MATCH PREVIEW: Forfar Athletic v Alloa Athletic

Forfar Athletic and Alloa Athletic meet in a scheduled league fixture at Station Park for the first time since February of 2013 this coming Saturday, although their paths have crossed since in an end of season play-off fixture.

The ‘Loons’ return to home ‘soil’ where they comprehensively defeated East Fife last time out on the back of three consecutive away defeats all by the narrowest of margins.

Manager Jim Weir is also hit by a crippling injury list which was added to following last week’s fixture at Airdrie with the news that David Cox will be out of action for a few weeks.

Of course Eddie Malone will also be an absentee for the next two weeks as he serves a two match suspension following his red card at the Excelsior.

With no further temporary transfers available to the Station Park club until January and the registration window closed, recently appointed coach Kevin McNaughton has also been registered as a player and is likely to be in the pool for the visit of the ‘Wasps.’

However with players of the quality of Josh Peters, Lewis Milne and on loan Dunfermline duo Scott Lochhead and Conner Duthie all available from last week’s subs bench there is no reason why a three point haul cannot be secured by the home side.

Alloa head north following 2-1 defeats over the past two Saturday’s to promotion hopefuls Ayr United and Raith Rovers.   Under the stewardship of Jim Goodwin the Recreation Park outfit currently sit fourth in the league table, with twenty-one points from the fourteen games played.

Earlier in the campaign, Alloa picked up the three points against the Athies courtesy of a 2-1 win at the Indodrill Stadium.     Ousman See had given the visitors a 52nd minute lead, before goals from Kevin Cawley in the 86th minute and Kris Renton deep into added on time sealed the ‘Loons’ fate.

Saturday’s game will be refereed by Glasgow based Craig Napier who will be handling a ‘Loons’ fixture for the third time this season.

That great supporter of the ‘Loons’ cause Iain Bett is the Match Sponsor, while as ever it is a ‘full house’ as far as Hospitality Packages are concerned.

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

A reminder that Archie Knox will be a most welcome guest on Saturday and he will be signing his recently published autobiography in the 1984 Lounge from 1.45p.m. till 2.15p.m. and then in the Club Shop till kick-off.

The 1984 Lounge itself will be open from 12.30p.m. till kick-off and again on the final whistle till approximately 8p.m.