Match Preview – Montrose v Forfar Athletic
[Thursday, 14 February 2019 15:34]
Ladbrokes League 1
Venue – Links Park
Date – Saturday, February 16th – kick-off 3 p.m.
Admission Prices – Adults £15 Concessions £8 Parent & Child £18
League Positions – Montrose 5th – 32 points from 24 games Forfar Athletic 3rd – 40 points from 24 games
Previous Results this Season – Forfar Athletic 3 Montrose 1 at Station Park on 25.7.18 (Betfred Cup) Montrose 2 Forfar Athletic 2 at Links Park on 29.9.18 Forfar Athletic 2 Montrose 1 at Station Park on 15.12.18
Summary – The ‘Loons’ head to Links Park on Saturday on the back of a six-game unbeaten run in league fixtures, knowing however that they will be in for a real battle against Stewart Petrie’s ‘troops.’
Forfar manager Jim Weir is likely to have the luxury of a fully fit nineteen man pool to choose from with Brad Spencer returning after his two-match ban. Jim made a few changes last week to the starting line-up, one enforced and Loons fans will be intrigued to learn of the final choice for the clash with the Gable Endies.
All at Station Park were buoyed by the midweek news concerning Adam Eckersley and Darren Whyte on the back of last week’s 2-0 triumph over Airdrie a match in which Gary Irvine made a sensational scoring home debut.
Last Saturday also saw a continuation of the team ethic which has served the Athies so well over the past couple of months and despite the conditions some excellent football was the order of the day especially against the elements in the second period.
Montrose slipped eight points behind Forfar following their 1-0 defeat at Stenhousemuir last Saturday a former Station Park loanee Greg Hurst the ‘Warriors’ scorer. However, the Links Park men were in great form two weeks ago on home ‘soil’ thumping Brechin City 5-2.
Stewart Petrie made two signings in the January ‘window’ Lewis Milne returning from Raith Rovers while striker Russell McLean arrived from Peterhead.
The two league clashes between the sides this term have been close and hard-fought affairs with the ‘Gable Endies’ fighting back from two down to get a share of the spoils at Links Park in late September, two Dale Hilson goals in horrendous overhead conditions at Station Park in December clinching the three points for the home side.
Hopefully, fans of both sides will turn out in numbers this Saturday and give both sets of players the support their efforts to date this season deserve.
Match Officials – Referee – Euan Anderson Assistants – Ross Haswell & Kevin Lindsay
