Finn Ecrepont believes Stranraer have nothing to fear as they get ready for a top-of-the-table clash with Clyde.
Goal difference is all that separates the two teams at the top of Scottish League Two after 11 fixtures.
Ecrepont, who will not be involved as he continues his comeback from a hamstring injury suffered against Berwick Rangers in the KDM Evolution Trophy, was looking forward to the game.
He said: “Every single game we have played has been a big game.
“That is whether you are top or bottom.
“Every Saturday gets bigger and bigger.
“Saturday is not the be all and end all but, at the same time, you win, get three points, the goal difference and you carry on the form you are in.
“We need to take care of Saturday, we have got home advantage and we have got nothing to fear.”
Chris Aitken’s team have bounced back in impressive fashion since losing their first two league games of the season.
A 6-1 win over Annan Athletic at Galabank means Clyde are now the only side in the league that Stranraer have not taken points from following the 3-1 defeat on the opening day.
Ecrepont said: “I don’t think we have lost in the league since those first two games of the season.
“In that sense, we know how big Saturday is.
“There is no getting away from it.”
Ecrepont was forced off through injury before half time at Shielfield Park last month.
Fortunately, the full-back is confident he is well on course for a return to the first team squad.
The former Ayr United defender, who is now in his fifth season at The LIME Stadium at Stair Park, has been patiently watching from the sidelines.
In addition, on two occasions, he has even stepped into the role of commentator, offering his insight in both the contests with East Kilbride and Kilmarnock B.
He said: “We are getting there.
“Hopefully, only a couple of weeks but it has been a long five weeks since that night in Berwick.
“We are getting there and the progress has been good.”
Last meeting
Stranraer took the lead against Clyde when the two sides met on the opening day of the season.
Ronan Hughes capitalised on a slack backpass from Logan Dunachie to steer home the opener.
The equaliser came in odd circumstances as Max Currie blocked Scott Williamson’s shot with his foot, only for the ball to strike Lewis Gillie and loop back over the goalkeeper.
Clyde’s second came when Lewis Lovering headed home from a cross on the left, and any chance of a comeback was ended when Nathan Cannon’s clever flick rolled into the bottom corner.
Clyde: Hogarth, Lovering, Howie, Dunachie, Rooney, Fleming, Redfern (Gilligan 87), Cuddihy (Strachan 87), Connell (Hilton 78), Cannon (Cruden 89), Williamson (Scott 78).
Not used: Campbell, Inglis, Anderson and Terry.
Stranraer: Currie, Dunne, Nair (Cameron 72), Gillie, Coll (Ecrepont 46), Quigg, Healy, Traynor (Cleland 62), Bruce, Hughes (Binnie 82), Dobbie.
Not used: McLuckie, Lynch and Henderson.
Last five meetings
- Clyde 3 Stranraer 1 (Own goal, Lovering and Cannon; Hughes) at New Douglas Park on August 1, 2026
- Stranraer 3 Clyde 1 (Own goal, Dunne and Lang; Cannon) at The LIME Stadium at Stair Park on March 24, 2026
- Clyde 2 Stranraer 1 (Cuddihy and Leitch; Hughes) at New Douglas Park on March 21, 2026
- Clyde 0 Stranraer 0 at New Douglas Park on November 8, 2025
- Stranraer 1 Clyde 1 (O’Donnell; Hilton) at The LIME Stadium at Stair Park on August 23, 2025
Last five games
Stranraer
- WIN v Tayport (H): 3-1 (Dobbie, Nair and Foster)
- WIN v Spartans (A): 0-2 (Mason and Healy)
- DRAW v Kilmarnock B (H): 3-3 (Mason (Pen), Quigg and Plank)
- WIN v Annan Athletic (A): 1-6 (Healy x2, Traynor, Own goal and Cleland x2)
- DRAW v Edinburgh City (H): 0-0
Clyde
- WIN v Penicuik Athletic (A): 1-1 (Clyde win 4-3 on penalties) (Hilton)
- WIN v Annan Athletic (H): 4-1 (Cuddihy, Connell and Williamson x2)
- WIN v Clachnacuddin (H): 5-1 (Kiltie x2, Lovering, Connell and Dunachie)
- WIN v Dumbarton (H): 2-1 (Williamson and Bradley)
- LOSS v Elgin City (A): 6-2 (Connell and Dunachie)
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v Tayport: Henderson, Coll, Nair, McLuckie, Cameron (Dunne 46), Stuart, Dolan (Plank 46), Traynor (Quigg 68), Healy, Mason (Cleland 76), Dobbie (Foster 82).
