The Spartans v Forfar Athletic – Match Preview

Jim Weir and his squad head to the Capital City on Saturday to face a Spartans side who were many pundits favourites pre-season to clinch the William Hill League 2 championship trophy by May of next year and to be fair to date in cup and league fixtures their form has lived up to that expectation.

The ‘Loons’ manager is certainly expecting a tough ninety minutes at the Vanloq Stadium, admitting that in his opinion Dougie Samuel’s player pool has an impressive depth to it with quality players in each department.

However the ‘Loons’ management team were like the fans excited by the excellent home performance against Stirling Albion last weekend, the quality football on display especially in the periods just before and after the half time whistle almost breathtaking.

Jim nevertheless has been emphasising to his players this week the need to carry that home form into away matches, following the undoubted disappointing display away to Clyde two weeks back.

Having watched the full ninety minutes back on video, the manager was particularly delighted with many facets of his side’s overall performance in particular the excellent service both strikers received from the flanks against the ‘Binos’ and the pressure exerted on the visiting defence from set pieces and long throw in scenarios.

Another major part of building a side that could potentially mount a challenge for honours as the season progresses is how the squad shapes up on training nights and so far this campaign the tempo maintained throughout the Tuesday and Thursday evening sessions has delighted the on Jim’s own admission, hard to please boss!

There are no injuries or illness worries for tomorrow’s fixture with the potential for the manager should he so wish to list the same starting eleven as last weekend.

Two goal Martin Rennie was the sponsors choice as man of the Match against Albion, but anyone of a handful of players notably Martin’s fellow marksman on the day Ross MacLean could have been in the frame.

Spartans to date have recorded excellent 3-1 victories on the road at newcomers East Kilbride and last Saturday at Clyde, but lost their only home encounter so far to a rejuvenated Dumbarton outfit. Their goal scoring hero to date has been former ‘Red Lichtie’ Mark Stowe recruited in the close season who has netted five of the seven league goals scored in that trio of fixtures, the Capital City outfit’s ‘engine room’ as ever orchestrated by the experienced James Craigen who had a productive spell on loan some years back with the Athies.

In the current embryonic stages of the campaign tomorrow’s clash at the Vanloq Stadium looks on paper to be the clash of the day in the SPFL’s fourth tier.

The travelling support who will have their part as ever to play in proceedings will hope this is the case with some reward being reaped at the end of the ninety minutes by Stuart and his colleagues.

The man in the middle for the game is Alastair Grieve.

Admission prices on Saturday are as follows;-

Adults £18
Concessions (16/18 year olds & 65 and over) £13
Under 16’s who must be accompanied by an adult £6

Tickets can be bought in advance see The Spartans official website for full details. However a cash/card payment facility is also available at the turnstiles on match day.

Saturday’s other William Hill League2 fixtures;- Annan Athletic v Dumbarton, Elgin City v Edinburgh City, Stirling Albion v East Kilbride, Stranraer v Clyde