MATCH PREVIEW: Forfar Athletic v Berwick Rangers

Forfar Athletic management and players will go into Saturday’s visit of Berwick Rangers to Station Park desperate to bring to an end a run that now stretches to six games without a win.

They will also be keen to gain revenge for the odd goal in five defeat inflicted upon them when the sides met at Shielfield Park only  last month.

That afternoon the ‘Loons’ were 2-1 in front with just over twenty minutes remaining when Danny Denholm was shown a harsh red card for a second booking, Rangers equalising from the re-start,  before Gary Phillips netted a last minute winner.

Since then John Coughlin’s side have had mixed fortunes winning one, drawing one and losing three from five games played.   They now sit in seventh sport on 32 points, 24 less than the ‘Loons’ who now have only a slender one point lead at the top of the table.

There were however positives to take from the point gained by the Athies up at Elgin last weekend.   The players could not be faulted for their effort and once Jim Lister had headed home the equaliser, only one team looked likely to go on and win the match and that was not the Boroughbriggs men!

Gary Bollan will hopefully have the luxury of a fully fit pool of players to select from come Saturday afternoon, the bonus being the fact that all the fringe players had a run out in the highly enjoyable testimonial fixture on Tuesday evening.

There is little doubt to use the old cliché that the Station Park players have seven ‘cup finals’ in front of them between now and the visit of Annan Athletic on May 6th.

The league title which looked to be in the ‘palm of their hand’ only six weeks ago has been eased from their grasp to a degree.

However they go into this Saturday’s contest still as league leaders and one has the feeling that one victory and convincing performance to boot, will set them back on track for the vital weeks ahead.

Saturday’s game will see second season Granite City based Grade One whistler Ryan Milne handle a ‘Loons’ fixture for the first time, this season, after he had to call off through illness only four weeks back when due to handle the visit of Montrose.

Scott Murdie and Lesley Deas are the match sponsors under the Murdeas banner while all four lounges in the complex are full as normal.

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

The 1984 Lounge will be open as normal from 12.30p.m. till kick-off and on the final whistle until approx 8p.m.

There are also a few ‘end of term’ bargains available from the Club Shop situated adjacent to the main turnstile block.