Brechin City - Forfar Athletic Match Preview

Brechin City play host to Angus neighbours Forfar Athletic at the Glebe tomorrow in what could be the final match between the sides of the current campaign.

The sides could meet again of course depending on final league positions but both sides will be determined to pick up maximum points and give their promotion prospects whether by route of the play-offs or the title itself a huge boost.

City's fantastic seventeen game unbeaten league run came to an end at Balmoor Stadium last Saturday but the players will be determined to bounce right back from that defeat with a victory over Dick Campbell's men. Manager Ray McKinnon will have to do without the services of Colin Hamilton who is suspended while midfielder Alan Trouten is also side-lined after fracturing a couple of ribs, an injury which looks like keeping him out of action for a number of weeks. In addition, a few players are suffering from niggling injuries although the manager will give them right up until kick-off to prove their fitness. On the plus side, Ray will welcome back skipper Craig Molloy and defender Paul McLean after suspensions ruled them out of the match at Peterhead while Gary Fusco and Steven Jackson who also missed that game because of sickness bugs are both fit again.

The Loons defeated Stranraer in their last match to briefly go joint top of the table with Gavin Swankie scoring the winning goal but the Blues victory over Stirling Albion on Tuesday night propelled them to pole position with the Loons now sitting in third place, four points ahead of City who have a game in hand. Dick Campbell has no fresh injury worries and it seems odds on that the side who defeated Stranraer will take the field tomorrow.

Matches between the sides this season have brought one victory each plus a score-draw. In the first match, at Station Park on 27th September, goals from Danny Denholm and Dale Hilson gave the hosts an early lead with Colin Hamilton pulling a goal back for City just before the break but a further goal from the penalty-spot from Hilson nine minutes from the end wrapped up victory for the Loons.

In the following game , played at the Glebe on 15th November, six goals were shared in an absolutely cracking encounter. Goals from Andy Jackson and Bobby Barr put City two goals up with the Loons reducing the deficit five minutes before the break through Omar Kader. Goals from Gavin Swankie and Chris Templeman then saw the Loons leap to a 3-2 advantage before an Alan Trouten goal eight minutes from the end levelled the score-line.

City came up trumps in the last match between the teams played at Station Park on 3rd January. Jamie Masson opened the scoring after twelve minutes and with Alan Trouten wrapping up victory nine minutes from time.

The referee tomorrow is the experienced Alan Muir who will be taking charge of both City and the Loons for the first time this season.

Match Sponsor is Blacks of Brechin while Keith Johnston of Gridified Ltd is sponsoring the Match Ball. The Match Day Magazine Sponsor is Angus Suicide Prevention Collaboration while six year old Rory Black will be the Match Mascot. There will also be an Official Bucket Collection by Brechin Rotary.

Admission Prices at the Glebe are :-

Adults - £12
Parent & Child - £15 (Plus an additional £2 admission for each additional child in the family party)
Concessions (Over 65's and Under 18's) - £6

Other Matches Scottish League One

Morton v Ayr United
Stenhousemuir v Dunfermline Athletic
Stirling Albion v Peterhead
Stranraer v Airdrieonians

Next Brechin City Match

Brechin City v Peterhead, Glebe Park, Tuesday 24th March. Kick-Off - 7.45pm