Match Preview – Forfar Athletic v Montrose

Ladbrokes League 1

Venue – Station Park

Date – Saturday 27^th April

Admission Prices – Stand – Adults £15   Concessions (65& over) £9    Under 17’s £5   

                                       Terracing – Adults £14   Concessions £8   Under 17’s £5   

                                       Forfar Athletic season tickets valid for this fixture

Turnstiles will be open at 2.15p.m. prompt.    At the main turnstile block for terracing bound supporters in Carseview Road, two adult and two concession turnstiles will be in operation.    FAFC terracing season ticket holders should enter through the gate at the mart end of the turnstile block.   FAFC Officials ask all supporters to arrive as early as possible and co-operate with the stewards at all times.

Current League Positions – Forfar Athletic – 2^nd – 57 points from 34 games   Montrose 4^th – 50 points from 34  games

Previous Results this season

Forfar Athletic 3 Montrose 1 (Betfred Cup) at Station Park on 25.7.18

Montrose 2 Forfar Athletic 2 at Links Park on 29.9.18

Forfar Athletic 2 Montrose 1 at Station Park on 15.12.18

Montrose 2 Forfar Athletic 0 at Links Park on 16.2.19

Summary – The last of twelve local derbies in this season’s Ladbrokes League 1 campaign for both Forfar Athletic and Montrose takes place at Station Park on Saturday and what an important fixture it is for both clubs.

The ‘Loons’ go into the game with a playoff spot secured but still determined to finish in the runners-up spot in the table.   Jim Weir’s troops currently hold a slender one point advantage over Raith Rovers with two games remaining.

The ‘Gable Endies’ on the back of an amazing run of five wins in their last six outings have moved from being potential playoff participants at the wrong end of the table to being within two points of securing fourth spot and the final place in the end of season nerve tingler at the right end of the table. 

 In fact with their superior goal difference over East Fife, barring a disaster, one point would probably see Stewart Petrie’s side over the line.

Hopefully, both sides will be rewarded for their efforts with a larger than might have been anticipated attendance at this Saturday’s fixture, the home side going into the game on the back of a very comprehensive win over Stenhousemuir at Ochilview last weekend.

The win over the ‘Warriors’ was a real team effort with not a failure in the Athies ranks.    Marc McCallum was rarely called into action but did all that was required, while the defence stood solid throughout, the midfield/engine room at their creative best, while up front Dale Hilson and John Baird looked sharp throughout, thriving on the service provided by their ever willing teammates.

Thankfully the squad would also appear to have come through the ninety minutes without any injury concerns.

A repeat performance on Saturday will suit the home fans without a doubt.

Montrose who had six former ‘Loons’ in their starting line-up, as well as one on the bench, defeated Airdrie 2-1 in the Links Park sunshine last Saturday, the evergreen Ross Campbell and Terry Masson their scorers.

The ‘Loons’ manager Jim Weir has overseen a remarkable turnaround this term at Station Park following on a first-quarter which yielded only seven points and ended with that dire 4-0 home defeat from East Fife.

He certainly deserves all the credit that comes his way for that achievement, no matter what the outcome over the remainder of this ten-month campaign.

However, with the first target of a play-off place secured, Jim, his backroom staff and Michael Travis and colleagues will be keen to carry a winning mentality and momentum into the doubleheader with Raith Rovers, of that there is no doubt.

A final word.    As said so often this season it has been a real ‘team’ effort by all concerned at the club.   Montrose will no doubt bring a vociferous support with them on Saturday, so a message to the home fans.

Get right behind the players from the first whistle and hopefully help to make it another afternoon to remember.

Match Officials – Referee –  David Dickinson   Assistants – Gary Hilland & Chris Rae

Match Sponsors – Strathmore Potato Company Ltd.

Hospitality Complex Guests –  Alick Archibald & Friends, Roy Innes & Friends, Gordon Patullo & Friends, David Shepherd & Friends

Match Ball Sponsor – Benny Soave

Supporters Information –

The 1984 Lounge at Station Park will be open from 12.30p.m. till kick-off.    The lounge will re-open on the final whistle until approximately 8/9p.m.

Club Shop open prior to kick-off and during the half-time interval.    Seats can be booked at the Club Shop for Supporters Coach to East Fife on May 4^th.

Match Programme priced at £2 and 50/50 tickets available from vendors inside the ground.

The Forfar Athletic Player of the Year Awards will be announced and presented on the pitch some ten/fifteen minutes after the conclusion of Saturday’s fixture.