Albion Rovers v Forfar Athletic

The ‘Loons’ head to Coatbridge on Saturday first as football at SPFL level gets back to normal following the postponement of last weekend’s cards in all four divisions as a mark of respect following the passing of Queen Elizabeth.

They will go into ‘battle’ against an Albion Rovers side who currently sit one point above them in the cinch league2, the Athies occupying bottom spot after their last outing at Annan ended in a 2-1 defeat, this after Matty Aitken had given them a first half lead.

This is not a position that the management, players or officials of the club anticipated being in six games into the league campaign, but as they say the table does not lie!

Rest assured everyone involved at the club are and will continue to work on all fronts to rectify this situation and can only ask for supporters patience as we strive for the same end product and results.

One win in ten competitive games to date this season is a major disappointment but hopefully win number two will arrive come 5p.m. on Saturday afternoon.

Gary Irvine has also been working tirelessly over the past couple of weeks to try and freshen up his squad with a loan signing or two, but it is proving difficult to get a deal over the line.

He still harbours hopes of a new face being in the ranks for the trip to Cliftonhill.

At Galabank two weeks back our horrendous injury list this season reached hopefully the ‘peak.’

The management team ended up with only thirteen fully fit players available including two goalkeepers!

This situation will hopefully have improved in the ensuing fortnight with a strong possibility that Nathan Flanagan, Craig Thomson and Darren Whyte will be returning to the match day fold in Lanarkshire.

As regards the goalkeeping situation at the club 18 year old Jay Kennedy released by St. Mirren in the summer has been signed, with Lewis Sanderson likely to be heading out on loan to an East of Scotland League outfit to get much needed game time.

The home side managed by former Rangers defender Brian Reid have had a couple of promising results in recent times, notably a 2-0 success at Bonnyrigg.

Former Brechin City Player/Manager Michael Paton was one of six summer additions to the home ranks.

The ‘Loons picked up ten points against Rovers last season, so hopefully that is an omen?

The match referee is Stewart Luke.

Saturdays’ other fixtures in the cinch league2 are;- Annan Athletic v East Fife, Dumbarton v Bonnyrigg Rose, Stenhousemuir v Elgin City, Stirling Albion v Stranraer