Lewis Hunter is hoping to give manager Chris Aitken a hard decision after getting back into the Stranraer team.
The midfielder made his first start in the league since before Christmas when he lined up against Stirling Albion last weekend.
However, he knows it will be hard to nail down a spot in the heart of midfield with Matthew Gillies, Aaron Quigg, Jordan Stuart, Kirk McKnight, Ronan Hughes and Daniel McManus all battling it out for positions.
Hunter started the move that led to Stranraer’s equaliser at Forthbank and was hoping to get more minutes under his belt when Annan Athletic make the trip along the A75 on Saturday.
Speaking on Friday afternoon, he said: “I will just need to wait and see tomorrow.
“If not, I will still be preparing as normal and be ready to make an impact if I am called upon.
“Hopefully, I am back in the team tomorrow.”
Hunter was one of a number of new faces slotting into Aitken’s new look squad in the summer.
A poor first quarter of the campaign, which yielded just five points, had the Blues looking up the League Two table.
Since the beginning of October though, only Saturday’s visitors and East Kilbride have taken three points against them.
Hunter said: “Being at Stranraer, confidence is massive.
“The way we set up, I think we are really difficult to beat.
“I think the change from obviously the first nine games, we had a lot of boys that were coming up from West of Scotland football, boys like Dominic Plank and Matty Gillies have come up from the Hearts B team.
“Them getting used to it was a big factor in those nine games.
“We kept saying in the changing room that once we get that first win it will change and it has worked out that way.”
Saturday’s visitors to Stair Park are no strangers to Hunter.
He made more than 100 appearances for the Galabank club before heading to The Spartans.
The 28-year-old said: “It is always nice to see people.
“I was there for four seasons, almost, so it was a big part of my development.
“Playing League One there was a great experience and most of the boys are still there, a few have moved on, but it is always nice playing against your old team and getting one over on them.
“I know the manager Willie Gibson.
“He was great for me when I was there as a player so I know the capability he has got as a player as well.”
Last meeting
The final league match of 2025 saw both clubs add to their points tally.
Home fans did not have long to wait as Myles Gaffney flicked home a low cross inside the first 45 seconds.
Annan could have added to their advantage before Stranraer were handed a way back into the game. Goalkeeper Gio Clarke failed to hold onto Finn Ecrepont’s cross and brought down James Dolan.
Mark Russell stepped up to score from the penalty spot and the game could have been turned around but Evan Dunne’s header clipped the crossbar.
However, Annan were back in front when Aidan Smith headed home from close range. But the half – and the game – would finish level when Deryn Lang scored from the edge of the box.
Annan Athletic: Clarke, Hooper, Kilsby, Watson, Dixon (Craik 64), Todd, A Smith, R Muir, Maxwell, Gibson, Gaffney (Kalala 80).
Not used: McGowan, P Smith and Fleming.
Stranraer: Lane, Ecrepont, Reid, Rough, Dunne (Docherty 76), Russell (Stuart 65), Plank, McManus (Hughes 86), Gillies (Quigg 76), Dolan (Hunter 86), Lang.
Not used: McKnight, Sharp and Henderson.
Last five meetings
- Annan Athletic 2 Stranraer 2 (Gaffney and A Smith; Russell (Pen) and Lang) at Galabank on December 27, 2025
- Stranraer 0 Annan Athletic 1 (Watson) at Stair Park on October 4, 2025
- Stranraer 1 Annan Athletic 5 (Dunlop; A Smith x2, Gibson (Pen), Wood and Dixon) at Stair Park on September 7, 2024
- Annan Athletic 3 Stranraer 1 (Kilsby, Docherty and A Smith; McDonald) at Galabank on August 15, 2023
- Annan Athletic 0 Stranraer 0 at Galabank on March 25, 2023
Last five games
Stranraer
- 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)
- DRAW v Forfar Athletic (A): 2-2 (Ecrepont and Lang)
Annan Athletic
- DRAW v Clyde (H): 1-1 (A Smith)
- DRAW v Edinburgh City (A): 2-2 (Gaffney and Dixon)
- LOSS v Rangers (H): 5-0
- DRAW v Stranraer (H): 2-2 (Gaffney and A Smith)
- WIN v East Kilbride (A): 1-3 (Gibson, Dixon and Craik)
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v Stirling Albion: Currie, Reid, McGrath, Dunne, Coll, Plank, Gillies, Hunter (Hughes 76), Dolan, Lang, Cleland (O’Donnell 78).
Not used: Ecrepont, Docherty, Quigg, McKnight and Henderson.
Annan Athletic
Lineup v Clyde: Albinson, Hooper, Watson, Clark, Carrick, T Muir (P Smith 78), A Smith, Scott (Dixon 46), Maxwell, Gibson, Mumbongo (Gaffney 65).
Not used: Kilsby, Deveney, McGowan, R Muir and Clarke.
Five facts
- Deryn Lang will make his 50th start for Stranraer if selected for Saturday’s contest with Annan Athletic.
- Stranraer have not only not beaten Annan Athletic this season but fans need to cast their minds back to July 2022 for the last victory. That is a seven-game winless run. A Paul Woods penalty gave the Blues all three points at Stair Park.
- Mark Russell signed off his Stranraer career with 70 appearances, including 10 from the bench. He also scored 18 goals for the club. That puts him level with Frank McKeown and Stephen Stirling.
- Stuart McColm, who played for both Stranraer and Annan Athletic, was the first man to score in an SPFL meeting between the two sides. He found the net after 34 minutes at Stair Park before Michael Moore added a second after the break. The home team on August 22, 2009, was: David Mitchell, Wright, Noble, Agostini, Henderson, McInnes (Jones 82), Nicoll, Danny Mitchell (Aitken 46), McColm (Jack 71), Moore, McGeough. Not used: Montgomerie and Reid.
- The first Annan player to score against Stranraer was also someone that played for both clubs: Bryan Gilfillan. He made 16 appearances for the Blues in 2006.
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.
You can pick up a bargain with our Stranraer FC 2026 calendar (also available online via Shopify).
Cash and card payments are accepted.
You can also purchase a range of merchandise online.
Pavilion Bar
Pop into our popular Pavilion Bar outside the away turnstile for a 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.
Podcast
In the latest episode of Look Blues Talking, we look back on the score draw at Stirling and ahead to this weekend’s home meeting with Annan.
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 Laurence Nelson and Brian Martin on commentary.
Photos: Bill McCandlish, Colin Poultney (Collarge Images)
