BRECHIN CITY – FORFAR ATHLETIC MATCH PREVIEW


Angus neighbours Brechin City and Forfar Athletic will meet up for the fourth and final time of the season at Glebe Park tomorrow night with the score at the moment in City’s favour by two games to one.

Both teams are still fighting hard to clinch that vital play-off place with City slightly better placed at the moment, sitting at third place in the Irn Bru Second Division table with 51 points from 29 games, six points better off than the Loons who have played two games more.

Victory for Forfar tomorrow would see them narrow the gap to just three points while a City win would see them extend their lead to nine points. It’s clear then that there’s all to play for and a huge amount at stake for both teams and hopefully a cracking game will be on the cards.

City have no further injuries to report following their 3-2 defeat down at Stranraer on Saturday. Long-term casualties Johnny Brown and Craig Molloy remain side-lined while skipper Ewan Moyes and young centre-back Gareth Rodger have still not recovered from their injuries. Gary Fusco though who missed out on Saturday because of suspension will return to the squad.

Forfar who beat East Fife on Saturday much more emphatically than the 3-2 score-line would suggest also have no fresh injuries to report from that game and only midfielder Keith Gibson and goalkeeper Derek Soutar remain unavailable.

The first meeting between the side, way back in September at Station Park ended in a 1-0 victory for the hosts thanks to a Martyn Fotheringham goal after 22 minutes, but City cantered to easy victories in the following two derbies.

On 24th November at Glebe Park, goals from Johnny Brown, Kurtis Byrne (pen) and Andy Jackson gave City a 3-0 lead and although the Loons pulled a goal back from Ross Campbell a further goal from Jackson right on the final whistle secured victory for City. It was exactly the same score-line in the next meeting between the sides when City first-footed the Loons at Station Park on 2nd January. Goals from David McKenna, Johnny Brown and Derek Carcary saw City again take a 3-0 lead and although Gavin Swankie reduced the deficit with ten minutes remaining, a further goal from Scott Dalziel a minute later wrapped up the points for the visitors.

The last six results for the sides are as follows : - (City and Forfar Scores First)

Brechin City

16/3 Alloa (A) 1-0
23/3 Ayr (H) 2-1
27/3 Q of S (H) 0-6
30/3 Q of S (A) 1-2
2/4 East Fife (H) 6-0
6/4 Stranraer (A) 2-3

Wins – 3 Draws – 0 Defeats – 3

Goals Scored – 12 Goals Conceded – 12 Goal Diference 0

Forfar Athletic

28/2 Albion (H) 4-2
2/3 Stranraer (H) 3-1
16/3 S’Muir (H) 3-3
30/3 Arbroath (H) 2-4
2/4 Albion (A) 2-1
7/4 East Fife (H) 3-2

Wins – 4 Draws – 1 Defeats – 1

Goals Scored – 17 Goals Conceded – 13 Goal Difference 4

The referee for tomorrow night’s match will be Ayrshire ref Des Roache who has refereed City only once this season – the 2-0 win at Stranraer at the end of December last year.

Tomorrow Night's Match Ball will be sponsored by George Johnston.