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INTERNATIONAL FOOTIE AT STATION PARK
FORFAR Athletic fans - starved of league action due to a prolonged spell of wintry weather - will have the opportunity to see some of the stars of the future this coming Friday.
Station Park is to play host to only the second international match in its history when the Scotland Under-18 Schoolboys side face their counterparts from Northern Ireland.
The game is the first of this season's home internationals at under-18 level, with matches at home to Wales and away to the Republic of Ireland and England to come.
For Forfar Athletic physio Donald Ritchie - who, for the last decade has acted as physio for the country's under-16 and under-18 sides - it will be a short trip compared to some he has made.
In his role at international level, Donald, a dangerous buildings officer with Angus Council's buildings standards, has clocked up the miles at home and abroad, to attend training camps, warm-up games and full internationals.
Over the past ten years, his Scotland role has taken him to Malta, Cyprus and Jersey for training camps - as young Scotland sides search for better weather at the beginning of the year.
He also recalls that, two years ago, he was with the Under-18 side when they had the honour of being the first Scottish side to play in the new Wembley Stadium.
This season, the Scotland Under-18 side has done well - despite the horrendous weather.
There was no overseas training camp this time round - but the Scots got the better of the Australian Schools side by three goals to one in a match played indoors in January.
There were also victories over the Falkirk and Stirling under-19 sides as the Scots tune up for the home international series.
Looking forward to Friday evening's fare, Donald says it will be a chance for local followers of football to see some of the Scottish stars of the future in action.
Players such as Darren Fletcher of Manchester United fame have come through the Scottish ranks - and, who knows, there may be another top talent all set to break into football at the very highest level.
Having seen in the team in action, Donald feels the main Scotland strength this time round is the fact that the players knit together well as a team.
"I have been quite impressed with the way they have gelled together as a unit," he commented on Monday.
The game will kick off at 7 pm and admission prices will be 5 for adults and 3 for concessions.
It may be that the game may have to be switched to another Angus venue if the frosty conditions continue.
A decision on whether or not to transfer the game to the all weather surface at Montrose is expected to be made on Wednesday.
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Weather for Kirriemuir
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 3 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South
