Manager Chris Aitken has warned his Stranraer side they need to be ready for a Scottish Cup battle.
The Blues welcome Glenafton Athletic to Stair Park this weekend as both sides look to progress to the third round of the national competition.
Twelve months ago, Aitken’s team overcame another West of Scotland Football League club in Threave Rovers before going down to Broxburn Athletic, of the Scottish Lowland Football League.
Speaking on Thursday afternoon, the manager said: “The players will be getting told tonight to make sure they realise how big this game is for the club.
“It is huge and we need to make sure that we have prepared ourselves right and go down there with the right attitude.
“We know it is going to be a battle.
“We know that Glenafton are going to come down and they are going to fight because that is what they need to do.
“We need to stand up to that and we need to take the game.
“I’ve always said that we need to turn Stair Park into a fortress again.”
Stranraer come into the game boosted by an upturn in recent form.
One defeat in six games suggests the club is moving in the right direction as they look to move their way up the League Two table.
Now, Aitken has called on his team to focus on themselves as they look to avoid another Scottish Cup upset against a team they are playing in a competitive fixture for the first time.
He said: “This game is all about Stranraer.
“I don’t mean that to be disrespectful to Glenafton or to Paul Paton but this is all about Stranraer and what we do.
“It is our home game, our home park, it is about us turning up and making sure that we are ready to go.
“If we go and play at the standard that we have been playing at, the intensity we have been playing at, then it is a game that we should go and enjoy.
“It is at home, it is on our park and we need to keep performing for our fans.
“The fans have been magnificent since we have been back and I mean magnificent.
“They have come out and they backed us in every way.
“These are the sticky cup ties but we need to get through it because we all know the beauty that the Scottish Cup can bring.
“It can bring a glamour tie and another good day out at Stair Park.”
Jordan Stuart and Sal Turay both saw their afternoon cut short by injury at Meadowbank Stadium last weekend as Stranraer won 3-1.
The manager provided an update on the duo and when they could be back in a Stranraer shirt once again.
He said: “Jordan is fine and trained on Tuesday.
“The one on Saturday for him was just an impact.
“He was sore on Sunday but come Monday he was fine.
“Sal, on the other side, it is different – he has picked up a bad one.
“We are hoping it is not as bad as we first thought on Saturday because we had to get him in a wheelchair to get him on the bus.
“That’s how sore he was; he could not walk.
“It has eased up a lot and he was feeling a lot better on Tuesday.
“I still think, unfortunately, Sal will miss six weeks because the last few games you have seen what an addition he has been.
“You have seen what an asset he is and we will miss him.
“There is no doubt about that but we will make sure he gets the right rehab and does the right stuff so when he comes back he is raring to go.”
The manager also had positive news when it came to Ronan Hughes, Evan Dunne and Corey O’Donnell, who have all been missing in recent weeks.
He said: “Ronan is back and he did his first test on Tuesday.
“He is back now and should be back fully fit in training.
“We will look to try to arrange a couple of bounce games in the next two to three weeks to get him back up to game time.
“Evan has been running and is running fine.
“We will look to try to get him back involved on the training pitch.
“Corey will be back next week and he has been doing really well.
“We knew we caught Corey’s injury early enough so we did not allow it to drag on.
“He will be back on the training park next week as well.
“When the games are coming thick and fast, we are going to need everybody there.
“One thing that I do think that we have got is a wee bit of depth to the squad.”
Finally, he also gave an update on Sean Docherty and Robbie Foster, who look to be out for slightly longer.
Aitken said: “If I see Robbie back in a Stranraer jersey before the end of the season, I will be over the moon and absolutely delighted because he deserves it.
“If somebody deserves a break in football, it is Robbie.
“Sean has been scanned and it is not as bad as what we thought.
“We think he will be maybe eight weeks so, again, we just need to make sure he is doing the right rehab stuff.”
Last five games
Stranraer
- 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)
- WIN v Motherwell B (H): 3-0 (Lang, McManus and Turay)
Glenafton Athletic
- WIN v Banks O’Dee (A): 0-1 (McDougall)
- WIN v Newton Stewart (A): 0-1 (McDougall)
- WIN v Kilbrnie Ladeside (H): 3-2 (Mullen x2 and Kerr)
- WIN v Invergordon (H): 3-2 (Maley, Lindsay and Mullen)
- WIN v Bridge of Don Thistle (A): 1-4 (Erskine, Mullen x2 and Kerr)
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v Edinburgh City: Lane, Ecrepont, Reid, Rough, McKnight, Stuart (Gillies 36), Quigg, McManus, Dolan, Turay (Lang 82), Edgar (Plank 64).
Not used: Coll, Russell, Sharp, Hunter and Henderson.
Glenafton Athletic
Lineup v Banks O’Dee: Markey, Anderson, Willet, McCracken, Currie, Maley, Duncanson, Lindsay, Kerr, Mullen, Wilson.
Substitutes: McFadyen, McDougall, Daniel, Craig, McDermott and Hart.
Five facts
1. Finn Ecrepont’s double against Edinburgh City was the first time a defender has scored twice for Stranraer in a game since Adam Cummins got a brace against Ayr United in July 2019.
2. Manager Chris Aitken named the same starting XI against Edinburgh City as had played seven days earlier against Queen of the South. That was the first time since games against East Kilbride and Clyde that the manager had named the same starting line-up. The team then was: Lane, Ecrepont, Reid, Rough, Dunne, Quigg, Russell, McManus, O’Donnell, Dolan and Turay.
3. Saturday marks the 24th birthday of former Stranraer loan signing Jonny Ngandu. He made nine appearances for the Blues and scored one goal, which proved the only goal against Albion Rovers. The visiting team to Cliftonhill in March 2023 was: Connelly, Robertson, Girvan, Ross, Ecrepont, McIntosh, Gallagher, Ngandu (Brady 77), Grant (Malcolm 81), Walker (Forrest 81), Brown (Watt 46). Not used: Duffy and O’Connor. Joining on loan from Hamilton Academical, he has since played for a number of clubs in England, including Darlington and Alvechurch.
4. James Dolan will make his 50th start for Stranraer if he is selected against Glenafton Athletic. The midfielder has also made 12 appearances and found the net on seven occasions, including twice this season.
5. Former Stranraer striker Michael Mullen is the top scorer for Glenafton Athletic this season. The frontman has 16 goals in 14 games, taking his total to 40 goals in 50 games for the club. He made 10 appearances for Stranraer during a loan spell in 2022/23. Each appearance came off the bench but he scored one goal – the winner at Elgin City. Of course, his dad, also Michael Mullen, also played for Stranraer.
Admission
Admission in the Eco Gen Stadium at Stair Park is ‘pay at the gate’ only. Season tickets are not valid for Saturday’s cup tie.
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 official club podcast Look Blues Talking for an in-depth preview of this weekend’s game, along with all the talking points from our victory at Edinburgh City.
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 Laurence Nelson and Brian Martin on commentary.
Photos: Bill McCandlish, Colin Poultney (Collarge Images)
