Forfar is a place of mixed memories for me. My first visit ended in a vital win for Clyde. Ally Graham’s goal on a sunny May day in 1998 securing Second Division survival for the Bully Wee. That was the day Kilmarnock won at Ibrox with a goal deep into the extra week or so added on by Bobby Tait. Ally Mitchell’s winner for Killie came when we had just got back into the car, and it brought the realisation that for the first time in my football-supporting memory, someone other than Rangers was going to win the league.
My second visit, on the way to a Hearts victory at Pittodrie two years later was less enjoyable. It involved a quick dash off a toiletless supporters’ bus to find Forfar’s public facilities padlocked shut. In the end I caused quite a stir by sprinting through a tea room of old ladies and making it to the gents with seconds to spare.
But today Forfar swings back into my good books. It’s a magnificent day for football, with blue skies and a wee bit of heat in the sun. I park up nice and early on Market Street, just round the corner from Forfar’s deceptively-named Station Park home and wander into town.
It’s warm enough to sit outside, so I enjoy a burger from the Giddy Goose with the sun on my face while listening to the closing stages of Celtic’s dramatic late win at St Johnstone. The enjoyment of an exciting piece of action somewhat spoiled by the BBC’s Sportsound gang spending the next twenty minutes or so pointlessly bickering about whether St Johnstone’s enthusiastic celebrations of their late equaliser were the cause of their concession of an even later winner. I mean, it’s maybe worth a mention as a throwaway thought, but it quickly descended into a bun-fight, with controversy stirrer in-chief Kenny McIntyre happy to let it rumble on.
The decline of Sportsound in recent times is a really sad thing to observe.
Anyway, off to Station Park. As mentioned above, the name is deceptive. There’s been no station here since the Beeching cuts of the 1960s. But it’s a decent wee ground. An open terrace at either end, and a covered terrace opposite the Main Stand. I take up position in the terraced lower section of the main stand, just behind the dugouts as the game begins, the weather still fantastic.
Neither side is in good form, but East Fife start confidently. They look better in possession and force Forfar into uncomfortable areas. I’m keeping an eye on Hearts loanee Jaden Ferguson in the Forfar line-up, but sadly he’s outshone by Hibs loanee Joao Balde on the wing for the visitors. Balde looks a good player, with nice touches and good vision. If East Fife could find a way to give him more opportunities to run at players, he could be a real asset.
The game swings decisively towards the visitors in the four minutes before half-time, and both times Scott Shepherd is involved.
First, he wins possession and goes on a great run down the left hand-side, before cutting back for Ryan Schiavone to put East Fife ahead. And he’s involved again in the move that leads to Ferguson putting the second on a plate for Schiavone right on the interval. It’s a deserved lead for the visitors, and you get the feeling this is a done deal.
And soon after half time it is, Forfar’s Mark Docherty sealing the win for East Fife with an own-goal after confusion in the penalty box.
The home fans grow restless, and the group opposite the Main Stand are really giving it to their side. Hanratty’s consolation goal does little to alter the mood. Forfar look a poor side, and it’s a relegation battle for them. Albion Rovers have beaten Bonnyrigg 2-1, meaning Forfar slip to the bottom of the SPFL. With form like this, Forfar fans must be looking at sides like Brechin, Cowdenbeath, and East Stirlingshire, all long-time members of the old SFL who have slipped out of the SPFL since the pyramid trap-door opened. The day after this defeat the Forfar board will issue a statement citing injuries and giving manager Gary Irvine the vote of confidence. One to watch, perhaps.
With about five minutes to go I need to make a run for it. I’ve got a second game to get to, and, as much fun as Forfar has been, I need to get moving. Back to the car and off I go.
