Forfar's Main Stand with slope from the tunnel to pitch |
Game: Forfar
Athletic 3 v 1 Stranraer
Date: Saturday 2nd
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 18th 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 63rd 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.
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