Forfar Athletic v Brechin City – match preview
Venue – Station Park – Saturday 13th July – ko 3 p.m.
Betfred Cup – Group B
Competitive action returns for Forfar Athletic and Brechin City on Saturday when the Betfred Cup commences with a tasty local derby.
What will make it, even more, tastier will be the fact that the ‘Loons’ will have three players in their ranks namely Sean Burns, Andy Jackson and Scott Robertson who made the short journey from the Glebe to Station Park in the close season.
That number could, of course, have been four but Callum Tapping serves a one-match ban following a red card issued in City’s final sectional game last July.
Manager Jim Weir has been well pleased with pre-season training and the three friendly fixtures played. Undoubtedly the sharpness and togetherness of the squad has improved game on game and all connected with the club are in relatively good heart going into Saturday’s contest.
The home support will no doubt be intrigued to see Jim’s first competitive starting eleven, but the manager has to date has given little away on that score. Certainly, the display in pre-season of a few who one might have expected to be on the ‘fringe’ will have given the manager a few headaches of the right kind to resolve.
City following relegation have lost the vast majority of their squad, only Dougie Hill and keeper Paddy O’Neill remaining, the former like Tapping due to serve a one match ban on Saturday.
Eleven new faces have been brought in to date with another two or three likely to be registered prior to Saturday’s kick-off.
The new faces include the vastly experienced Paul McManus and Ryan McCord, while earlier this week Ross Brown who was virtually an ever present last term with Berwick joined the Glebe Park ranks.
One familiar face for the home support in City colours will be defender Chris McLauchlin who made eighteen appearances for the ‘Loons’ in the second half of the 2016/17 season on loan from at the time Ross County.
One has to accept that in most pundits ‘eyes’ the home side will start as favourites on Saturday, but in reality, there is no such thing ain a derby fixture and Jim Weir will be emphasising that to his players pre-match.
A hard-fought ninety minutes will be in store without doubt.
Referee – Duncan Williams Assistant Referees – Ivan Stankovic & Chris Phillips
In the sectional ties, three points are awarded for a win.
If the match ends in a draw after 90 minutes, each side receives one point. A penalty shoot-out then takes place under FIFA regulations and the winning side in the shoot- out receives one bonus point.
In the other Group B fixture being played on Saturday, Ross County entertain Montrose.
Admission prices – Adults £12 Concessions (under 17’s and 65 & over) £6
Please note Forfar Athletic season tickets are not valid for this game.
Season tickets will be on sale within the 1984 Lounge from 2 p.m. to 2.45p.m.
The 1984 Lounge will be open from 1 p.m. till kick-off. It will re-open on the final whistle until around 6.30p.m.
The Club Shop will be open with replicas of the club’s new gold/navy change strip in stock.
Fixture lists and a limited number of team sheets will be available free of charge from the Club Shop, Refreshment Kiosk or within the 1984 Lounge.
