Forfar Athletic v Peterhead – match preview
Venue –Alpha Projects Stadium @ Station Park – ko 3p.m.
Saturday 17th February, 2024
cinch league 2 – match no 24
Stand admission charges are;-
Adults £15
65 & over £9
Under 17’s £5
Terracing admission charges are;-
Adults £14
65& over £8
Under 17’s £5
Payment by cash at turnstile
Forfar Athletic Season Tickets are of course valid for this fixture
1984 Lounge
The 1984 Lounge at the ground will be open to all supporters attending the fixture from 12.30p.m. to 2.50p.m. The lounge will re-open again on the final whistle till approximately 8p.m.
The Refreshment Kiosk and Club Shop will be open as usual at the fixture.
50/50 tickets will be on sale from vendors within the ground and within the 1984 Lounge.
PREVIEW
Following three wins and three draws in their last seven cinch league2 outings, the ‘Loons’ will head into Saturday’s home game with Peterhead in relatively confident mood.
Despite the accumulation of those twelve points since Christmas weekend, the Athies still occupy ninth place in the table, ten points it has to be said clear of bottom placed Clyde and with East Fife, Stranraer, Elgin City and Bonnyrigg Rose all in close proximity.
Manager Ray McKinnon is first to acknowledge that being able to field a fairly settled starting line-up in recent weeks has been a luxury after a plethora of injuries and illness at times earlier in the campaign.
Last weekend at Dumbarton he made only one change from the previous week’s success at home to Spartans, Mark Whatley recalled in a tactical move once conditions on arrival at the Dumbarton Stadium had been assessed, Dylan Lobban settling for a seat on the bench.
Once again for the visit of second in the table Peterhead, changes are likely to be kept to a minimum with a clean bill of health reported.
Ray was delighted with the point picked up against the ‘Sons’ though slightly disappointed in the manner his side conceded both goals on the day.
However the togetherness and spirit in the ranks was emphasised on the day with Stuart Morrison now the club’s top scorer with seven goals to his name to date and Rayan Mohammed pulling their side level as they twice fell behind to the home eleven.
On a murky day on the banks of the Clyde, the ‘Loons’ second goal was certainly made in Dundee, with youngster Finlay Allan providing the ‘ammunition’ for his fellow Dens Park loanee to net his first goal for the Station Park outfit from close range.
The fact that both players were second half substitutes perhaps showing hopefully the depth of the Forfar squad at present as we approach the ‘business end’ of the campaign.
The ‘Blue Toon’ outfit head south with former ‘Loons’ midfielder Jordon Brown one of a two man joint management team alongside Ryan Strachan.
They currently sit sixteen points adrift of leaders Stenhousemuir, their last league game two weeks back resulting in a 1-1 draw away to Clyde, Rory McAllister netting an injury time penalty to secure the point.
The Balmoor outfit made one prominent January capture, Peter Pawlett formerly of Aberdeen and Dundee United signing on the dotted line.
Andy Munro and his colleagues picked up an excellent three point haul on a snowy Saturday just a couple of days before Christmas up at Peterhead, a double from Seb Ross sealing a 2-1 victory.
A repeat performance would certainly please the home support this weekend.
Both teams also have a midweek fixture to look forward to. Forfar head to Hamilton on Tuesday night to face Clyde, the first of three successive away fixtures, while Peterhead will welcome Bonnyrigg to the North East.
Saturday’s game will be refereed by George Calder, the third time he has handled an Athies fixture this season.
C’mon the ‘Loons’
Match Sponsor – D&A Factors Ltd.
Hospitality Guests – Bill & Malloch Nicoll & Friends, Drew & Graham Wilson & Friends, Louise Taylor with family & friends
1984 Lounge Hospitality – Valerie Galley & Friends
Saturday’s other cinch league2 fixtures;- Bonnyrigg Rose v East Fife, Clyde v Dumbarton, Elgin City v Stenhousemuir, Stranraer v The Spartans