Not used: Gillie and Marinovic.
Clyde
Lineup v Penicuik Athletic: Smith, Lovering, Dunachie, Howie, Rooney, Fleming, Bradley (Anderson 92), Connell, Hilton (Hynes 96), Scott (Cuddihy 73), Williamson.
Not used: Cruden, Forrest, Inglis, Kiltie, Strachan and Terry.
Five facts
- Goalkeeper Enzo Marinovic was named on the Stranraer bench for the victory over Tayport last weekend. The former Edinburgh City shotstopper became the 28th player named in a Stranraer squad this season. Marinovic and Dylan Marshall are the only two not to play a minute.
- Stranraer and Clyde have only battled out a single goalless draw at The LIME Stadium at Stair Park in the last 25+ years. That came in October 2011. The home side was: David Mitchell, Kane, Noble, Taggart, McKeown, Shepherd (McColm 63), Stirling, Gallagher (Winter 73), Danny Mitchell, Moore (Grehan 73), Malcolm. Not used: Aitken and Marshall.
- Mark Docherty only scored one goal for Stranraer and that came against Clyde. The Scottish Cup contest ended 4-1 to the Blues, with all the goals coming in the second half. Kevin Watt opened the scoring for the visitors to The LIME Stadium at Stair Park before Docherty, Frank McKeown, Jamie Longworth and Martin Grehan turned the game around.
- Frontman Michael Geraghty was born 56 years ago on Friday. He had two spells with Stranraer between 1998 and 2001. He also played for Hamilton Academicals, Ross County, Clydebank and Stirling Albion. Also born on October 30 was Gavin Fletcher, who joined the Blues in the 1960s after previously playing for Bradford City.
- Stranraer will play Clachnacuddin in the Scottish Cup next month. They are no strangers to Stranraer’s opponents on Saturday having played each other on October 13. Clyde ran out 5-1 winners, thanks to a double from Bobby Kiltie, alongside goals from Lewis Lovering, Kyle Connell and Logan Dunachie. Shae Keogh found the net for the Inverness side.
Admission
Admission is ‘pay at the gate’. Season tickets are valid for Saturday’s league 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 – £17
- Concession (over 65) – £12
- Youth (5 to 16) – £6
- Under 5 – FREE
Pavilion Bar
Pop into our ever-popular Pavilion Bar outside the away turnstile from 1pm for a pre-match refreshment with fellow fans.
Home, away and neutral supporters are warmly welcomed, and the bar accepts both cash and card.
Or, stop off at the Stranraer FC Fitba’ Bar on North Strand Street in the town centre, which is also open to all.
Merchandise
Stop off at the new club shop in the McLeans Taxis Stand, which is stocked with kits, exclusive Adidas teamwear, hats, scarves, umbrellas, pin badges, key rings, stickers and much more.
Cash and card payments are accepted.
Podcast
Catch the latest edition of club podcast Look Blues Talking for a full preview of this weekend’s top of the table clash, along with post-match reaction from Scottish Cup scorer Kenzi Nair and all the talking points from the win over Tayport.
Coverage
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 on Saturday night, along with full match footage.
Extended highlights will be available via YouTube by Sunday morning, with Laurence Nelson and Brian Martin on commentary.
Photos: Bill McCandlish, Dylan Heron