Home advantage could prove crucial as Stranraer attempt to pick up their first three points of the season, according to striker Ryan Edgar.
The Blues have been unlucky to only pick up one point from a possible nine in the opening weeks of the campaign.
Now, back at home, Edgar is hopeful Stranraer will be celebrating that winning feeling once again when Elgin City visit.
He said: “Elgin have had a very good start to the season.
“It will be a tough game but, hopefully, with the crowd behind us, as we have said to each other, there is no reason why we cannot compete against every team in the league.
“We have definitely got the quality there and if we play to the best of our abilities then we can definitely win.”
Stranraer began the season with a draw at home to a Spartans side that many feel will be challenging for the League Two title come the end of the season.
Then, they were edged out 1-0 at Clyde, who, again, many think will be contenders for the top spot.
A second 1-0 defeat at Peterhead followed before both manager Scott Agnew and his players admitted they were not at their best at Balmoor last weekend.
Edgar came on at half time for Kirk McKnight in that game and was hopeful to be involved again in the Eco Gen Stadium at Stair Park.
He said: “If we are going off our performances and not the results, it has been an alright start to the season.
“Peterhead was not the greatest – it has been our worst performance so far this season.
“Others performances, I think we have been unlucky not to grab a point or all three.”
Twelve months ago, Edgar was part of Stranraer’s reserve squad.
However, after impressing Agnew towards the end of last season, he is now a key component of the first team.
He said: “I don’t think I am doing too bad.
“Obviously, I want to start hitting the net a bit more.
“I was unlucky against Bonnyrigg and had a couple of chances towards the end of the match that I definitely have got to be finishing.
“I think I am improving with some of the decisions that I make and, again, it is a big step up from what I have been used to playing but I am enjoying it.”
Previous meeting
A goalless first half came to life just before the half time whistle when Dylan Forrest was sent off.
The midfielder was booked for a challenge and then, after punching the ball down into the turf, was shown a quickfire second yellow.
Elgin used the man advantage in their favour when they scrambled one home after Stranraer failed to clear a corner. Connall Ewan was credited with the goal as he poked home from inside the six-yard box.
The second goal came when the Stranraer defence failed to control the ball and Freddy Jeffreys slotted home across Lewis Budinauckas.
Stranraer pulled one back when Mark Gallagher could only divert beyond his own goalkeeper but they failed to find a leveller.
Stranraer: Budinauckas, Robertson, Ross, McQueen, Ecrepont (Orr 70), Girvan, Dolan (Gilmartin 70), Forrest, Fleming (G Gallagher 63), Johnston (Grant 54), Armour (Lang 54).
Not used: Williamson, McIntosh, Miller and Downie.
Elgin City: McHale, Dolzanski, Draper, Ewan, Booth, M Gallagher, Cameron, Jeffreys (Cairns 85), Dingwall, Golding (Jones 69), Dangana (Bray 46).
Not used: Cooper, Jamieson, MacLeman and Kelly.
Last five meetings
- Stranraer 1 Elgin City 2 (Own goal; Ewan and Jeffreys) in the Eco Gen Stadium at Stair Park on March 16, 2024
- Elgin City 2 Stranraer 1 (Dingwall (Pen) and Harvey (Pen); Lang) at Borough Briggs on January 6, 2024
- Stranraer 3 Elgin City 1 (Forrest (Pen), Grant and Dolan; Jones) in the Eco Gen Stadium at Stair Park on November 4, 2024
- Elgin City 0 Stranraer 1 (Dolan) at Borough Briggs on August 5, 2023
- Stranraer 3 Elgin City 1 (Forrest, Grant and Walker; Reid) in the Eco Gen Stadium at Stair Park on April 22, 2023
Last five games
Stranraer
- LOSS v Peterhead (A): 0-1
- WIN v Bonnyrigg Rose (H): 2-1 (Russell and Ross)
- LOSS v Clyde (A): 0-1
- DRAW v Spartans (H): 2-2 (Lang and Dunlop)
- DRAW v Stirling Albion (A): 2-2 (Edgar and Lang) (Stirling Albion won 4-2 on penalties)
Elgin City
- WIN v Banks O’Dee (H): 2-1 (Dingwall (Pen) and Gavin)
- WIN v Stirling Albion (A): 0-1 (Gallagher)
- WIN v East Fife (H): 4-2 (Girvan, Murray, Dingwall and Sargent)
- LOSS v Queen’s Park (A): 4-0
- LOSS v Peterhead (A): 4-2 (Murray and Golding (Pen))
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v Peterhead: Pazikas, Cummins, Ross, Ecrepont, Brindley (Robertson 80), Dunlop, Russell (Woods 79), McKnight (Edgar 46), Grant, Hawkshaw, Lang (Gallagher 68).
