He might have only played 73 minutes so far in his Stranraer career but already Dominic Plank is making a difference.
The on-loan Hearts midfielder helped set up the winner against Dumbarton earlier this month and he was involved in two of the goals in last weekend’s 4-0 Scottish Cup win over Glenafton Athletic.
A cross in allowed Lewis Hunter to get his first for the club and it was Plank’s ball through for Ryan Edgar that ensured the striker was on the scoresheet for the first time this season.
Plank said: “Obviously, the win was the important thing but I am a player that likes to impact the game.
“To do that, to come off the bench and do that, is obviously very important.
“I’m just waiting on that first goal now but I am very happy with the two assists.”
The 19-year-old came through the youth system at Dorking before moving on to Wolverhampton Wanderers.
A move north of the border brought him to Tynecastle before a loan deal was struck to allow him and team-mate Matthew Gillies to make the switch to Stair Park.
So far so good for Plank, whose arrival has coincided with Stranraer’s upturn in form – finishing on the losing side in just one of his five appearances.
He said: “I am really enjoying it at Stranraer, to be fair.
“It has been quite a refreshing setup with the gaffer, assistant and everyone around the club.
“They have been first class to work with and I am just enjoying my football.
“Knowing Matty was coming was a factor as well.
“Just things like lift sharing, it is always nice having someone you know just to help ease yourself in.”
Now, attention turns to welcoming Forfar Athletic to Stair Park.
The Blues sit four points and four places behind their opposition and know that a positive result could really put them back into the mix in League Two.
Forfar were 1-0 winners at the start of the season and come into the contest after avoiding their own potential Scottish Cup upset as they knocked out East of Scotland Football League champions Musselburgh Athletic.
Plank said: “Since I joined, it has been relatively good.
“Momentum is massive in football so it just about the next game and not thinking too far ahead.”
Last meeting
Historically, Station Park has not been a happy hunting ground for Stranraer and so it proved at the beginning of the season.
Stuart Morrison’s goal was all that separated the two sides over 90 minutes.
Stranraer’s chances of getting back into the game suffered a blow after the break when Evan Dunne was shown a second yellow card.
Forfar Athletic: McCallum, Martin, Morrison, Dolzanski, Scott, Slater, Mailer, Lorimer (Richardson 73), MacLean (Cannon 82), Shepherd, Rennie (Inglis 73).
Not used: Allan, Lemon, Whatley and Stafford.
Stranraer: Lane, Ecrepont (Coll 81), Reid, Rough, Dunne, Quigg (Sharp 72), Russell, Hughes (Dolan 71), McManus, Hunter (McKnight 60), Edgar (Turay 60).
Not used: Henderson.
Last five meetings
- Forfar Athletic 1 Stranraer 0 (Morrison) at Station Park on August 2, 2025
- Stranraer 0 Forfar Athletic 1 (Ferguson) at Stair Park on March 22, 2025
- Stranraer 1 Forfar Athletic 2 (Edgar; Slater and Rodden (Pen)) at Stair Park on March 4, 2025
- Forfar Athletic 0 Stranraer 1 (Gallagher) at Station Park on January 25, 2025
- Forfar Athletic 2 Stranraer 1 (Cannon and Malcolm; Guthrie) at Station Park on September 21, 2024
Last five games
Stranraer
- WIN v Glenafton Athletic (H): 4-0 (Dolan, Own goal, Hunter and Edgar)
- WIN v Edinburgh City (A): 1-3 (Ecrepont x2 and McManus)
- DRAW v Queen of the South (H): 1-1 (Turay)
- LOSS v Annan Athletic (H): 0-1
- WIN v Dumbarton (A): 1-2 (Russell and Dolan)
Forfar Athletic
- WIN v Musselburgh Athletic (A): 1-2 (Morrison and Slater)
- DRAW v Clyde (H): 0-0
- LOSS v Inverness Caledonian Thistle (H): 1-4 (Rennie)
- LOSS v Elgin City (A): 2-1 (Sutherland)
- DRAW v Edinburgh City (A): 1-1 (Slater (Pen))
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v Glenafton Athletic: Lane, Ecrepont, Reid (Coll 79), Rough, McKnight (Russell 64), Stuart, Quigg (Plank 64), McManus (Hunter 75), Gillies, Dolan (Lang 64), Edgar.
Not used: Hughes, Sharp and Henderson.
Forfar Athletic
Lineup v Musselburgh Athletic: McCallum, Martin, Morrison, Allan, Dolzanski, Wark (Richardson 61), Slater, Mailer, Sutherland (Lorimer 61), Shepherd (Christie 72), Rennie.
Not used: Lemon, Whatley, Cannon, McLinden and Stafford.
Five facts
1. James Dolan’s goal last weekend in the Scottish Cup was the first time Stranraer had found the net in the 21st minute since another Scottish Cup tie. Kyle Girvan found the net in the defeat to Fraserburgh on October 22, 2022.
2. Stranraer defender Scot Rough will be looking to make it a birthday to remember on Saturday. The summer signing has played 19 games for the Blues and found the net on one occasion so far. He turns 24.
3. Forfar Athletic have avoided defeat in their last five trips to Stair Park. The Angus side won both encounters last term and picked up four points out of six in 2023/24. The final meeting of 2022/23 was a goalless draw and prior to that a James Hilton goal was enough to give the home team the win.
4. Lewis Currie was the unlucky man scoring an own goal for Glenafton Athletic against Stranraer in the Scottish Cup last weekend. The last time the Blues benefited from an own goal was against Elgin City in March last year. Mark Gallagher put through his own net but Elgin still won 2-1.
5. Marc McCallum has featured in goals for Forfar Athletic in 29 meetings with Stranraer. Over the same time period, 10 goalkeepers (Josh Lane, Sam Kane, Jacob Pazikas, Lewis Budinauckas, Martin McDonald, Luke Scullion, Matty Connelly, Jack Baker, Max Currie and Cameron Belford) have featured for the Blues. The first meeting was at Station Park and finished 1-1, with Danny Stoney scoring for Stranraer. The visiting team was: Belford, Robertson, Neill, Lang (Stoney 42), Bell, Hamill, Woods (Okoh 67), Wallace (Turner 29), Agnew, Anderson, Thomson. Not used: McGowan, Gray, Elliott and Currie.
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
Stranraer FC merchandise is available from the hut outside the main McLeans Taxis Stand, including pin badges and key rings, all three of this season’s brand new kits, hats, scarves, new leisurewear, and some great bargains on last season’s items.
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 our popular 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.
Podcast
Check out this week’s episode of club podcast Look Blues Talking for an in-depth preview of this weekend’s game, along with all the talking points from our victory in the Scottish Cup.
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 Brian Martin joined by Cameron Ritchie on commentary.
Photos: Bill McCandlish, Colin Poultney (Collarge Images)
