Elgin City v Forfar Athletic – match preview

The ‘Loons’ make the lengthy trek north, especially for our players from the Edinburgh and Glasgow areas to Elgin on Saturday looking to pick up a first victory at Boroughbriggs this season at the third time of asking.

The Station Park squad obviously travel in good spirits, their unbeaten run in the cinch league2 extended to ten matches, following what was undoubtedly a hard fought, in fact at times dour 1-1 draw at home to league leaders Stenhousemuir last weekend.

Andy Munro and his colleagues all of whom have made a significant contribution deserve great credit for their consistent level of performance since just before Christmas, their current run of form now eclipsing the nine game run of Gary Bollan’s squad in the 2016/17 campaign, which was until last weekend the best of modern times.

Yet again last Saturday the depth of the squad at present was emphasised. Ray made a few changes to the starting eleven despite the victory the previous weekend, knowing he also had the luxury of a strong bench, epitomised by the performances of those called into action during the second period, notably Keiran Inglis whose pinpoint cross laid the equaliser on a plate to allow Adam Hutchinson to net his first counter of the campaign.

Adam on the day was indeed a deserved man of the match following his goal apart a faultless performance at the back.

Back to this Saturday’s fixture and the good news is that Josh Skelly is fit and raring to go after a three weeks on the sidelines due to injury, Tomas Brindley though not quite as yet ready to resume active service.

Elgin under the stewardship of former Huntly boss Allan Hale these days are in good fettle themselves clinching a vital three points at Stair Park last Saturday with a 2-1 win over ten man Stranraer, Connal Ewan and Freddy Jeffreys their scorers.

This followed a 1-0 home success over Bonnyrigg, Russell Dingwall the marksman on this occasion.

City appointed a new Chairman earlier in the week so no doubt the home players will be keen to impress the new man at the top and move above their visitors in the league standings.

It will be the fifth competitive game between the sides this term, including an SPFL Trophy tie back in mid August which the home side won courtesy of a penalty shoot-out.

In league matches it is all square as they say, a win apiece plus a goalless draw. The Athies triumphed on the last occasion the sides met back in January, Russell McLean marking his return to Station Park with both ‘Loons’ second half goals, the second from the penalty spot in added on time.

Ray McKinnon is well aware that it will be no easy task for his squad on Saturday but the players are not surprisingly in good spirits at present and all will travel with only one thought in mind, three important points to be secured come 5p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

Referee for the Boroughbriggs clash is Alastair Grieve who was in fact the man in the middle for the January meeting of the sides and he also took control of Forfar’s away fixture at Stranraer only three weeks back.

Kick-off is as usual at 3p.m.

Admission prices at Elgin are as follows;-
Stand – Adults £16, Concessions £11.
Ground – Adults £14, concessions £9
Stand admission is by ticket purchased in advance only, see full details on Elgin City website.

Ground admission by either ticket purchased in advance or cash payment at turnstile on day.
Under 16’s admitted free of charge to ground if accompanied by a paying adult.

Saturday’s other cinch league2 fixtures;- Clyde v The Spartans, Dumbarton v Bonnyrigg Rose, East Fife v Stranraer, Stenhousemuir v Peterhead