Stirling Albion vs Arbroath – Match Preview
Betfred Cup – Group D – Game 1 – Season 2020/2021
Tuesday 6th October 2020, Forthbank Stadium, Stirling, 7.45pm kick off
It is finally here. A staggering 213 days since our last competitive match away to Greenock Morton, the Lichties are back on the road to Forthbank Stadium to face Stirling Albion in a repeat of last year’s Group C Fixture.
Goals from David Gold 1, 57, Michael McKenna 28, Colin Hamilton 82, and Greig Spence 87, 90 ensured a 6-1result in that match, but tonight will be a much tougher match.
Of course it goes without saying that tonight’s match will be different for so many reasons with no supporters the biggest challenge for both clubs.
You can however stream the game live for £7.50 (plus 60pence for fees) here;
https://www.stirlingalbionfc.co.uk/live-stream/
The Betfred Cup Group stages allow 5 substitutes, with 9 substitutes able to be listed. As with all group matches, if the game ends in a draw the match will head to penalties after 90 minutes for the winning team earning an extra bonus point.
Arbroath enjoyed a very enjoyable pre-season but Manager Dick Campbell has voiced his concern about not being able to test his side against a full time Premiership team.
Mark Whatley has missed the last few matches with an injury and tonight’s game may come too soon for him, but Dick Campbell should have every other player at his disposal.
The Scottish Transfer window did close last night, but Arbroath can still sign players on loan until the end October as part of the loan transfer window.
Arbroath FC Squad Numbers 2020 / 2021
1 – Derek Gaston
2 – Jason Thomson
3 – Colin Hamilton
4 – Ricky Little
5 – Thomas O’Brien
6 – Mark Whatley
7 – David Gold
8 – Michael McKenna
9 – Dale Hilson
10 – Gavin Swankie
11 – Bobby Linn
12 – Scott Stewart
14 – Kris Doolan (Greenock Morton)
15 – Luke Donnelly
16 – Michael Ruth (On loan from Aberdeen)
17 – Connor Smith (On loan from Heart of Midlothian)
21 – Scott Gallacher (Airdrieonians)
22 – Miko Virtanen (On loan from Aberdeen)
28 – James Craigen (AFC Fylde)
Arbroath Departures
Omar Kader – Retired
Darren Jamieson – Kelty Hearts
James Murphy – Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
Logan Chalmers – Dundee United, end of loan
Craig Wighton – Heart of Midlothian, end of loan
Stirling Albion have been busy during the transfer window and have signed former Lichties Andy Ryan and Aldin El-Zubadi as well as the experienced Declan Byrne, and midfielders Jack Leitch, Kieran Moore, Kurtis Roberts and Scott Roberts.
Previous Meetings
Stirling Albion 1 – 6 – Arbroath – 17th July 2019 – Betfred Cup – Group C – 2019/2020
Goals – Mackin 47 – Gold 1, 57, McKenna 28, Hamilton 82, Spence 87, 90
Stirling Albion 1 – 1 Arbroath – 4th May 2017 – Scottish League Two – 2016/2017
Goals – Henderson 76 pen – Scott 5
Stirling Albion Squad (including summer arrivals)
Manager – Kevin Rutkiewicz
GK – Blair Currie
GK – Cammy Binnie
DF – Cammy Thomson
DF – James Creaney
DF – Jordan McGregor
DF – Kyle Banner
DF – Paul McLean
DF – Ross McGeachie
DF – Aldin El-Zubaidi (unattached)
MF – David Wilson
MF – Dominic Docherty
MF – Jack Leitch (Peterhead)
MF – Kieran Moore (Queen’s Park)
MF – Kurtis Roberts (Airdrieonians)
MF – Scott Roberts (Albion Rovers)
MF – Sean Heaver
ST – Andy Ryan (Dunfermline Athletic)
ST – Declan Byrne (Albion Rovers)
ST – Dylan Bikey
ST – Dylan Mackin
Departures
Darryl Duffy (Stranraer)
Danny Jardine (Edinburgh City)
Jordan Lowdon (Annan Athletic)
Kevin Nicoll (Cumbernauld United)
Josh Peters (Elgin City)
Owen Stott (Rossvale Juniors)
Craig Truesdale (Kirkintilloch Rob Roy)
Paul Willis (Linlithgow Rose)
Max Wright (Annan Athletic)
Nicky Hogarth (Rangers, end of loan)
Ronan Hughes (Hamilton Academical, end of loan)
Fraser Scott
Suspensions;
Dominic Doherty is serving a one-match ban for Stirling Albion
Injuries;
Stirling Albion report that Goalkeeper Blair Currie and defender Ross McGeachie are major doubts.
Officials;
Referee – Barry Cook
Assistant Referee 1 – Graham Chambers
Assistant Referee 2 – George King
Of course it goes without saying that tonight’s match is strictly closed doors.
We shall do our best to update those who aren’t watching the stream and will have reports, photographs, interviews and go pro footage posted as soon as we can.
C’mon the Lichties!
Team Signings from; http://nareystoepoker.blogspot.com/p/on-this-page-aim-is-to-cover-every_1.html
Stirling Albion Team News – https://www.stirlingalbionfc.co.uk/
