MATCH PREVIEW: Forfar Athletic v Raith Rovers

It does not get any easier for Jim Weir and his squad.    After entertaining second top of the table Ayr United, they are now faced with a visit from top of the table Raith Rovers this Saturday.

Rovers head to Station Park following the first half abandonment of their game down at Stranraer last Saturday as ‘Storm Brian’ hit the Wigtownshire coast.

The Starks Park outfit currently therefore sit two points clear of Ayr United a the top of the table with that game in hand over Ian McCall’s side.

They have lost only once in the league this season, a 2-1 reverse at Albion Rovers in September and are also in the quarter finals of the Irn Bru Cup following an impressive win at St. Mirren.

However the home side will have to banish from their mindset the catalogue of defensive errors that led to an eventual 5-0 defeat last time out and relish the challenge that lies ahead as we try to resurrect out season.

No one is kidding, it will be no easy task against Barry Smith’s side and again the new man at the Station Park helm’s options are limited by injury.

Simon Mensing and Jim Lister remain out of the equation while a couple of other members of the first team squad are rated very doubtful for the game.

With the transfer window slammed shut at present, it is no easy task to augment the squad with only the option of an emergency loan open and few if any quality players available through this method at the present time.

Certainly the home defence will have to be on their mettle to cope with the striking prowess of Lewis Vaughan whose goal tally this season is already well into double figures.

The ‘Loons’ though will take heart from their performance at Starks Park back in August when despite being down to ten men from just past the half hour mark following Jamie Bain’s red card, they held Raith to 1-1 until the dying embers of the contest, prior to two late goals sealing their fate.

Saturday’s game will be refereed by Aberdeenshire based second season Grade One official Graham Beaton.

The match is sponsored by those great supporters of the club over the years, Findlay & Company, the Dundee based Accountants, while all four lounges in the complex are full to capacity.

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

As usual the 1984 Lounge will be open from 12.30p.m. till kick-off and again on the final whistle until approximately 8p.m.   All supporters welcome.