Forfar Athletic v Cowdenbeath – match preview

Cowdenbeath under the management of former Hearts stalwart Calum Elliot will be the ‘first foots’ to the newly re-named Alpha Projects Stadium @ Station Park on Saturday first as competitive football returns in the shape of the @loons’ opening Group H fixture in the Viaplay Cup.

Local rivals Montrose and Arbroath and Premier League St. Mirren are the other sides in what is to say the least a tough section and Ray McKinnon and his players will certainly be keen to get off on the right foot with a victory over their Lowland League rivals on match day one.

Ray is very much looking forward to both the immediate task in hand and to the season as a whole.

With ten close season signings it is in many ways a new look side who have in the main impressed in pre-season fixtures and as the manager is quick to point out in training sessions into the bargain, an important point to emphasise at this time.

The manager will have a sixteen player squad at his disposal for the visit of the Fifers following the signing in the last 24 hours of Finn Robson, Andy Munro and Darren Whyte the absentees.

Thankfully Darren’s absence is not a recurrence of his knee problems but a hand injury sustained during the Lochee United match last week.

It is therefore highly likely that more than a handful of players will make their competitive debuts for the home side on Saturday, always a mouth watering and interesting prospect for the fans at this time of the year.

One thing is for certain the opponents on the day will not be treated lightly and this point will be hammered home without doubt to the players pre-match.

The Central Park outfit will be making their first visit to Forfar since March of 2022, their near 120 year stay in either the SFL or the SPFL sadly coming to an end two months later with play-off heartache against Bonnyrigg Rose.

They finished a disappointing 15th in their debut Lowland League campaign but with a new management team in place have announced their intention to mount a challenge this time round at the right end of the table in what will again be a highly competitive division.

In pre-season they have already shown improved form losing out by the odd goal on each occasion in away clashes with Stenhousemuir and East Fife.

The referee for Saturday’s fixture is Colin Whyte who handled the Athies midweek away fixture in February at Bonnyrigg.
The kick-off is at the normal time of 3p.m.
As previously announced reduced admission charges of £12 adults and £6 concessions will be levied.

Forfar Athletic season tickets are not valid for League Cup ties.

If the scores are level at the end of the ninety scheduled minutes, a penalty shoot-out will take place with a bonus point awarded to the winners.

The 1984 Lounge at the ground will be open to supporters from 1.30p.m. till kick-off and on the final whistle until approximately 6.30p.m.

The Club Shop and Refreshment Kiosk within the ground will both be open as usual.

The other Group H tie on Saturday is at Links Park where Montrose will entertain St. Mirren.

The ‘Loons then head to Montrose on Tuesday evening of next week, while Arbroath welcome Cowdenbeath to Gayfield on Wednesday.