Forfar Athletic v Brora Rangers – match preview

The ‘Loons’ and Highland League champions Brora Rangers meet for only the second time in a competitive fixture when they clash at Station Park on Tuesday night in a Betfred tie.

The previous occasion saw Forfar triumph 3-0 up at Dudgeon Park in the Scottish Cup back in 2008, though the sides have crossed swords in a pre-season friendly fixture at Station Park in more recent times.

Neither side have any chance of qualifying for the second round stage of the tournament as either winners or runners-up in the group.

The Athies, of course, had to forfeit their scheduled opening joust at Dens Park due to Covid related problems, before unluckily losing out to a late goal from Hibernian at Station Park.

Tomorrow night’s game will be Brora’s final group outing, following defeats away at Easter Road and at home to Dundee, though they were far from disgraced in both these outings, alongside a penalty shoot-out loss to Cove Rangers which saw them pick up their solitary point to date.

Both teams, therefore, go into the game therefore knowing that a victory over the ninety minutes would at the very least secure fourth spot in the group, which does bring with it a slight increase in prize money, the home side still having a second successive Saturday trip to Cove on the horizon to complete their programme.

Manager Stuart Malcolm looked on in dismay when striker Steven Doris given his first start of the campaign had to limp off with a hamstring problem in the opening minutes at the Balmoral Stadium on Saturday past adding to the ever-growing injury and illness problems at the club.

However, it is hoped that one or two of the squad who have been ruled out in recent weeks may get a run out either in tomorrow night’s encounter or on Saturday in preparation for the return to league action when Airdrieonians visit Station Park on Saturday week.

Marc McCallum will again be a spectator tomorrow evening with the SPFL granting permission for Broughty Athletic custodian Sean Diamond to be signed on an emergency seven-day loan as cover.

‘Loons’ officials are very grateful to their Whitton Park counterparts for their co-operation in this regard.

Grant Irvine making his second visit of the season already to Station Park will be the man in the middle for the visit of Steven McKay’s side.

The match kicks-off at 7.45 p.m.