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TRIALISTS ON SHOW IN LOONS' OPENING FRIENDLIES
Ex-St Johnstone and Dundee wide man Gavin Swankie and former Forfar midfield player Paul Lunan were two of the more interesting names listed among the trialists as the Loons limbered up for life in the Scottish second division.
The build-up to the new season opened with an encouraging display at home to premier league outfit Motherwell on Thursday evening, but then Forfar somehow contrived to lose three-nil to Highland league champs Buckie Thistle on the Saturday, despite creating enough chances to win there games!
However, results are not that important at this stage, it's more about getting players fit and playing together as a team and also looking at those who could strengthen the squad ahead of the league and cup campaigns ahead.
Paul Lunan, who left Arbroath late last campaign, has been given the opportunity to show what he can do, while Gavin Swankie caught the eye when he appeared as a substitute against Buckie Thistle at the weekend.
Back to Thursday evening, and that opening friendly against Motherwell.
The Loons lost by two goals to one but, for long spells in the game, gave as good as they got.
The visitors took the lead in 18 minutes when a Chris Shuker strike deflected off Mark McCulloch and past new home keeper Scott Gallacher.
Forfar responded with a fine leveller, a great move down the right ending with a Chris Templeman flick on for Graham Gibson to head home.
Motherwell grabbed the winning goal in 72 minutes, Marc Reynolds volleying home after the keeper failed to hold a Chris Humphrey corner.
On to Saturday, and the Forfar fans were left scratching their heads as they worked out how their side managed to lose so heavily to Highland opposition.
The Loons really should have been a few goals in front by the break but instead went in at the break a goal down. Stephen Bruce hit a Paul Napier cross beyond home goalkeeper Scott Gallacher and Jamie Shewan bundled the ball home from close range despite the fact he looked a mile offside!
In the second period, while the Buckie keeper performed heroics between the sticks, pulling off at least three point-blank saves, the Forfar defenders presented Buckie with two gifts.
In 56 minutes a slack ball out of defence was pounced on by Martin Charlesworth and he was upended in the box, Craig McMillan stepping up to send the keeper the wrong way from the spot.
At the other end chances came and went for the home side and an afternoon of frustration was made complete four minutes from time when substitute Kevin Fotheringham could only prod an attempted clearance into the path of Charlesworth, who accepted the opportunity to make it three-nil.
Forfar Athletic are preparing to take on Raith Rovers on Tuesday evening, with premier league St. Johnstone in town this coming Saturday (kick-off 3 pm).
The club has been left searching for a stand-in keeper, following the news that Scott Gallacher was likely to miss at least a couple of the friendly matches through injury.
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Weather for Kirriemuir
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 3 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
