Defender Craig Ross wants to put the 2024/25 season into the record books with a victory.
Twelve months ago, the Blues defeated league champions Stenhousemuir but it proved not enough as they finished bottom of League Two.
Saturday’s opponent Bonnyrigg Rose face a similar situation knowing they could finish their final league game of the season with a win and yet finish as club 42 if Forfar Athletic pick up a result.
Stranraer would go on to beat East Kilbride – potential opponents for Bonnyrigg or Forfar – in the play-off, with Ross scoring a vital goal.
He said: “This game almost feels stress free compared to last season.
“Last season, we were not anywhere near where we wanted to be but came out the right side of it.
“The difference in feeling in the whole club is miles better knowing that we have not got that shadow hanging over us of potentially being relegated.”
One positive sign for the visitors is that they have picked up nine points out of nine in the league encounters with Stranraer this season.
To a football neutral, it would seem that the visitors from Midlothian have everything to play for and Stranraer very little.
However, Ross, who passed 150 games for Stranraer last month, is determined to get a first league win against Bonnyrigg this season and to wrap up the campaign in style.
He said: “We want to win every game, no matter whether we are playing for something or not.
“Bonnyrigg will bring a good crowd and they are fighting for their lives.
“We need to stand strong to what they have got to throw at us and try to beat them.
“We have not done that in the league and we want to go out and put that right and not feel sorry for them.”
Saturday will mark appearance number 43 of the season for the popular defender.
Of the previous 42 appearances so far this campaign, he has played in every minute.
However, he was an unused substitute against Hamilton Academicals at the beginning of the campaign and he said: “Scott Agnew pulled me aside to rest me and I did not think too much of it.
“I look at it now and it irritates the life out of me!
“Playing every single minute of every single game would have been brilliant so it is frustrating!”
Last meeting
Bonnyrigg Rose continued their fine record against Stranraer with a midweek win in January.
Bradley Barrett opened the scoring with a low drive, which was just beyond the reach of Josh Lane, from outside the box.
That lead was doubled before the break when Neil Martyniuk sent the goalkeeper the wrong way from the penalty spot.
Any slim chance of a comeback was killed off when a Stranraer defender turned Cameron Ross’ low ball into his own net.
The visitors did at least get on the scoresheet when Mark Russell finished in style from the edge of the box.
Bonnyrigg Rose: Martin, Mailer, Martyniuk, Young, Murphy, Currie, Barrett, Lennon, Porteous (Connolly 71), Ferrie (Arnott 67), Cameron Ross (McGachie 84).
Not used: Smutek, Scarborough, Stenhouse and Andrews.
Stranraer: Lane, Robertson, Craig Ross, McIntosh (Docherty 55), Reid, Dunlop, Russell, Quigg (Grant 64), Ecrepont, Guthrie (Byrne 55), Foster (Edgar 55).
Not used: Brindley, Gallagher, McKnight and Kane.
Last five meetings
- Bonnyrigg Rose 3 Stranraer 1 (Barrett, Martyniuk (Pen) and Own goal; Russell) at New Dundas Park on January 28, 2025
- Stranraer 1 Bonnyrigg Rose 2 (Robertson; Cameron Ross and McGachie) at Stair Park on November 16, 2024
- Bonnyrigg Rose 2 Stranraer 0 (Young and Connolly) at New Dundas Park on August 31, 2024
- Stranraer 2 Bonnyrigg Rose 1 (Russell and Craig Ross; Own goal) at Stair Park on August 13, 2024
- Stranraer 1 Bonnyrigg Rose 1 (Lang; Martyniuk (Pen)) at Stair Park on March 30, 2024
Last five games
Stranraer
- LOSS v Elgin City (A): 3-0
- WIN v Edinburgh City (H): 2-0 (Guthrie and Lang)
- LOSS v Stirling Albion (A): 3-1 (Dunlop)
- LOSS v Spartans (A): 2-1 (Guthrie)
- LOSS v Clyde (H): 1-2 (Russell (Pen))
Bonnyrigg Rose
- WIN v Spartans (H): 2-1 (Aiken and Arnott)
- WIN v Forfar Athletic (A): 0-2 (Martyniuk (Pen) and Ross)
- LOSS v East Fife (H): 0-2
- LOSS v Peterhead (A): 5-0
- LOSS v Elgin City (H): 0-1
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v Elgin City: Lane, Reid, Craig Ross, Robertson, Ecrepont, Brindley, Quigg (Wilde 73), Russell, Dunlop, Lang (McKnight 46), Edgar (Hilferty 76).
