with the second placed ‘runner’ come May 6th bound nevertheless for the dreaded play-offs.

The referee for the contest is Capital City based Gavin Ross handling a competitive ‘Loons’ fixture for amazingly the fifth time this season.

Admission charges are £13 for adults, £7 concessions for the stand, £12/6 for the terracing.

The match is sponsored by Graham & Sibbald, with all four hospitality lounges fully occupied as usual.

The 1984 Lounge at the ground will be open from 12.30p.m. till kick-off and on the final whistle till approximately 8p.m. with the Grand National live on the wide screen television at 5.15p. m.