Airdrieonians v Forfar Athletic – match preview

[Thursday, 01 August 2019 14:29]

Ladbrokes League 1

Venue – Penny Cars Stadium

Date – Saturday, 3^rd August – kick-off 3 p.m.

Admission Prices – Adults £17 Concessions £10 Under 16’s £7 Parent & Child £20

Summary – For the third season running, the ‘Loons’ and the ‘Diamonds’ clash on the opening day of the league campaign.

Last season Airdrie triumphed courtesy of three late counters in the Station Park sunshine, the four games between the sides last term ending two wins apiece.

Going into the new season it is interesting to note that league sponsors Ladbrokes have Airdrie as third favourites to lift the title at 10/1 with Forfar fourth in line at 14/1. Amazingly Falkirk are red hot favourites at 4/7 on.

The Lanarkshire outfit under the management of Ian Murray for a second term have made a staggering sixteen close-season signings, to many to mention here, but they do include Adam Eckersley who of course spent the second half of last season on loan to the Athies from then-parent club St. Mirren.

In their Betfred Cup section, the ‘Diamonds’ finished in third spot following a 3-2 win over Clyde, a penalty shoot-out success against Queens Park and defeats by a one-goal margin from Partick Thistle and Hamilton Accies.

Jim Weir and his players head into the game in confident mood following their win over St. Johnstone last Saturday which propelled them into the last sixteen stages of the Betfred Cup.

No fresh injury worries are reported, but sadly skipper Michael Travis is an absentee serving the first game of a two-match suspension following his sending off in the Play-Off Semi-Final in May.

The overall performance of the Station Park squad in their four Betfred ties was very encouraging to say the least. Last Saturday, in particular, it was almost the perfect team display with not a failure insight, the work rate and fitness level especially following the gruelling outing at Dingwall the previous midweek exceptional.

Saturday, however, will be different ‘ball’ game entirely. Following two fixtures against full-time teams, they will this time face opponents with a mix of part and full-time players and know it will be no easy task.

However, we are sure it is one they will relish.

Match Officials – Referee – Kevin Graham Assistants – Ivan Stankovic & Kevin McElhinney

Supporters Coach – There are still seats available on the Supporters Coach to Airdrie on Saturday leaving the Myre Car Park at 12 noon prompt. The cost is £12 for adults, £10 for Under 17’s. To book a seat text 07803208502 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.