Not used: Kane.
Bonnyrigg Rose
Lineup v Spartans: Martin, Somerville (Ferrie 88), Martyniuk, Connolly, Mailer (Lennon 57), Currie, Aiken, Murphy (Watson 88), Arnott, Cameron Ross, McGachie (Porteous 78).
Not used: Hogg and Andrews.
Five facts
1. Ryan Edgar, Ally Hilferty and Adam Wilde all played some part at Elgin City last weekend. The last time Stranraer had at least three players from the town take to the park in a single game was the final game of 2019. Dumbarton had opened the scoring through Ryan Tierney with five minutes left but, fittingly, James Hilton levelled the scores. Lewis McIntyre started the game while Lewis Dunn and Reece Agnew came on. The visiting team was: Currie, Allan, Cummins, McIntyre, McManus, Hilton, Pignatiello (Dunn 85), Elliott, Jones, Dangana (Agnew 76), Stirling. Not used: Phillips and Burgess.
2. So far this season, 33 players have pulled on a Stranraer shirt and taken to the pitch. A further five have been unused substitutes. In comparison, 30 players stepped onto the pitch last season (2023/24), 27 the season before (2022/23), 28 under Jamie Hamill and Darryl Duffy (2021/22), 21 (2020/21) and 27 (2019/20).
3. On the last 10 occasions when Stranraer have played at home on the last day of the season they have won seven. Each of the victories have been against different sides (Stenhousemuir, Elgin City, Edinburgh City, East Fife, Cowdenbeath, Forfar Athletic and Clyde).
4. Saturday would mark the 84th birthday of former Stranraer player Ernie Yard, who, sadly, died in 2004. He played for his hometown club in the late 1950s and early 1960s before going on to Kilmarnock and Partick Thistle. He would then head south of the border and played for Bury, Crystal Palace and Reading. He finished his career at Cape Town City in South Africa.
5. To have any chance of avoiding the relegation playoff, Bonnyrigg Rose have to win at Stair Park. That would be a third consecutive win for the Midlothian side, something they have not managed since gaining promotion to SPFL League Two.
Admission
Admission in the Eco Gen Stadium at Stair Park 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
All three 2024/25 Mizuno kits are available from the merchandise hut outside the main McLeans Taxis Stand, along with training tops, clothing, scarves and club ties.
Cash and card payments are accepted and we open from 1.30pm.
You can also purchase a range of merchandise online.
Pavilion Bar
Pop into the 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.
Dumfries and Galloway Mental Health Association
We welcome our friends at Dumfries and Galloway Mental Health Association (DGMHA) for a bucket collection in the grounds of the Eco Gen Stadium this Saturday.
DGMHA offers support with social outings, life skills, medication, meals, personal care, and many other aspects of day to day life for those within our community.
Any donations are greatly appreciated.
Player of the Year awards
Our Player of the Year awards night takes place on Saturday evening at the Stranraer FC Fitba’ Bar, and limited tickets remain online.
Hosted by our very own Laurence Nelson and Brian Martin, the evening will feature a welcome from club chairman Iain Dougan, the official awards presentations, and a closing address from Blues manager Chris Aitken.
Doors open at 6pm with the event kicking off at 6.30pm, followed by a buffet, prize raffle, and pay bar, which will be open late.
You can collect your tickets from the main office at the Eco Gen Stadium before Saturday’s match.
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 from 10pm on Saturday night, along with full match footage.
Extended highlights will be available via YouTube on Sunday, with Laurence Nelson and Brian Martin calling the action for one final time this season.
Photos: Bill McCandlish
