Goalkeeper Ewan Henderson is hoping he gets the call for Tuesday night’s clash with Gala Fairydean Rovers.
The shotstopper featured against Alloa Athletic in Stranraer’s previous KDM Evolution Trophy contest earlier this season.
The 21-year-old, who also featured against Motherwell B and St Mirren B last term, was unsure if he would be starting but was hoping Chris Aitken would make him the first name on the teamsheet.
He said: “I think last year was really good for me.
“The first six months were just kind of learning in training.
“The jump was quite big but getting to learn in training and even the matchdays on the Saturdays for the first six months and then they sent me out on loan and I think it was the right time.
“I think that was when I improved the most.”
Henderson spent time on loan at Rutherglen Glencairn last term before returning to the club for the closing weeks of the campaign.
That came after he joined the Blues last summer after signing from Whitletts.
Since then, he has worked alongside Josh Lane, Max Currie, Lyndon Tas and Jim Low.
He told the club website: “I have loved my time at the club.
“There are a lot of really good people at the club.
“Even around matchdays at the ground, getting more friendly with people that work at the club and the volunteers.
“Just having conversations with them, it is a really good club.”
Gala Fairydean Rovers make the trip to The LIME Stadium at Stair Park looking to spring a surprise.
Playing in the Lowland League East – a tier below Stranraer – they will be the underdogs.
However, a positive result would stretch the home side’s unbeaten run to three games having picked up a point away to Stirling Albion on Saturday.
That came after the Blues had held a 2-0 half time lead but the hosts enjoyed a better second half and the contest finished 2-2.
Henderson said: “We were brilliant in the first half.
“They came back into it but it is still a good point away from home.
“I think if we can have a good result on Tuesday that will then push us on to Saturday.”
Last meeting
Stranraer needed a replay to overcome Gala Fairydean more than 40 years ago.
The contest at Stranraer had finished 2-2 but the visitors to the Borders grabbed the only goal of the game to progress to set up a tie with Stenhousemuir.
The Blues also needed a replay to see off the Warriors. The journey came to an end in the third round when Queen of the South won 6-4.
Previous meetings
- Gala Fairydean 0 Stranraer 1 at Netherdale on December 15, 1984
- Stranraer 2 Gala Fairydean 2 at The LIME Stadium at Stair Park on December 8, 1984
Last five games
Stranraer
- DRAW v Stirling Albion (A): 2-2 (Dobbie and Dunne)
- WIN v Spartans (H): 1-0 (McLuckie)
- LOSS v Alloa Athletic (A): 2-1 (Trialist)
- LOSS v Annan Athletic (H): 0-1
- LOSS v Clyde (A): 3-1 (Hughes)
Gala Fairydean Rovers
- LOSS v Hill of Beath Hawthorn (H): 3-4 (Galbraith (Pen), Strickland and Fagan)
- LOSS v Tranent (H): 1-4 (MacDonald)
- LOSS v Rangers B (H): 0-4
- LOSS v Linlithgow Rose (A): 5-0
- WIN v Edinburgh Community (H): 12-1 (Tomany x3, Strickland x2, Denholm x2, Clare, Hall, Reilly, Galbraith (Pen) and Own Goal)
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v Stirling Albion: Currie, Dunne, Ecrepont, McLuckie, Gillie, Quigg, Traynor (Healy 69), Bruce (Stuart 89), McManus (Hughes 56), Mason (Cleland 69), L Dobbie.
Not used: Lynch, Trialist and Henderson.
Gala Fairydean Rovers
Lineup v Hill of Beath Hawthorn: Balfour, MacPherson (Scott 81), Fagan, Kasa, Hall, Galbraith, Reilly, Dougal (Tomany 46), Strickland, Wylie, Denholm (Clare 46).
Not used: Chalmers.
Five facts
- Lewis Dobbie’s goal at Forthbank was the first time Stranraer had scored in the 28th minute since Matty Grant found the net against Stenhousemuir in April 2023.
- The second goalscorer on Saturday – Evan Dunne – now has four for the Blues. That puts him level with a number of players, including Ray Montgomerie, Danny Stoney, Ben Armour and Ryan Borris.
- If selected, Daniel McManus will make his 50th appearance for Stranraer. So far, he has started 35 games and come off the bench on 14 occasions. Along the way, he has found the net three times.
- The Gala Fairydean Rovers’ home ground of Netherdale hosted a game in the Rugby World Cup in 1999.
- Among the players to have played for both Gala Fairydean Rovers and Stranraer is Tommy Sharp. He spent time there before joining Stranraer and then signed for Cumnock Juniors in the summer. He scored twice for Stranraer, including in a 4-1 win over Rangers B in the KDM Evolution Trophy. The Stranraer team that day – August 26, 2025 – was: Lane, Rough, Docherty, Dunne, Coll, Stuart (Quigg 61), Dolan (Turay 46), McKnight (O’Donnell 73), Sharp (Lang 81), Hunter, Edgar (McManus 61). Not used: Ecrepont, Russell and Henderson.
Admission
Admission is ‘pay at the gate’. Season tickets are not valid for Tuesday night’s cup tie.
Away fans can enter the ground from the away turnstile opposite the main stand. This turnstile is cash only.
The following reduced pricing applies:
- Adult – £15
- Concession (over 65) – £10
- Youth (5 to 16) – £5
- Under 5 – FREE
Merchandise
Our new replica away shirts will be available for purchase at the stadium. You can order yours online now, along with a range of Blues merchandise
As ever, the hut at the McLeans Taxis Stand entrance is stocked with all three kits, exclusive Adidas teamwear, hats, scarves, umbrellas, pin badges, key rings, stickers and much more.
Cash and card payments are accepted.
Podcast
Check out the latest edition of club podcast Look Blues Talking for a full preview of Tuesday night’s cup tie, along with a review of last weekend’s win at home to Spartans and all the latest news.
Coverage
If you can’t make it, you can 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, along with full match footage.
Extended highlights will be available via YouTube on Wednesday afternoon.
Photos: Bill McCandlish, Dylan Heron, Colin Poultney (Collarge Images)