A confidence-boosting win is what Jacob Pazikas is looking for this afternoon at Stair Park.
The Blues come into the game with Scott Robertson and Paul Woods still in interim charge.
Three points would go a long way to putting a smile on the face of many at Stranraer when they welcome promotion-chasing East Fife.
Pazikas knows that will not be easy but stressed it was still early in the season and there was much to play for.
He said: “This league can change so fast.
“Three points, although one game does not sound massive, for us, three points is absolutely huge.
“We are still early in the season and I think the performances we have put in in the league so far, we have been disappointed not to have at least four points.
“There were a couple of games at the start of the season where we were unlucky.
“The Spartans game was 2-2 and we got beat 1-0 by Clyde after what was a pretty even game.
“Three points are absolutely vital and huge.
“If we get that, we can kick-start a bit of momentum.”
The on-loan shotstopper felt it was important that everyone associated with the club stuck together to try to pull away from the bottom of League Two.
Three points could have Stranraer as high as sixth in the table, depending on results elsewhere.
The 19-year-old said: “We have got to stay together as a unit.
“We have got to keep each other’s heads held high because if one head goes down then it will lead onto the rest of the team and that leads to poor performances.”
Pazikas spent the majority of last season with Civil Service Strollers in the Scottish Lowland Football League.
It is the same path previously taken by Lewis Budinauckas, who spent time in the capital before joining the Blues.
Pazikas felt there was a definite step up between the two leagues and said: “It has been a lot more difficult in League Two compared to the Lowland League, where I was previously.
“We have had a rough start to the season and it has been difficult, mentally and physically.
“The games are more demanding of the team and more demanding of myself.
“I’m a lot busier in games but as much as it has been difficult it has been very worthwhile for my development.
“I’m getting minutes and playing at a higher level.”
Last meeting
Stranraer got off to an ideal start in the last meeting with East Fife.
Only 11 minutes were played when Matty Grant’s free-kick deceived the home defence and went in without anyone getting a touch.
East Fife had a couple of chances before the break but it was not until the second half that they the game turned around.
James Lyon played the ball in and when the initial shot was blocked it came back to Lyon, who poked home from close range.
The winner would come from Jack Healy, who capitalised on a poor clearance to acrobatically fire home.
East Fife: A Fleming, Murdoch, Newton (Slattery 70), McManus (Docherty 70), Blaney, Easton, Millar, Healy, Lyon (Hamilton 84), Shepherd (Schiavone 72), Trouten.
Not used: Murray, Nicol, Ramsay and Beveridge.
Stranraer: Budinauckas, Robertson (Gilmartin 88), Ross, Ecrepont, Girvan, Gallagher, Dolan (Johnston 89), K Fleming, Grant, Armour (McIntosh 84), Orr (Lang 65).
Not used: Williamson, McQueen, Hawkshaw, Miller and Downie.
Last five meetings
- East Fife 2 Stranraer 1 (Lyon and Healy; Grant) at Bayview Stadium on March 23, 2024
- Stranraer 0 East Fife 1 (Austin) at Stair Park on January 27, 2024
- East Fife 4 Stranraer 0 (Millar, Austin, McManus and Newton) at Bayview Stadium on October 21, 2023
- Stranraer 1 East Fife 1 (Orr; Page) at Stair Park on August 12, 2023
- East Fife 8 Stranraer 0 (Own goal x2, Ferguson, Schiavone, Shepherd x2, Denham and Young) at Bayview Stadium on April 15, 2023
Last five games
Stranraer
- LOSS v Annan Athletic (H): 1-5 (Dunlop)
- LOSS v Bonnyrigg Rose (A): 2-0
- DRAW v Elgin City (H): 1-1 (Robertson)
- LOSS v Peterhead (A): 1-0
- WIN v Bonnyrigg Rose (H): 2-1 (Russell and Ross)
East Fife
- LOSS v Dunfermline Athletic (H): 0-2
- WIN v Clyde (H): 5-1 (Austin x2, Trouten x2 (Pen x1) and Lareef)
- WIN v Stirling Albion (A): 0-4 (Austin x3 and Peggie)
- WIN v Forfar Athletic (H): 2-1 (Austin and Trouten (Pen))
- WIN v St Johnstone under-20s (H): 2-1 (Austin and Shepherd)
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v Annan Athletic: Pazikas, Cummins, Ross, Ecrepont, McIntosh (McKnight 66), Gallagher, Dunlop (Adam 84), Russell (Woods 74), Hawkshaw (Lang 74), Grant, Guthrie (Edgar 74).
Not used: Broun.
East Fife
Lineup v Dunfermline Athletic: Fleming, Newton, Easton, McManus, Munro, Millar, Norey (Peggie 64), Healy (Shepherd 63), Lareef (Walker 64), Trouten, Austin (Slattery 83).
Not used: Docherty and McFarlane.
Ins and outs
Stranraer
Arrivals: Mo Adam (Gala Fairydean Rovers), Tomas Brindley (Forfar Athletic), Harry Broun (Dumbarton), Adam Cummins (Stirling Albion), Robbie Foster (Huntly), Kirk McKnight (Broomhill), Mark Russell (Portadown), Paul Woods (Unattached), Elliot Dunlop (Airdrieonians, loan), Max Guthrie (Ayr United, loan) and Jacob Pazikas (Rangers, loan).
