Ground 28: Station Park

Forfar's Main Stand with slope from the tunnel to pitch

Game: Forfar Athletic 3 v 1 Stranraer

Date: Saturday 2^nd March

Competition: Scottish Football League Division 2

Attendance: 448

Admission: £12

Programme: £1.50

It may have been sunglasses weather in Edinburgh when I left the capital city at lunchtime, but it was decidedly overcast in Angus by the time I reached Forfar twenty minutes before kick-off. Thankfully the weather was mild, so there was no need for gloves (perhaps I can put them away for the rest of the season?) however, there was snow topped hills in the difference to remind you that this was still March.

Station Park was far bigger than I had anticipated, with four enclosures. When you enter you have to climb some steps onto the East terracing as the pitch is elevated. There’s a new looking terracing on the south side of the ground that runs the length of the pitch, and a steep modern terracing called the “mert end” as the cattle market is just over the wall. The main stand is a bit of a charming relic, elevated on bricks that contain the tunnel and changing rooms below. This allows for a small enclosure below where fans can stand, behind the dugouts (or lean on them in some cases). It’s really quite a charming ground. Ironically, there’s no station anywhere near Station Park after the railway was removed in 1968 as part of the Beeching cuts, which makes getting to Forfar by public transport a difficult task.

The pitch at Station Park is artificial, which received praise from the Chairman in his programme notes. At the moment SFL players are being surveyed on their opinions on the pitches, but it looks like they are here to stay. If they allow more games to be played on a Saturday (thus improving attendances compared to midweek) and ensure that clubs can be more active in their community with coaching, training and games for all levels on the park, then I’m all for it. The players might not like it compared to grass, but it looks like something they’re just going to have to put up with.

This was only my second time watching Forfar this season, my first being their comprehensive defeat by Arbroath, whereas this was the fourth time I’ve seen Stranraer, more by accident that design I can assure you.

Snow-topped hills in the background as the players make their way onto the pitch

Stranraer started the brighter in an even game early on. Both sides still have something to play for – Forfar are chasing a place in the promotion play-offs whilst Stranraer are currently in a relegation play-off position. Both sides have clubs around them, which meant every game is going to be a scrap. The tension was clearly getting to both sides early on as I witnessed both teams having what could be politely described as a robust exchange of views amongst themselves.

In the 18^th minute, Forfar took the lead when Gavin Malin’s deflected driven shot hit the back of the net after some neat work from ‘The Loons’ in attack.

After the first goal I realised that I hadn’t eaten since breakfast so headed to the catering cabin for the world famous Forfar bridie, which is essential a pasty but without the potatoes. And very tasty it was too. That combined with a small coke was £2.20, so approximately the same price as an average pie at an SPL ground. That price combined with a £1.50 programme makes Forfar come as close to a bargain as you can get in Scottish football.

After going a goal down, Stranraer looked fairly underwhelming, almost bereft of ideas – they huff and puff but don’t quite get anywhere. Stranraer are in the same boat as Dundee and Airdrie, having being promoted last minute due to the Rangers fiasco that dominated the summer. The very fact that they aren’t bottom is an achievement in itself.

Forfar put the game out of Stranraer’s reach with two goals just before half-time. Man of the Match Omar Kader scored a tap-in after some good work from Gavin Swankie and Chris Templeman made it 3-0 with a simple header.

The second half began with Forfar really putting the pressure on, they squandered several good chances and hit the woodwork numerous times. At that point, I genuinely thought I was about to watch Stranraer get a hiding.

However, Stranraer manager Stephen Aitken brought on Robert Love to play on the right hand side and his arrival onto the park gave the Blues some much needed impetus. Suddenly Stranraer looked sharper and it was Love’s flicked on header in the 63^rd minute that gave Stranraer striker and full-time menace Michael Moore the opportunity to cross a low ball across the box for Craig Malcolm to tumble in.

The Stranraer battering ram duo: Moore and One

Stranraer were on top after the goal and introduced Armand One, moving to a 3-3-4 almost. They were further aided by the referee Don Robertson reducing Forfar to 10 men for one of the softest straight red cards I’ve ever seen. The aforementioned menace, Moore picked up the ball, and although Michael Bolochoweckyj did foul him, there was no way that it merited a red card. It brought howls of incredulous shouts from the Forfar fans. Stranraer weren’t able to take advantage with their chances as both teams toiled for a final goal that never arrived.

Station Park provided another entertaining SFL game with plenty of goals and drama. The standard might not be the highest, but there’s lots of endeavour and an aspiration to play entertaining football. For £12, you can’t say fairer than that.