Saturday marks the start of a new era for Stranraer following the departure of Scott Agnew.
Scott Robertson and Paul Woods will take charge of the Blues in the SPFL Trust Trophy clash with Annan Athletic.
The duo know the club inside out having played more than 450 games between them for Stranraer.
But it will be a new experience for both as they lead Stranraer, hopefully, to the next round of the tournament.
Robertson said: “I’m absolutely buzzing for Saturday.
“I was absolutely happy doing what I was doing and doing it with Aggy.
“The hope was to continue doing it with Aggy for a couple of years but that’s football and things change.
“The end goal for me is to be a manager, whenever that was.
“I didn’t do my coaching badges seven years ago for the sake of it.
“I just did not think it was going to be as quick as now but I cannot wait.”
Robertson, who has played more than 365 games for Stranraer over two spells, became player/assistant manager at the start of the season following the departure of Peter Weatherson.
He told the club website how he had enjoyed working alongside Agnew.
He said: “Obviously, Scott leaving was a bit of a shock to everybody.
“I’m thankful to him for bringing me in as assistant this season.
“He is a good guy and a really good friend.
“We have been friends for a while – since we played alongside each other – but I would like to think he is a right good friend now after the last couple of years.
“I’m obviously thankful to him for giving me the chance that he did.”
Saturday’s game brings a handful of familiar faces back to the Eco Gen Stadium at Stair Park.
Greg Fleming, Tommy Muir and Kyle Fleming all enjoyed a season at the western end of Dumfries and Galloway.
Meanwhile, player/manager Willie Gibson and assistant manager Steven Bell played more than 250 games between them for the Blues.
Robertson was looking forward to welcoming his two friends but insisted there would be no preferential treatment on offer.
He said: “It’s a challenge.
“Annan are in the league above, it is going to be a difficult game, but once the game starts it is no different to anyone else.
“I have never really been one, believe it or not, for talking to other players, even if I was pals with them, before games or during games.
“I’m not one that will stand in the tunnel and have a laugh with a player that I played with previously just because I am pals with them.
“I will maybe say ‘hi’ to them when they walk in, but I will see them at 4.45pm afterwards.”
Last meeting
Three goals in 11 minutes allowed Annan Athletic to take victory against Stranraer just over 12 months ago.
The deadlock was broken by the visitors to Galabank when Olly McDonald followed up his saved penalty to tuck home the rebound. However, Max Kilsby equalised just before the half time whistle.
The hosts were out of the blocks quickly in the second half and Dominic Docherty collected a ball out wide before curling home a lovely effort.
The win was wrapped up when Aiden Smith poked the ball home from just outside the six yard box.
Annan Athletic: G Fleming, Hooper, Kilsby, Douglas, Dixon (Maxwell 89), Luissint, Docherty, Smith, Gibson, Cross-Adair (Galloway 75), Garrity.
Not used: Jamieson, Cranston, Crawford, McMenamin and Mitchell.
Stranraer: M McDonald, Robertson (Forrest 53), Williamson, Ross, McIntosh, Girvan, Dolan, K Fleming, Armour, Walker (Hughes 67), O McDonald (Orr 53).
Not used: O’Connor.
Last five meetings
- Annan Athletic 3 Stranraer 1 (Kilsby, Docherty and Smith; O McDonald) at Galabank on August 15, 2023
- Annan Athletic 0 Stranraer 0 at Galabank on March 25, 2023
- Stranraer 1 Annan Athletic 1 (Hawkshaw; Smith) at Stair Park on November 26, 2022
- Annan Athletic 1 Stranraer 1 (Galloway; Hilton) at Galabank on October 15, 2022
- Stranraer 1 Annan Athletic 0 (Woods (Pen)) at Stair Park on July 30, 2022
Last five games
Stranraer
- LOSS v Bonnyrigg Rose (A): 2-0
- DRAW v Elgin City (H): 1-1 (Robertson)
- LOSS v Peterhead (A): 1-0
- WIN v Bonnyrigg Rose (H): 2-1 (Russell and Ross)
- LOSS v Clyde (A): 1-0
Annan Athletic
- LOSS v Stenhousemuir (A) 5-1 (Smith (Pen))
- LOSS v Alloa Athletic (H): 0-1
- LOSS v Queen of the South (A): 2-0
- WIN v Inverness Caledonian Thistle (H): 1-0 (Goss (Pen))
- WIN v Cove Rangers (A): 1-3 (Kilsby, Todd and Zaid)
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v Bonnyrigg Rose: Pazikas, Cummins, Ross, Ecrepont, McIntosh (Robertson 46), Gallagher, Dunlop (Edgar 72), Russell, Hawkshaw (Lang 65), Hughes, Guthrie (Grant 46).