Departures: Ben Armour (Peterhead), Andrew Downie (Creetown), Kyle Fleming (Annan Athletic), Kyle Girvan (Peterhead), George O’Connor (Hurlford United), Ben Hughes (Hurlford United), Tom Orr (Cumnock Juniors), Josh Walker (Queen of the South), Cammy Williamson (Darvel), Lewis Budinauckas (Ranges, end of loan), Aidan Gilmartin (St Mirren, end of loan), Murray Miller (Stirling Albion, end of loan), James Dolan and Chris Johnston.
East Fife
Arrivals: Ali Adams (Arbroath), Adam Lareef (Northwood), Andy Munro (Forfar Athletic), Jess Norey (Arbroath), Reis Peggie (Bonnyrigg Rose) and Liam McFarlane (Heart of Midlothian, loan).
Departures: Jacob Comerford (Linlithgow Rose), Callum Hambrook (Whitburn), Jonathan Page (Broxburn Athletic), Brogan Walls (The Spartans), Jude Black (Lochore Welfare, loan), Charlie Murray (Crossgates Primrose, loan), Gregor Nicol (Bo’ness United, loan), Brendan Ramsay (Crossgates Primrose, loan), Jacob Blaney (Hibernian, end of loan), Robbie Hamilton (Hibernian, end of loan), James Lyon (Partick Thistle, end of loan), Ali Adams, Reece Beveridge and Ryan Schiavone.
Five facts
- East Fife are currently on a five-game unbeaten streak against Stranraer. They have avoided defeat in 15 of the last 20 meetings between the two sides.
- Saturday marks the 30th birthday of former Stranraer frontman Stephen Okoh. The striker joined the Blues from Lewes and would go on to score four goals in 39 appearances. Since leaving Stair Park, Okoh has gone on to play for a number of clubs, including Margate, Bromley and Faversham Town.
- Scott Robertson’s first season at Stranraer saw the Blues pick up 10 points from a possible 12 against East Fife. There were a pair of 2-0 wins at Stair Park (Martin Grehan and Jamie Longworth scoring in the first meeting and David McKenna and Stephen Stirling in the second contest), alongside a 2-1 win in Fife (Longworth and Steven Bell scoring either side of a Liam Buchanan goal) and a 1-1 draw (Nathan Austin for the hosts and… Robertson for the visitors).
- The last time Stranraer played on September 14 was not one to remember for the Blues. Clyde were 6-1 winners at Broadwood with David Goodwillie scoring five, including a hat-trick of penalties. Darren Smith scored the other goal while Stranraer, who had Adam Cummins sent off, found the net through James Hilton.
- Dick Campbell was the manager in the opposite dugout for Stevie Aitken’s first game as Stranraer boss. Craig Malcolm gave the new Stranraer manager the perfect start against Forfar Athletic, who equalised through Danny Denholm. However, the Blues would get three points thanks to goals from Chris Aitken, Malcolm and Frank McKeown.
Merchandise
Our new 2024/25 Mizuno home jersey will be available in limited sizes from the merchandise hut outside the main McLeans Taxis Stand.
Inspired by the shores of Loch Ryan, the new tops are priced as follows:
- Adult £55
- Youth £45
Cash and card payments are accepted, and we have a range of sizes available, along with brand new away strips, training tops and more from 1.30pm.
All three tops are also available to order from our online shop, with back orders available for any out of stock sizes.
Parking
There is parking space throughout the grassy areas of Stair Park, and you should find a spot within the grounds.
Due to the number of visitors in the area for Stranraer Oyster Festival, and A77 roadworks adding short delays, please allow plenty of time for your journey and travel safely.
Admission
Admission in the Eco Gen Stadium at Stair Park is ‘pay at the gate’ only. Season tickets are valid for this weekend’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
Pavilion Bar
Drop into the Pavilion Bar outside the away turnstile from 1pm for a pre-match refreshment.
Home, away and neutral supporters are warmly welcomed, and the bar accepts both cash and card.
Or, stop into the Stranraer FC Fitba’ Bar on North Strand Street in the town centre, which is also open to all.
Stranraer Oyster Festival
Whether you’re local or travelling to Wigtownshire, make sure you get along to Stranraer Oyster Festival on the waterfront over the weekend.
The festival features celebrity chefs, music, entertainment and activities for all ages, fantastic fresh food, an artisan market and much more.
Visit the Stranraer Oyster Festival website to find out more.
Coverage
After a one-week absence, Laurence Nelson rejoins Brian Martin on the mic for this weekend’s game.
Our post match manager’s interview will be available on YouTube following the game, and extended highlights will follow on Sunday morning.
Club 1870 subscribers can catch an exclusive post-match player interview and watch the goals from 10pm on Saturday evening, along with full match footage later on Sunday.
As usual. we’ll have live matchday updates on X (formerly Twitter) for those further afield.
Photos: Bill McCandlish
