FORFAR ATHLETIC vs STRANRAER MATCH PREVIEW

Tonight’s Premier Sports match against Stranraer will be the first of at least five fixtures between the two cinch League 2 teams this season. 

Both teams go into the tie looking to pick up their first points of the series of Group H matches. It should be said both sides have faced strong Championship opposition who will surely be contending at the top end of that table come the end of next season. Stranraer have been on the end of defeats at home to Queen’s Park (2-5) and Dundee (0-3), and away to Hamilton (5-2). Meanwhile the Loons, despite passages of good play in both games, have lost away to Queen’s Park (4-1) and at home to Hamilton (0-3) on Saturday past. 

Looking ahead to the tie manager, Gary Irvine said “Tonight’s game will be a gauge for ourselves with Stranraer being in our division. We knew the first couple of games in the group were going to be a tough ask but we go into this game looking to correct mistakes we’ve come up against in pre-season and early in this campaign. Stranraer will also be looking to test themselves against us so it should be an even match and a good opportunity for both sides to assess things ahead of the league campaign. 

“In terms of the games so far, we’ve had tough opponents but that was deliberate in the pre-season games,” said Irvine. “It’s hard work and if you come up against higher level opposition you expose mistakes. That helps to show what you need to work on and so learning from those difficult situations should make you stronger as a group. It has given us lots to review, and we are still working to make sure we are heading in the right direction for the league games which is of course the main priority. While I think the lads showed Hamilton too much respect at the weekend I cannot fault the effort or the fitness levels. They have been working their socks off both at training and with their own training programmes. We also have a lot of quality in the squad and the lads just need to get the belief that they can implement what they do in training in matches. Tonight should give them that opportunity against another League 2 side.” 

Last season’s matches between the sides saw the Loons take maximum points in two visits to Stair Park with the fixtures at Station Park ending in one win and one draw for the Loons. Across the four matches the Loons scored nine goals to Stranraer’s five in reply and supporters at tonight’s match will be hoping for a few goals. 

The Loons squad will be along the same lines as Saturday, except for Andy Munro who misses out due to suspension. Andy picked up a booking in Saturday’s match against Hamilton and that added to an earlier caution means the defender sits out this evening’s tie. The injury to Darren Whyte is still being assessed and James Keatings and Nathan Flannagan are still working back to full fitness. 

Looking at the recent additions to the squad Gary said, “Even before last Tuesday’s match and Darren’s injury I wanted to bring in a couple more defensive options. We are hoping the injury to Darren is not as serious as first thought but we are waiting for a scan to assess the situation. Of course, that increases the urgency to get someone else in. Tarek (Abed) is one option. As the supporters will have seen in recent matches, he can play full-back, he can play in front of a full back or in a wide right position and so far he has done well. He has been with us in training from day one this summer. He came through the Kilmarnock set-up and has a great attitude. He has a lot of attributes to add to the squad as a full back and attacking wise. I do feel that we need another defensive option, and I am still working hard on that and have been for a couple of weeks. It’s a bit slower this season than this time last year especially with the loan market but that is still the plan. 

“I was pleased to get Josh Jack on board,” confirmed Irvine. “Josh plays midfield but is also attack minded – he has great ability and can use both feet. I liked what I saw playing against him at Clyde and what he impressed last season when he was at Albion Rovers. When I heard he was leaving St Mirren I was keen to get him signed up.” Irvine continued, “In terms of James Keatings and Nathan Flanagan they are both working back to full fitness. James is not an injury but he is getting back up to match fitness as his last game was a few months ago. He’s been working hard with Taz (Mark Farrell the Sports Scientist and Fitness Coach) and there are positive signs so I am hopeful he will be in the squad for the league games. He will be a great addition – he’s an experienced striker who’s played at a high level and will be a great asset and help to the other strikers. It’s been frustrating for Nathan because he is a player who will be exciting for the fans. He can play on both sides and is a creative player. Unfortunately, he picked up an injury on day one of pre-season and has been working with the Physio Lara (Jordan) to get over it for the last few weeks. There’s been some positive signs this last week and he shouldn’t be too far away from the squad.” 

ADMISSION DETAILS 

Kick-off – 7.45pm

Pay at the gate (cash only):

Adult £12

Concession (65&over( £7)

Under 17’s £4

A reminder that season tickets are not valid. 

A PPV live stream will be available for £8 and can be accessed via https://forfarathletic.univtec.com Please note this is an automated camera system and there will be no commentary. Limited technical support will be available from 6pm onwards so please register and log-in early to ensure you are able to stream the match. 

The 1984 Lounge will be open from 6.30pm to kick-off but will not reopen after the match. It will also not be open at half-time for Half-time voucher holders. 

Although season tickets are not valid for this evening’s fixture, they will be on sale in the 1984 Lounge from 6.30pm to 7pm. 

Tickets for this Saturday’s match vs Dundee will also be on sale in the Lounge during this period and in the Club Shop before kick-off and at half time. Please note that these sales are CASH only. 

Tonight’s other Group H fixture sees Queen’s Park host Dundee with both sides joint top after two matches alongside Hamilton on six points albeit the Accies have played three games.