Forfar Athletic 1 Stranraer 1

Saturday 28 August 2021

SPFL cinch League 2

Station Park, Forfar

The Loons cinch League 2 unbeaten record continues, but in a similar vein to last Saturday there was disappointment that the chances to take the three points were not converted. Instead the home side had to settle for a point with Stranraer's Darryl Duffy 69th minute goal cancelling out an earlier strike from Craig Slater.

Again, similar to the Elgin last Saturday, the Loons started brightly at a warm Station Park with an early free header in the box for Andy Munro going wide. A tremendous cross from Craig Thomson found Matty Aitken four yards out but the Stranraer trialist keeper did well to prevent the Loons striker from opening the scoring.  Further chances fell to Slater, Aitken and the industrious Stefan McCluskey before a great run by Ross Meechan ended with a curled left footed shot striking the post. Despite the Loons numerous chances in the first half the sides left the field all square. 

The home side's dominance continued into the second half with Thomson causing problems for the Stranraer defence. He combined well with Aitken setting up Slater in the 54th minute to fire the ball home to put the Loons ahead. 

Further chances fell to the Station Park side, notably a bicycle kick from Steven Anderson clipping the bar although he was judged to be off-side!  A few minutes later the Stair Park side were level with the Loons defence failing to clear a corner and Darryl Duffy scoring at the back post. 

Scott Shepherd replaced Aitken with ten minutes to go and almost put Forfar ahead again, when a  great ball from Grant Anderson flashed just past him in front of goal. Archie Thomas went close with a late strike before Stranraer almost snatched a winner in added time. 

The result sees the Loons retain third spot but now joined by Stirling Albion who they will play at Forthbank in the next cinch League 2 fixture on 11 September.  Next Saturday there is a break from league action and a visit to Stark's Park to play Raith Rovers in the SPFL Trust Trophy. 

Referee: Scott Lambie

Attendance: 445

Loons Line-up:

1 McCallum

2 Meechan

19 Munro 

4 S Anderson

3 Strachan

24 Crossan  ? G Anderson 57'

10 Slater ⚽️ 54'

14 Thomas

7 Thomson

17 McCluskey

 9 Aitken ? Shepherd 79'

10 Slater

Substitutes

5 Travis

11 G Anderson

12 Doris

18 Shepherd

21 Sanderson

23 Irvine

Stranraer Line-up

1 Trialist

22 McIntosh

5 Sonkur ? 41'

2 Robertson ? 65'

3 Burns

23 Smith ?Moore 87'

10 Watson

8 Gallagher ? 66'

11 Woods

18 Irving

24 Duffy ? 23' ⚽️ 69' ?Rennie 79'

Substitutes

13 Hamill

17 Moore

19 Rennie