Edinburgh City v Forfar Athletic – match preview

Forfar Athletic head to the Capital City for Friday nightcinch league2 action against Edinburgh City.

A victory at Ainslie Park would of course put the ‘Loons’ within four points of leaders Kelty Hearts and perhaps just put a wee bit of pressure on the Fifers ahead of their trip the following day to Stranraer.

The Athies head to Edinburgh on the back of 2-0 home win over Stirling Albion courtesy of second half counters from Craig Slater and Stefan McCluskey, that victory coming on the back of an odd goal in five success at Coatbridge the previous weekend.

Their Friday night opponents lost their last home game two weeks back against Annan Athletic, the final score line 1-0, prior to rescuing a point away at Stenhousmuir last Saturday, top scorer John Robertson netting in the 86^th minute to make the final score on the day 2-2.

Those results saw City slip out of the top four, albeit on goal difference, ten points adrift of the Station Park outfit’s current tally.

Gary Irvine will make a late selection with a few injury and illness worries, a similar prospect in store it would appear for a few teams over the coming weeks.

Craig Thomson and Darren Whyte definitely remain on the side lines, while Jamie Ness and Sam Fisher injured during last week’s encounter were classed as very doubtful earlier in the week.

Callum Moore signed on Wednesday evening will be in the match day squad.

Hopefully Luke Strachan who was a late absentee against the ‘Binos’ will return to back four action.

When the sides met at Station Park back on the second week of the league season, the home side collected all three points courtesy of a 2-0 win.

An early counter from Matty Aitken on the day was complimented by a Mark Gallagher goal deep into added on time.

Friday night’s encounter will without doubt prove a tough test for a depleted Forfar squad but it is a player pool with undoubted depth this term and confidence and spirits are at a high level.

The kick-off at Ainslie Park the home of Spartans FC and the ‘Citizens’ temporary headquarters is at 7.45p.m.

Admission prices are £14 for adults, £9 concessions.   

Under 12’s are admitted free if accompanied by a paying adult.

The referee for the clash is the experienced Alan Newlands.

Saturday’s cinch league 2 fixtures;- Cowdenbeath v Albion Rovers, Elgin City v Stenhousemuir, Stirling Albion v Annan Athletic, Stranraer v Kelty Hearts