Forfar Athletic v Elgin City – match preview

Venue – Alpha Projects Stadium @ Station Park – ko 3p.m.
Saturday 13th January, 2024
cinch league 2 – match no 20

Stand admission charges are;-
Adults £15
65 & over £9
Under 17’s £5

Terracing admission charges are;-
Adults £14
65& over £8
Under 17’s £5

Payment by cash at turnstile

Forfar Athletic Season Tickets are of course valid for this fixture

1984 Lounge
The 1984 Lounge at the ground will be open to all supporters attending the fixture from 12.30p.m. to 2.50p.m. and again on the final whistle till approximately 8p.m.

The Refreshment Kiosk and Club Shop will be open as usual at the fixture.
50/50 tickets will be on sale from vendors within the ground and within the 1984 Lounge.

PREVIEW
Forfar Athletic management and players will put all thoughts of next week’s cup tie with Hibernian on the back burner tomorrow as their full concentration will be on the important matter of picking up three points at Station Park against an Elgin City side who courtesy of two successive home wins, both by a 2-1 score line have moved a point above them in the cinch league2 table.
The home side will go into the game boosted by three new faces in their ranks since they last trod the Station Park ‘boards.’

Dylan Lobban who made his debut at Ochilview last weekend will be joined in the squad for the clash by Russell McLean and Tyler Mykyta both of whom made the move to the Athies within the last 24 hours.

Manager Ray McKinnon is delighted with the new signings who are set to bolster his depleted squad, but confirms he is still hoping to add one or two more fresh faces in the weeks ahead.
Ray is confident that he has the players at his disposal to secure the much needed three points against the Boroughbriggs outfit on Saturday in what is sure to be a tense and hard fought encounter, as have been the three previous meetings between the sides this term to date.

Certainly Russell McLean’s arrival gives another vital option up front for the ‘Loons’ boss, Stuart Morrison’s excellent finish at Stenhousemuir last Saturday taking him level on six goals at the top of the Athies goal scoring charts with Seb Ross.

Of course, Josh Skelly will again be an absentee as he serves the second game of his ban for the red card received in the East Fife fixture, while Keiran Inglis and Callum Moore remain on the injury list.

Craig Thomson is due to return to the ranks next week.

Roberto Nditi may well gain a place in the match day squad for Elgin’s visit. The defender was due to arrive back in the UK early on Friday morning from his African adventure and his fitness and general condition will be assessed on his arrival at Station Park on Saturday.

Elgin head south as mentioned above on the back of 2-1 home wins over Peterhead and Stanraer, the latter courtesy of two counters from the penalty spot converted by Russell Dingwall and Liam Harvey.

Allan Hale who was in charge of Huntly when Forfar played them in the cup back in late October recently took over the manager’s post at Elgin and only last week defender Lyall Booth trod the same path from the Highland League club.

The home support have undoubtedly stuck by their side in recent times and of course as ever can play an important part on Saturday by getting right behind Andy and his colleagues from the first whistle.

Although a fairly heavy frost is again forecast for overnight, the pitch will be well prepared and salted to hopefully withstand the elements and thankfully the temperature is forecast to rise considerably and quickly from first light on Saturday.

Alastair Grieve the man in the middle will be handling a ‘Loons’ fixture for the first time this season.

C’mon the ‘Loons’

Match Sponsor – MMG Chartered Accountants

Hospitality Guests – Connor Deas & Friends, Raymond Martin & Friends, Peter Stewart & Friends, Andrew Shepherd Construction

1984 Lounge Hospitality – RAS Crockett Electrician

Match Ball Sponsor – Stag Hotel

Saturday’s other cinch league2 fixtures;- Bonnyrigg Rose v Dumbarton, East Fife v Clyde, Stranraer v Peterhead, The Spartans v Stenhousemuir