MATCH PREVIEW: Forfar Athletic v Stirling Albion

The ‘Loons’ play their first home game of 2017 when they welcome Stirling Albion to Station Park on Saturday.

Gary Bollan’s side go into the game with a seven point cushion at the top of the Ladbrokes League 2 table, but have been warned that they will have a hard fought ninety minutes in front of them against Albion.

The Athies have triumphed 4-1 and 3-0 in the two previous jousts against the Forthbank outfit this campaign but they will come up against a new look Stirling side on this occasion.

Former Dundee and St. Johnstone stalwart Dave MacKay a resident in fact of Forfar in his Dens Park days took over the managerial reins with the ‘Binos’ in early November and is beginning to totally re-shape a side that struggled in the early part of the season.

Since the transfer registration window opened on January 1st he has brought in five new players and all started in an impressive 3-0 win at home to Clyde last weekend.

The goals scorers against the ‘Bully Wee’ were French striker Dylan Nguene Bikey with a brace and home grown youngster Ross Kavanagh given a first professional contract earlier this week, the new faces, Willie Robertson who had spell at Station Park earlier in his career, Connor McLaren and Conor Quigley on loan from St. Johnstone and Dundee respectively and the experienced pairing of Liam Caddis and Frazer Wright.

The home side however will go into the game bursting with confidence on the back of a five game unbeaten run which has yielded thirteen valuable points, their last two home games having seen the homesters find the back of their opponents net on nine occasions.

The team spirit shown by the squad in recent weeks must have been a real lift to the backroom team at Forfar as it has been to the loyal support alongside the work ethic and the fact that goals have been coming from all areas of the side.

Gary may be forced to make one change from last week’s starting line-up down at Annan however with Martyn Fotheringham a doubt through injury.    Eoghan McCawl was ‘Foxy’s’ first half replacement at Galabank and following the extension of his temporary transfer this week the young Irishman could be in line for a starting berth.

Stuart Malcolm returns to the squad after suspension, while Michael Travis’s recovery from long term injury to the delight of all at Station Park, has added almost a ‘new face’ to the squad as far as the current management team are concerned.

Jim Lister’s recovery has also given an extra dimension without doubt to the striking capabilities as evidenced by his bullet headed equaliser at Annan.

A few of the younger players in the squad also got a useful run  out in a development team friendly against Dundee at Riverside on Wednesday evening.

The referee for what is a much anticipated clash is first season Grade One official Scott Millar making his second visit of the season to Station Park.

The match is sponsored by Kirriemuir based Gordon Dobbie Heating and Plumbing Ltd., great supporters of the ‘Loons’ cause for many a year, while five parties will be enjoying a hospitality package within the complex and the 1984 Lounge itself.

Admission prices are £13/7 for the stand, £12/6 for the terracing.

The Club Shop situated within the ground adjacent to the main turnstile block will be open as usual.

Finally the 1984 Lounge at the ground will be open from 12.30p.m. till kick-off and on the final whistle till around 8p.m.