Peterhead v Forfar Athletic – match preview

The ‘Loons’ make their first visit since May of 2021 to the Balmoor Stadium on Saturday to face a Peterhead side who following a 2-1 home win over Clyde last Saturday sit second in the cinch league2 table, five points behind leaders Stenhousemuir.

Manager Ray McKinnon is looking for an improvement on the second half performance against Dumbarton last weekend, especially knowing the challenge ahead against a home outfit who triumphed 3-1 earlier in the campaign against the Athies at Station Park.

The ‘Loons management team do not have their troubles to seek with Andy Munro as expected ruled out following the injury he sustained in the early part of the clash with the ‘Sons’, while two or three other squad members will require assessment as regards illness of injury prior to kick-off.

It will also be Roberto Nditi’s final game for the club for over a month at the very least as he prepares to head off to the African Cup of Nations next midweek.

To improve the match fitness of certain members of the playing pool, a bounce game against top Tayside junior outfit Broughty Athletic was arranged for Tuesday past and hopefully the exercise will have proved beneficial.

Peterhead jointly managed by former Forfar midfield player Jordon Brown and Ryan Strachan have probably exceeded their own expectations to date this season, following relegation in the spring, but there is no doubting the consistency of their league form in particular from day one.

They will go into the game however without talisman Rory McAllister shown a second yellow card in the dying embers of the clash with the ‘Bully Wee.’
As mentioned the Blue Toon outfit picked up the points in the previous clash between the sides back in early October.

On the day Peterhead led through two first half counters from Connor O’Keefe, Josh Skelly pulling one back early in the second period, before Rory McAllister sealed the home side’s fate in the 84th minute of the contest.

The ‘Loons’ management and players after what all realise has been a disappointing first half of the season will no doubt be keen to secure some reward from their trip to the Buchan coast, bringing with it as it would some Christmas cheer to all involved.

Duncan Nicolson is the referee for Saturday’s contest, the third time he will have had control of a Forfar fixture this season.

This weekend’s other cinch league2 fixtures;- Friday - East Fife v Bonyrigg Rose,
Saturday - Dumbarton v Clyde, Stenhousemuir v Elgin City, The Spartans v Stranraer

For those making the trip, admission prices are as follows;-
Stand
Adults £17
Concessions £10
Under 13’s £2
Ground
Adults £15
Concessions £8
Under 13’s foc if accompanied by an adult
There are no cash turnstiles available at Peterhead. Tickets can be purchased online, see the Peterhead website or alternatively direct from the PFC ticket office which will be open from 1p.m. on match day. The office is well sign posted and is located in the car park adjacent to the main stand.

The Social Club at Balmoor is open prior to kick-off with all supporters welcome.