Peterhead v Forfar Athletic – Match Preview

The ‘Loons’ begin a busy February with a trip to Peterhead on Saturday, as has been well documented the first of five away games during the course of the month.

Manager Jim Weir accepts that it has been a tough and disappointing past seven days or so for the club.

Defeat against Stranraer last Saturday allied to the midweek win for Bonnyrigg over the same opponents means that the Station Park outfit now sit six points adrift at the foot of the table, not an envious position. However the manager remains optimistic and emphasises the fact that there are sixteen league remaining with forty-eight points up for grabs. Jim nevertheless acknowledges the fact that his players must start turning the numerous chances that for example they created especially in the first half last Saturday into goals.

The ‘Loons’ had the vast majority of the possession in last Saturday’s encounter but at the end of the day a lack of composure and calmness in front of goal cost them dear.

Jim is delighted to have brought the experienced Declan Byrne to the club and is hopeful of another addition prior to kick-off at Balmoor. It has not been easy attracting players to the club in the current window with limited availability and all clubs at League One and Two level keen to recruit players of a similar type and nature. Declan has formed useful partnerships in the past with both Russell and Ross at Dumbarton and hopefully that spark can be rekindled in the remainder of the campaign.

Good news on the injury front is that Craig Slater will return to the match day squad, however this is countered by the fact that Mark Whatley and Josh Skelly are likely to miss out.

Tomorrow’s hosts sit second in the league table, five points behind East Fife having lost 1-0 at Spartans last weekend.

Joint managers Jordon Brown and Ryan Strachan have brought in three new faces in January, Adam Carnwath on loan from Dundee United, Oliver Colloty from Auckland and Jamie Walker after a spell with Dundalk, the trio all starting on the bench in the Ainslie Park clash.

The sides clashed in a fiery midweek encounter at the Alpha Projects Stadium @ Station Park in December, a 78th minute counter from Nathan Cannon securing a point for the home side from a 1-1 draw.

Admission prices at Peterhead are as follows;-

Stand
Adult £17
Concession £10
11/16 year old £7
10 & under if accompanied by a paying adult £2

Ground
Adult £15
Concession £8
11/16 year old £7
10 & under if accompanied by a paying adult foc

Admission to Balmoor is by ticket only which can be purchased from the ticket office in the main car park at the ground from 1pm. onwards on a match day. They can also be purchased on line in advance, see the Peterhead official website for details.

Kick-off is at the usual time of 3pm.