Vice-captain Beejay Coll has described Stranraer’s upcoming games as “crucial” in their bid to challenge for promotion.
The Blues defeated second placed East Kilbride on Saturday while third placed Clyde were beating league leaders Spartans.
On Tuesday, the top two face each other while Stranraer welcome Clyde to the LIME Stadium at Stair Park.
Coll predicted there would be plenty of twists and turns over the coming months with clubs battling it out in a bid to finish top of League Two.
He said: “A wee run of wins can put you right up in there and a wee run of losses can make you think that your season is done.
“I think that shows you how strong the league is – anyone can beat anyone on any given day.
“I just think we need to continue our momentum and the confidence that we have been playing with.
“Hopefully, we will see where that takes us.
“Obviously, we cannot do anything about other teams.
“We just need to focus on ourselves but it just shows you with Clyde beating Spartans and us beating East Kilbride and right down to the teams down below, they are beating each other as well.
“I think this is a crucial time of the season that will define where we finish.
“I think maybe the next four or five games we will see but I do think it is going to go right down to the wire.”
James Dolan and Dean Cleland scored the goals at K Park Stadium as Stranraer picked up their second win of the season against their rivals.
Coll was brought back into the team for his first league start since the beginning of October and helped the Blues to keep a clean sheet in the 2-0 win.
The full-back was part of the celebrations when on-loan Hibs youngster Cleland scored his first goal for the club.
He said: “Obviously, we were put together in the summer and there were a lot of changes but I don’t think the gaffer ever doubted our ability to go and do well.
“Obviously, there are still 15 games to go and there is still a lot to be done but I think you can see the real bond.”
Clyde are one of just two League Two sides not to be beaten by Stranraer this season.
A 1-1 draw in Wigtownshire was followed by a goalless stalemate in South Lanarkshire.
If results go in Stranraer’s favour in the midweek fixtures, it would close the gap among the top four once again.
Coll said: “It just shows you they have been close and competitive games.
“I think that comes with playing each other so many times.
“You get to know each other and players come in and players go out.
“That’s where the backroom team and the gaffer they worked on seeing how Clyde played on Saturday.
“They would have had somebody at the game.
“Hopefully, we can go into Tuesday and get a positive result.”
Last meeting
It finished goalless when Stranraer travelled to New Douglas Park in November but that is not to say there were no chances.
Deryn Lang was denied in the opening 60 seconds after the home side surrendered possession. Goalkeeper Jay Hogarth also kept out a Finn Ecrepont free-kick before Josh Lane pulled off a stunning save to keep out Sam Campbell.
The second half was quieter but Lane was on hand to keep out a long distance effort from former Blue James Hilton.
Clyde: Hogarth, Campbell, Howie, Hynes (Lyon 70), Leitch (Redfern 68), Hilton, Niang (Dunachie 76), Fleming, Sutherland, Murdoch, Connell (Williamson 68).
Not used: Nevans and Kinnear.
Stranraer: Lane, Ecrepont, Reid, Rough, Stuart, Quigg, McKnight, Russell (Sharp 81), Gillies (Plank 62), Lang (Dunne 89), Edgar (Hunter 62).
Not used: Coll, Dolan, Hughes and Henderson.
Last five meetings
- Clyde 0 Stranraer 0 at New Douglas Park on November 8, 2025
- Stranraer 1 Clyde 1 (O’Donnell; Hilton) at Stair Park on August 23, 2025
- Stranraer 1 Clyde 2 (Russell (Pen); Rennie x2) at Stair Park on March 29, 2025
- Clyde 2 Stranraer 0 (Rennie and Williamson) at New Douglas Park on February 8, 2025
- Stranraer 1 Clyde 1 (Russell (Pen); Allan) at Stair Park on December 28, 2024
Last five games
Stranraer
- 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)
- DRAW v Edinburgh City (H): 1-1 (Lang)
Clyde
- WIN v Spartans (H): 2-1 (Own goal and Leitch)
- DRAW v Forfar Athletic (H): 1-1 (T Sutherland)
- DRAW v East Kilbride (A): 1-1 (Dunachie)
- LOSS v Stirling Albion (H): 1-2 (Hilton (Pen))
- LOSS v Queen’s Park (A): 2-1 (Williamson)
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v East Kilbride: Currie, Coll (Ecrepont 79), Reid, Rough, Dunne, Plank (Hunter 76), Quigg, Gillies, Dolan (Hughes 84), Lang (Russell 53), Cleland (O’Donnell 84).
Not used: Docherty, McKnight and Henderson.
Clyde
Lineup v Spartans: Hogarth, Campbell (R Lyon 69), Dunachie, Howie, Cuddihy (Hynes 38), Murdoch, Fleming, Redfern (Niang 77), Leitch (McGinlay 77), Hilton, Williamson.
Not used: Connell, D Lyon and Kinnear.
Five facts
- Dean Cleland’s goal for Stranraer against East Kilbride made him the 17th different goalscorer for the Blues this term. In comparison, just 13 players found the net for the club last season. This season is still short of 2022/23 when 19 players were on target.
- No Stranraer player has scored a hat-trick since September 16, 2017, when Scott Agnew did it against Albion Rovers in a 4-0 win. Paul Woods scored the other goal at Cliftonhill. Over the same time, Clyde have managed four, with half coming against Stranraer.
- Max Currie’s clean sheet at East Kilbride was his first in a Stranraer jersey in almost exactly six years. His last came in a 0-0 draw at Airdrie on January 25, 2020. The visiting team that day was: Currie, Robertson, Allan, Cummins, Pignatiello, Hamill, McManus, Thomson (Victoria 75), Stevenson (Jones 89), Johnstone (Hilton 66), Elliott. Not used: McIntyre, Phillips, Stirling and Burgess.
- Saturday’s victory over East Kilbride took Chris Aitken’s total number of wins as manager to 26 in 67 games, including his cup tie as caretaker boss against Aberdeen. One more victory will see him surpass Jamie Hamill’s number of wins.
- James Dolan’s 10th goal in a Stranraer shirt pulls him level with a number of players, including Ruari Paton, Mark Stewart, Innes Cameron, Murray Henderson and Peter Dolan.
Admission
Admission at Stair Park is ‘pay at the gate’ only. Season tickets are valid for Tuesday evening’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.
Or, pick up a bargain with reduced prices on our brand new 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 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.
Podcast
Check out the latest edition of Look Blues Talking for all the talking points from Tuesday night’s Scottish Cup clash with Queen’s Park, plus a look ahead to the league meetings with East Kilbride and Clyde.
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 Wednesday morning, along with full match footage.
Extended highlights will be available via YouTube by Wednesday evening, with Brian Martin and Euan Home on commentary.
Photos: Bill McCandlish, Colin Poultney (Collarge Images)
