Many football fans across the country are already looking to next season.
The Stranraer faithful are no different with plenty of speculation about comings and goings over the next few weeks and months.
Manager Chris Aitken had already signed up Sean Docherty for next season while Robbie Foster will be looking for a less interrupted campaign as well.
Earlier this month, it was confirmed Mark Russell would also be playing his football at Stair Park.
He said: “I spoke with the manager and the assistant about it.
“They offered me a new contract, I weighed up my options, as you do, and spoke to a couple of people but after speaking to my family it felt right to stay on here for next season and the season after that.
“I’m looking forward to it.
“I was full-time most of my career and came back home at the age of 28.
“I just felt I was at the right age to start working, especially for my body and stuff like that with getting older, it is perfect for me.”
Stranraer come into this weekend’s contest with Edinburgh City on the back of four consecutive defeats.
The latest of those came at Forthbank Stadium, where Stranraer led Stirling Albion 1-0 thanks to a fine strike from Elliot Dunlop.
Unfortunately, after the break, Stirling took advantage of individual errors to turn the game around and secure three points.
Russell felt it was a case of history repeating itself after promising showings in recent weeks had resulted in zero points.
Speaking after the full time whistle, he said: “Especially in the first half, I thought we created a lot of chances.
“We have hit the post and their goalie made a good few saves.
“We went in 1-0 up and felt in control of the game.”
The Blues attempt to halt their winless run when they host the club from the capital, who are almost certain to finish in the promotion play-offs.
Former Greenock Morton and Falkirk man Russell, who joined Stranraer from Portadown last summer, said: “There are three games left now after today.
“We just need to go into the games, put on a good performance and try to get the three points in those games to try to end the season on a high.
“We spoke about it in the dressing room – we don’t want the season to just peter out.
“Obviously, we have four defeats on the bounce now and we need a big reaction next week.”
Last meeting
A trip to Edinburgh brought three points for Stranraer, who came close to breaking the deadlock in the first half when Finn Ecrepont’s low shot hit the post.
Fans would need to wait until early in the second half for the goal to come. Ecrepont was the creator as he played a corner into the box and Craig Ross was lurking at the back post to head home.
Edinburgh came into the game in form and pushed to get a leveller. Josh Lane denied Tiwi Daramola and Quinn Mitchell, before Dean Hawkshaw smashed a goalbound effort clear.
In the end, Stranraer held on for a vital three points.
Edinburgh City: Weir, Mitchell, J Robertson, McArthur (Lynch 62), Grigor, Jones (Gormley 62), Jarvis, Lawson, Zaid (Scally 84), Stokes (Daramola 54), See (Hamilton 62).
Not used: Pitt and Marinovic.
Stranraer: Lane, S Robertson (Lang 77), Ross, McKnight, Ecrepont, Reid, Docherty, Dunlop, Quigg (Hawkshaw 61), Grant (Guthrie 89), Edgar (Foster 61).
Not used: Kane.
Last five meetings
- Edinburgh City 0 Stranraer 1 (Ross) at Meadowbank Stadium on March 1, 2025
- Stranraer 0 Edinburgh City 0 at Stair Park on December 14, 2024
- Edinburgh City 1 Stranraer 2 (Mitchell; Russell and Guthrie) at Meadowbank Stadium on October 5, 2024
- Stranraer 2 Edinburgh City 1 (Armour and Orr (Pen); Shanley) at Stair Park on July 22, 2023
- Edinburgh City 3 Stranraer 2 (Handling x3; Walker and Watt) at Meadowbank Stadium on August 24, 2022
Last five games
Stranraer
- LOSS v Stirling Albion (A): 3-1 (Dunlop)
- LOSS v Spartans (A): 2-1 (Guthrie)
- LOSS v Clyde (H): 1-2 (Russell (Pen))
- LOSS v Forfar Athletic (H): 0-1
- WIN v East Fife (A): 0-3 (Hawkshaw (Pen) and Lang x2)
Edinburgh City
- WIN v Elgin City (H): 2-0 (Zaid and Lawson)
- WIN v Clyde (H): 2-1 (See x2)
- LOSS v Stirling Albion (A): 2-1 (Stokes)
- WIN v East Fife (H): 5-2 (Jarvis x2 (Pen x1), Lawson, Daramola and Zaid)
- LOSS v Peterhead (A): 2-0
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v Stirling Albion: Kane, S Robertson, Ross, Ecrepont, Reid, Docherty (Quigg 88), Dunlop, Russell, Hawkshaw (McKnight 21), Guthrie, Edgar (Lang 64).
Not used: Brindley, Grant and Lane.
Edinburgh City
Lineup v Elgin City: Weir, Mitchell (Grigor 88), J Robertson, McArthur, Lynch, Jarvis (Gormley 88), Lawson (Jones 85), Wells (Daramola 78), Zaid, Stokes, See.
Not used: Pitt, Scally, Hamilton and Beveridge.
Five facts
1. Goalkeepers Sam Kane and Josh Lane have both played eight games for Stranraer. Kane has kept three clean sheets (twice against East Fife and once against Peterhead) while Lane has kept five (against Forfar Athletic, Spartans, Elgin City, Stirling Albion and Edinburgh City). Kane also has one assist – teeing up Deryn Lang for his first goal against East Fife.
2. Craig Ross made his 150th start for Stranraer when he lined up last weekend at Forthbank Stadium. He has also made two appearances from the bench – coming on for the final 25 minutes in a 2-0 defeat at Dumbarton in November 2022 and also the last eight minutes in a 2-1 win over Peterhead in September 2023.
3. Stranraer have only won one of the five league encounters with Edinburgh City at Stair Park. That came in May 2021 when Andy Stirling and Tom Orr scored either side of a Scott Robertson own goal. Edinburgh City have won three and the meeting earlier this campaign finished goalless.
4. Stranraer faced Spartans earlier this month and defeated Edinburgh City at the beginning of last month. Stranraer fans need to go back four years – and one day – for the last time they faced Hibernian, when they lost 4-0. Rounding off the SPFL Edinburgh clubs, it is 18 years since they faced Hearts. Andrius Velicka scored a hat-trick at Stair Park alongside a strike from Roman Bednar. The home team was: Black, Snowdon, Wilson, Sharp, Hamilton, Ramsay, Aitken (Walker 89), McAlpine, Crilly (Wright 51), Burns (Mullen 45), Moore. Not used: Hunter and Morrison.
5. Chris Aitken’s side come into the game on an unwanted run of four consecutive league defeats. One more would see them match a run from last season when they went down 5-0 to Stenhousemuir, 2-0 to Forfar Athletic, 3-1 to Dumbarton, 4-3 to Spartans and 4-0 to East Fife. The run was halted by a 3-1 win over Elgin City, with goals from Dylan Forrest, Matty Grant and James Dolan.
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.
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 later on Sunday.
Extended highlights will be available via YouTube by Sunday morning, with Laurence Nelson and Brian Martin on commentary.
Photos: Bill McCandlish