Not used: Hughes, Adam and Broun.
Elgin City
Lineup v Banks O’Dee: McHale, Dolzanski, Murray, Draper, Booth, Cameron (Hyde 46), Girvan (Cairns 60), Gallagher, Dingwall (MacLeman 85), Golding (McDonald 85), Sargent (Gavin 46).
Not used: Fraser, Dangana, Allen and Taylor.
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) and Jacob Pazikas (Rangers, loan)
Departures: Ben Armour (Peterhead), Andy Downie (Creetown), Kyle Fleming (Annan Athletic), Kyle Girvan (Elgin City), George O’Connor (Hurlford United), Tom Orr (Cumnock Juniors), Josh Walker (Queen of the South), Cammy Williamson (Darvel), Lewis Budinauckas (Rangers, end of loan), Aidan Gilmartin (St Mirren, end of loan), Murray Miller (Stirling Albion, end of loan), James Dolan Chris Johnston.
Elgin City
Arrivals: Mark Gallagher (Cove Rangers), Dylan Gavin (Athlone Town), Kyle Girvan (Stranraer), Dajon Golding (Cove Rangers), Lewis Hyde (Inverness Caledonian Thistle), Olly McDonald (Edinburgh City), Jack Murray (Buckie Thistle) and Ryan Sargent (Fraserburgh).
Departures: Ben Barron (Nairn County), Aidan Cruickshank (Forres Mechanics), Matt Jamieson (Forres Mechanics), Kyle King (Caledonian Braves), Dylan Lawrence (Strathspey Thistle), Owen Loveland (Lossiemouth), Brodie Mitchell (Rothes), Mitch Taylor (Forfar Athletic), Keith Bray (Inverness Caledonian Thistle, end of loan), Connall Ewan (Ross County, end of loan), Freddy Jeffreys (Bradford City, end of loan), Lewis Duncan and Robert Jones.
Five facts
1. Stranraer have scored in their last 26 meetings with Elgin City. That stretches all the way back to the beginning of October 2009 when Elgin won 2-0 at Stair Park courtesy of goals from Michael Dunn and a Jason Crooks penalty. The home team that day was: David Mitchell, Glen Mitchell, Noble, Henderson, Nicoll, Danny Mitchell, Aitken (Jones 80), McGeouch (Jack 59), McColm, Moore, Montgomerie. Not used: Wilson, Donald and Wight.
2. Midfielder Ben Hughes will be toasting his 20th birthday on Saturday. Hughes joined the club from East Kilbride and spent time on loan at Hurlford. He shares his birthday with Ryan Stevenson and Shaun Dillon (40), Ricky Gillies (48), Tommy Sloan (60).
3. Goals from Dylan Forrest, Matty Grant and Josh Walker gave Stranraer victory in Scott Agnew’s first game in charge. That was against Saturday’s visitors on April 22, 2023.
4. Stranraer’s Robbie Foster played under Elgin City manager Allan Hale when both were at Huntly. Meanwhile, Kyle Girvan and Olly McDonald played under Scott Agnew at Stranraer.
5. In 37 meetings between Stranraer and Elgin City in all competitions, there have only been two goalless draws. One at Borough Briggs in April 2004 and one at Stair Park in February 2008.
Merchandise
Our stunning new 2024/25 Mizuno home jersey will be available for the very first time 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 away strips, training tops and more from 1.30pm.
Parking
There is parking space throughout the grassy areas of Stair Park, and you should find a spot within the grounds. 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.
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.
Coverage
Scottish football’s favourite commentary duo Laurence Nelson and Brian Martin return to their broadcast position for this weekend’s meeting with Elgin.
The manager’s interview will be available on YouTube following the game, and our popular extended highlights package will follow on Sunday morning.
Club 1870 subscribers can catch the goals from 10pm on Saturday evening, along with full match footage later on Sunday.
We’ll also have extended live matchday updates on X (formerly Twitter) for those further afield.
Photos: Bill McCandlsh