Not used: McKnight, Brindley, Woods, Adam and Broun.
Annan Athletic
Lineup v Stenhousemuir: J Smith, Barnes (Lennon 62), T Muir, R Muir, Kilsby, McGowan (Maxwell 78), Todd (Dixosn 62), A Smith, Wood, Gibson (Zaid 67), Ross.
Not used: K Fleming, Bell and G Fleming.
Five facts
1. More than half of Dean Hawkshaw’s goals for Stranraer have come against Annan Athletic. He scored at Galabank in March 2022 and also at Stair Park in November of the same year.
2. Annan Athletic’s management team of Willie Gibson and Steven Bell played more than 250 games for Stranraer. Gibson’s final appearance for the Blues came in a 2-1 win over East Fife, while Bell signed off with a 5-1 home defeat to Ayr United.
3. Saturday marks the 23rd birthday of former Stranraer goalkeeper Jamie Walker. He spent two seasons at the Blues but failed to dislodge Greg Fleming – now of Annan Athletic – and then Curtis Lyle, Luke Scullion and Jack Baker. He also had loan spells at Kilbirnie Ladeside and Bonnyton Thistle before spending last season with Beith.
4. Stranraer have not scored more than one goal against Annan Athletic in their last seven meetings. The last occasion was a 2-2 draw at Galabank in November 2021. The Blues twice led with Ross Smith opening the scoring before Aiden Smith levelled things up. Paul Woods scored late on but there was still enough time for Owen Moxon to equalise.
5. Annan Athletic have a 100 per cent record against Stranraer in the Challenge Cup/SPFL Trust Trophy, while Stranraer have a 100 per cent record against Annan Athletic in the League Cup.
Merchandise
Our stunning new 2024/25 Mizuno home jersey will be available in limited sizes from the merchandise hut outside the main McLeans Taxis Stand.
Inspired by the shores of Loch Ryan, the new tops are priced as follows:
- Adult £55
- Youth £45
Cash and card payments are accepted, and we have a range of sizes available, along with away strips, training tops and more from 1.30pm.
All three tops are also available to order from our online shop, with back orders available for any out of stock sizes.
Parking
There is parking space throughout the grassy areas of Stair Park, and you should find a spot within the grounds.
With delays expected on the A77 due to the International Ayr Show – Festival of Flight, please allow plenty of time for your journey and travel safely.
Admission
Admission in the Eco Gen Stadium at Stair Park is ‘pay at the gate’ only.
Away fans can enter the ground from the away turnstile opposite the main stand. This turnstile is cash only.
The following pricing applies for Saturday’s cup tie:
- Adult – £15
- Concession (over 65) – £10
- Youth (5 to 16) – £5
- Under 5 – FREE
Pavilion Bar
Drop into the Pavilion Bar outside the away turnstile from 1pm for a pre-match refreshment.
Home, away and neutral supporters are warmly welcomed, and the bar accepts both cash and card.
Or, stop into the Stranraer FC Fitba’ Bar on North Strand Street in the town centre, which is also open to all.
Coverage
Heralded by BBC presenter Craig G Telfer as the “custard cream” of Scottish football commentary, Laurence Nelson and Brian Martin will bring you every last crumb of action from this weekend’s cup tie.
Our post match managerial interview will be available on YouTube following the game, and extended highlights will follow on Sunday morning.
Club 1870 subscribers can catch the goals from 10pm on Saturday evening, along with full match footage later on Sunday.
As usual. we’ll have live matchday updates on X (formerly Twitter) for those further afield.
Photos: MadMac Photography, Bill McCandlsh
