Ladbrokes League 1
Venue – Station Park
Date – Saturday, 16th March
Admission Prices – Stand – Adults £15 Concessions (65& over) £9 Under 17’s £5
Terracing – Adults £14 Concessions £8 Under 17’s £5
Forfar Athletic season tickets valid for this fixture
Turnstiles will be open at 2.15p.m. prompt. At the main turnstile block for terracing bound supporters in Carseview Road, two adult and two concession turnstiles will be in operation. FAFC terracing season ticket holders should enter through the gate at the mart end of the turnstile block.
Current League Positions – Forfar Athletic – 3rd – 47 points from 28 games Raith Rovers – 2nd – 48 points from 28 games
Previous Results this season – Raith Rovers 4 Forfar Athletic 0 at Starks Park on 1.9.18
Forfar Athletic 3 Raith Rovers 2 at Station Park on 27.10.18
Raith Rovers 1 Forfar Athletic 1 at Starks Park on 2.2.19
Summary – The visit of Raith Rovers this Saturday will hopefully be one of many ‘big’ games to come at Station Park prior to mid May as the ‘business’ end of the season is upon us. It should certainly be a titanic battle between two sides fighting for at the very least the runners-up spot in the Ladbrokes League 1 race to the finishing line.
Following last Saturday’s results, when the ‘Loons’ fought back from two down at Brechin to rescue a point, while a Grant Gillespie goal gave Rovers a 1-0 home win over Airdrieonians, it is John McGlynn’s side who occupy second spot by one point at present.
The question on all Athies fans lips will be, can Jim Weir’s squad make it seven home league wins on the bounce, a run that began against Montrose back in December.
There is no reason why not, but the manager and his staff will be not be expecting a repeat of the slightly lethargic start to the game that was witnessed at the Glebe.
It looks as if Jim will again have a full nineteen man squad to choose from and he may decide to freshen up his starting eleven.
Over the current six-game one hundred per cent run at Station Park, the home side have rarely looked likely to end up on the losing side at any point, but Saturday’s tussle will be the stiffest test to date.
Both sides have picked up a home victory in the previous clashes this season, goals from Dale Hilson, Dylan Easton and the now departed Mark Hill securing the points for the ‘Loons’ on Rovers last visit in October.
Last month the scoreline ended 1-1 at Starks Park, John Baird netting a stunning late equaliser, after Jamie Barjonas, on the day making his debut after his loan move from Rangers had scored a goal of similar vintage for Rovers.
The visitors are having to see out the campaign without injured talisman Lewis Vaughan, but fellow striker Kevin Nisbet is the man to watch, having netted 22 league goals already this term.
‘Loons’ officials are as ever hopeful of a substantial crowd on Saturday with Raith always well supported on their travels.
The backing and encouragement the Forfar Athletic players have received in recent months from all sections of the support has been remarkable and has undoubtedly contributed to the success on the park.
Long may that particular aspect continue.
C’way the ‘Loons.’
Match Officials – Referee – Grant Irvine Assistants – Andy Milne & Chris McTiernan
Match Sponsors – W.F. Barker Ltd
Hospitality Complex Guests – Scott G. Brown Opticians, Graeme Campbell & Friends, Canmore ‘Boolers’, Orchard Timber Products.
1984 Lounge Hospitality – Darren Liddle & Friends
Match Ball Sponsor – Kevin Ross
Supporters Information –
The 1984 Lounge at Station Park will be open from 12.30p.m. till kick-off and on the final whistle till approximately 8p.m.
PLEASE NOTE – ENTRY TO THE LOUNGE PRE-MATCH AT THIS FIXTURE WILL BE RESTRICTED TO FORFAR ATHLETIC SUPPORTERS ONLY – apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.
(After the final whistle, the Calcutta Cup fixture between England and Scotland will be available for viewing on the widescreen tv.)
Club Shop open prior to kick-off and during the half-time interval.
Match Programme priced at £2 and 50/50 tickets available from vendors inside the ground.
