Lyndon Tas is relishing the opportunity to get out and enjoy first team football.
The goalkeeping situation has changed significantly at Stranraer in recent weeks, with the on-loan Hearts teenager a key part of it.
Josh Lane has returned to Hamilton Academical, while Ewan Henderson has moved out on loan to Rutherglen Glencairn.
Former Blue Max Currie has become a current Blue, and Tas is his competition for the number one shirt at Stair Park.
On Saturday, Currie, Tas and team-mates will be looking for a home win to boost their play-off chances when Spartans visit for the second time this campaign.
Tas said: “I am really looking forward to the match and to be involved in it.
“It is a great opportunity again and a big game.
“Spartans are up the top of the league and it is definitely a game at home where we are confident.
“We are hoping for three points to help us get to the play-offs at the end of the season.”
Of course, Tas is no stranger to the Stair Park faithful having stepped in for the Scottish Cup clash against Queen’s Park.
The shotstopper put in an impressive showing that saw his new club emerge victorious on the night, only for the Spiders to be put through due to Tas being ineligible to play.
He described the issue as “out of my control” and instead was focusing on his performance on the night.
He said: “It was a big game and I grew into it a bit more as I got used to the conditions.
“It was quite a hard night to play football, especially with the wind in the first half.
“I grew into the game more and had a save in the second half at 1-1 that was good and gave me more confidence going into the penalty shoot-out.”
Tas, who has played for Hearts in both the Scottish Lowland Football League and the KDM Evolution Trophy this season, actually had a brief spell at Spartans when he was younger.
He added: “I think I know some of the coaches who are with the first team now!”
Last meeting
Arguably, Stranraer’s best performance of the season came at Ainslie Park in November.
The Blues visited the league leaders and were 4-0 up by half time, with the points just about secure.
Spartans actually had a couple of chances early on with Marc McNulty denied by Josh Lane before the goalkeeper kept out a scramble from a corner. From then on, it was Stranraer who seemed to score every time they went forward.
First, Deryn Lang managed to turn in the six-yard box before rifling beyond Paddy Martin. Then, Ethan Drysdale was punished for a foul on Evan Dunne and Mark Russell scored the resultant penalty.
Two would soon become three when James Dolan’s free-kick fell kindly for Aaron Quigg to sweep home. And the half – and the scoring – was rounded off when Dunne fired home at the second attempt after the home side failed to deal with a corner.
Spartans: Martin, Watson, Booth (Craigen 32), Tapping (Dall 75), Welsh, Aiken (Wylie 75), Drysdale, Whyte, McNulty, Nair, Stowe (Ndlovu 81).
Not used: Brown, Innes and Carswell.
Stranraer: Lane, Ecrepont, Reid (Docherty 75), Rough, Dunne (Coll 75), Dolan, Quigg, Russell, Plank (Hughes 82), Gillies (Stuart 75), Lang (McManus 81).
Not used: McKnight, Hunter, Edgar and Henderson.
Last five meetings
- Spartans 0 Stranraer 4 (Lang, M Russell (Pen), Quigg and Dunne) at Ainslie Park on November 22, 2025
- Stranraer 0 Spartans 2 (Dishington and C Russell) at Stair Park on September 13, 2025
- Spartans 2 Stranraer 1 (Walls and C Russell; Guthrie) at Ainslie Park on April 5, 2025
- Stranraer 2 Spartans 0 (Docherty and Edgar) at Stair Park on February 1, 2025
- Spartans 1 Stranraer 3 (Henderson; Dunlop and M Russell x2 (Pen x1)) at Ainslie Park on December 10, 2024
Last five games
Stranraer
- DRAW v Annan Athletic (H): 0-0
- DRAW v Stirling Albion (A): 1-1 (Lang)
- WIN v East Kilbride (A): 0-2 (Dolan and Cleland)
- WIN v Queen’s Park (H): 1-1 (Stranraer win 6-5 on penalties) (Plank)
- LOSS v Ayr United (A): 4-1 (Hughes)
Spartans
- LOSS v Dundee United (A): 2-1 (Stowe)
- DRAW v Edinburgh City (H): 0-0
- DRAW v Elgin City (A): 3-3 (McNulty (Pen), Whyte and Russell)
- WIN v East Kilbride (A): 0-6 (Dishington, Stowe x2, McNulty and Russell x2 (Pen x1))
- LOSS v Clyde (A): 2-1 (Stowe)
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v Annan Athletic: Currie, Reid, McGrath, Dunne, Coll, Dolan (McManus 67), Quigg (Hughes 78), Plank, Gillies (McKnight 39), Lang, Cleland (O’Donnell 67).
Not used: Ecrepont, Docherty, Hunter and Tas.
Spartans
Lineup v Dundee United: Martin, Watson, Waugh, Sonkur, Tapping (Nair 44), Craigen, Welsh (Aiken 59), Whyte, Russell, McNulty (Stowe 59), Dishington (Wylie 81).
Not used: Booth, Chisholm, Dall, Ndlovu and Carswell.
Five facts
- Stranraer and Spartans have faced each other at Stair Park on seven occasions. The Blues have averaged almost three goals a game in that time, with 20 goals scored.
- Spartans have drawn their last two league encounters – with Edinburgh City and Elgin City. They have not drawn three league games in a row since September 2023 when they drew with Forfar Athletic, East Fife and Bonnyrigg Rose, with all of those games finishing 2-2.
- The last time Stranraer played on February 21 was 11 years ago when they travelled to Cappielow. Greenock Morton would win 2-0, with goals from Declan McManus and a certain Mark Russell.
- Stranraer have scored 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7 goals against Spartans but never six.
- The two sides have played each other on 12 occasions. The record is perfectly balanced with both clubs enjoying five victories and the remaining two contests finishing level.
Admission
Admission at the LIME Stadium is ‘pay at the gate’ only. Season tickets are valid for Saturday’s game.
Away fans can enter the ground from the away turnstile opposite the main stand. This turnstile is cash only.
The following pricing applies:
- Adult – £15
- Concession (over 65) – £10
- Youth (5 to 16) – £5
- Under 5 – FREE
Merchandise
We’re stocked with all three Adidas kits, hats, scarves, umbrellas, warm layers, pin badges, key rings and more.
Cash and card payments are accepted.
You can also purchase a range of merchandise online.
Podcast
In the latest episode of Look Blues Talking, we hear from ‘The Vegan Groundhopper’ Derek Hart, discuss all things League Two and look ahead to this weekend’s home meeting with Spartans.
Coverage
If you’re further afield, follow our live matchday updates on X (formerly Twitter).
The manager’s post-match reaction will be available on YouTube following the game.
Club 1870 subscribers get a first look at the goals on Saturday night, along with full match footage the next day.
Extended highlights will be available via YouTube on Sunday, with Brian Martin and Cameron Ritchie calling the action.
Photos: Bill McCandlish, MadMac Photography, Colin Poultney (Collarge Images)
