Forfar Athletic v Cove Rangers – Match Preview

Forfar Athletic and our League1 visitors Cove Rangers will go head to head at the Alpha Projects Stadium at Station Park Stadium on Saturday knowing that only a victory will keep them in the hunt for qualification to the knock out stages of the Premier Sports Cup.

The ‘Loons’ go into the game in good heart following their excellent all round team performance at Dunfermline on Tuesday past, goals from Russell MacLean and Mark Whatley clinching a richly deserved 2-0 victory.

However the manager is keeping the players feet firmly on the ground this early in the season, a point emphasised to them at training on Thursday night. Ray is delighted with what has been two good all round performances to date against full time sides, the three points at East End Park the obvious ‘icing on the cake.’

At the same time he acknowledges that Saturday’s game will be another tough game against another full time outfit, Paul Hartley’s side arriving at Station Park on the back of a surprising 5-0 defeat at home to Spartans in their opening joust in midweek.

The home side’s plans are however hit by an early season suspension. Following his bookings against both the ‘Lions’ and the ‘Pars’, skipper Stuart Morrison will sit out Saturday’s contest.

The home management team do have options as his replacement with Scott Reekie one of those as a direct replacement.

Ray is also hopeful that by kick-off the SFA will have put the seal of approval on the loan transfer of 18 year old South African born Australian citizen and English Schools internationalist Arran Cocks from St. Johnstone to augment his match day squad to which Finn Robson also returns.

Cove who finished fifth in the cinch league1 table last term will be making their first visit to Forfar since a 1-0 Boxing Day win in 2020, a match watched by barely twenty club officials and press men in the midst of the covid crisis.

They have made a handful of summer singing including the high scoring Grady McGrath from our near neighbours Brechin City last weekend and he made his debut on Tuesday evening.

They will arrive at Station Park no doubt smarting from their defeat to the Capital City outfit and keen to make amends.

On the home front one can confidently state that there was not a failure in the ranks at East End Park, Marc McCallum his usual reliable self, the defence strong, the engine room creative and up front the attacking duo caused the home defence problems throughout the night.

Hopefully therefore the positive start to the season can continue as we build towards the league campaign which begins with a visit from title favourites Clyde according to the bookmakers on August 3rd.

A reminder to supporters that the rules for the group stage of the League Cup as many still refer to it have not changed. Three points for a win, one point apiece for a draw at the end of the ninety minutes. However if the scores are level at this juncture, a penalty shoot-out will take place with a bonus point awarded to the winner.

George Calder who took charge of a handful of fixtures involving the ‘Loons’ last term will be the man in the middle for tomorrow’s match.

Admission prices for all ties in Group ‘E’ are as follows;-
Adults £12
Concessions (at Station Park – 65 & over/Under 17’s) £8
Under 12’s £1

Payment is by cash at the turnstile. If anyone would like to purchase a ticket online in advance, they can be purchased at https://forfarathletic.ticketco.events/uk/en/m/e/forfar_athletic_v_cove_rangers . Please note that anyone purchasing a concession or u17 ticket online may on the day be asked to produce proof of their age and entitlement to a concession ticket, failing which entry to the ground with their online ticket may be refused.

Forfar Athletic season tickets are not valid for this fixture.

Please note that parking at Station Park will be restricted on this occasion with parking behind the main stand strictly for use only by players, officials and match officials.

The 1984 Lounge at the ground will be open to all supporters on Saturday from 12.30p.m. till kick-off and for approximately one hour after the final whistle.

Hospitality Lounge guests at Saturday’s game are Darren Douglas and Friends.

The other group fixture scheduled for Saturday sees a clash between Livingston and Dunfermline Athletic in West Lothian.

Forfar Athletic’s final Group E fixture in the Premier Sports Cup will take place at Ainslie Park in the Capital City on Tuesday evening of next week when The Spartans will be the opponents.