A bumper home crowd could be key in helping Stranraer over the line against East Kilbride on Saturday.
A sizeable crowd is expected to pack into Stair Park for the second leg of the play-off contest.
The tie is finely balanced at 2-2 after the first leg last Saturday and Scott Agnew was counting down to the 3pm kick-off.
He said: “The home fans can be massive.
“It is no coincidence that when the home fans turn up in their numbers and they back us, from both sides of the ground as well, it is quite rare in the lower leagues that you have got your supporters right round the ground.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how many we can get in the place tomorrow.
“At the end of the day, I’m quite convinced they will do their bit and it is up to us.
“It is up to myself, up to the players, to make sure we do enough to win the game.”
Fans of both clubs will have been nervously anticipating the second leg ever since the final whistle was blown at K Park.
Both sets of players will undoubtedly be aware of the magnitude of the tie as well.
The home manager said: “You can take my word for it, we are well aware within the dressing room what it means to us and, more importantly, what it means to the supporters and the people connected with the club.
“I have never hidden my affiliation with the football club so this is a massive game and one that means a lot to myself and a lot of people.
“It is probably the biggest game I have ever been involved in but to go and win that will be a huge achievement.
“To be honest, that is all I am focused on right now.”
Former Stranraer man Andy Stirling had opened the scoring in the first leg but the lead lasted just 13 minutes as Sean McIntosh found the net.
Craig Ross scored on the hour mark but that advantage only lasted 11 minutes before John Robertson ensured there was all to play for in Wigtownshire.
Agnew described tomorrow’s game as “a cup final” and said: “I thought we reacted well to the end of the first half.
“There were a few choice words at half time because I did not think we were at it as much as we had to be at that point.
“There were a few words at half time and I thought we responded really well.
“I think getting the goal just before half time gave us a wee lift.”
Last meeting
Former Stranraer favourite Andy Stirling broke the deadlock in the reverse fixture less than a week ago.
The midfielder started the move and he was in the right place to sweep the ball home when it was centred by John Robertson just after the half hour mark.
It looked as if that would be all that separated the sides at the half time interval until a memorable goal from Sean McIntosh. The full-back is not known for his goalscoring exploits but after collecting the ball in the middle of the park he carved his way through to score from the edge of the box.
The visitors got their noses in front in the second half. Craig Ross got on the end of a ball into the box and nodded against the bar but the Stranraer defender was quickest to react and headed home at the second attempt to put his side in front.
A quickly taken free-kick and a ball over the top then caught out Stranraer and Robertson raced through to smash home and ensure there is all to play for at Stair Park.
East Kilbride: Truesdale, Lockie, MacDonald, Spence, Ferguson, Fagan (McDonald 65), Balde, McGrory (Brown 61), Thomson, Robertson, Stirling (Daramola 65).
Not used: Samson, McGowan, Biggar, Montagu, Arnott and Avci.
Stranraer: Budinauckas, McIntosh (Edgar 76), Ecrepont (Williamson 76), Forrest, Ross, McQueen, Hawkshaw, Gallagher, Orr (Lang 46), Fleming (Grant 46), Dolan (Gilmartin 64).
Not used: Downie.
Last meetings
- East Kilbride 2 Stranraer 2 (Stirling and Robertson; McIntosh and Ross) at K Park on May 11, 2024
- Stranraer 1 East Kilbride 0 (Yates) at Stair Park on July 17, 2021
- Stranraer 2 East Kilbride 1 (Gibson (Pen) and own goal; Winter) at Stair Park on December 3, 2016
Last five games
Stranraer
- DRAW v East Kilbride (A): 2-2 (McIntosh and Ross)
- WIN v Stenhousemuir (H): 2-0 (Dolan and Edgar)
- LOSS v Forfar Athletic (A): 0-2
- DRAW v Dumbarton (H): 0-0
- DRAW v The Spartans (A): 0-0
East Kilbride
- DRAW v Stranraer (H): 2-2 (Stirling and Robertson)
- WIN v Tranent (A): 0-3 (Daramola x2 and Ferguson)
- LOSS v Civil Service Strollers (A): 2-1 (Ferguson)
- WIN v Albion Rovers (A): 0-2 (Thomson and Montagu)
- WIN v Berwick Rangers (H): 1-0 (Robertson (Pen))
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v East Kilbride: Budinauckas, McIntosh (Edgar 76), Ecrepont (Williamson 76), Forrest, Ross, McQueen, Hawkshaw, Gallagher, Orr (Lang 46), Fleming (Grant 46), Dolan (Gilmartin 64).
Not used: Downie.
East Kilbride
Lineup v Stranraer: Truesdale, Lockie, MacDonald, Spence, Ferguson, Fagan (McDonald 65), Balde, McGrory (Brown 61), Thomson, Robertson, Stirling (Daramola 65).
Not used: Samson, McGowan, Biggar, Montagu, Arnott and Avci.
Five facts
1. If selected from the start, Tom Orr will make his 50th start for Stranraer tomorrow (Saturday). The striker, now in his second spell with the club, has come off the bench on 19 occasions and has found the net 17 times. His debut was a 1-1 draw away to Annan Athletic.
2. Sean McIntosh’s goal was his first for the club since a 3-1 win over Stirling Albion in December 2022. Robert Thomson, now of East Kilbride, had opened the scoring for the Binos before Dylan Forrest, McIntosh and Grant Gallagher turned the game on its head.
3. Former Stranraer full-back Mark Docherty celebrated his 36th birthday on Wednesday. Now playing for Arthurlie, Docherty played for a number of clubs, including St Mirren, Montrose, Stirling Albion, Brechin City, Annan Athletic, Alloa Athletic, Dumbarton, East Fife, Forfar Athletic, Clyde and Edinburgh City.
4. Last week, we highlighted the familiar faces to Stranraer fans in the East Kilbride squad. There are also members of the Stair Park squad who will be recognisable to the travelling support. Both Chris McQueen and Aiden Gilmartin were part of the East Kilbride squad earlier in the season.
5. Goalscorer last weekend, Craig Ross has now reached double figures for career goals at Stranraer. In his debut season, he found the net five times before failing to find the target last term. This season, he has again scored five times. His first goal was the only goal of the game against Elgin City in November 2021. The Stranraer team that day was: Baker, Robertson, Sonkur, Ellis, Ross, McIntosh, Brady (Rennie 82), Hawkshaw (Woods 64), Muir (Irving 87), Watson (Smith 64), Yates. Not used: Langan, Moore, Ngoy, Walker and Scullion.
Aim for 1870
After a season-high attendance for our last home game, we’re aiming to bring everyone together at a packed Stair Park this weekend.
We would love to hit new heights and welcome 1870 people through the gates for one of the biggest games in the club’s history.
To help us spread the word, you can:
- share our #AimFor1870 messages online
- tell everyone you’re heading to Stair Park on Saturday
- invite your friends, family and colleagues!
A Sea of Blue
Whether you’re in the mood to dress up or dress down, you can help us to create a ‘Sea of Blue’ on Saturday.
With club photographer Bill McCandlish and the rest of our media team on hand to capture the big day, we are encouraging everyone in the home end to wear something blue.
We hope this will make for some incredible images and inspire the Blues to victory.
Merchandise
If you’re short of blue items in your wardrobe, we’ve got you covered.
Whether it’s a new Stranraer top, scarf or hat, you can pick it up from the merchandise hut behind the main stand from 1pm and show your colours.
Parking
There is ample parking 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 is ‘pay at the gate’ only, so no tickets are required. Please note that season tickets are not valid for playoffs.
The gates open from 2pm, and away fans can enter the ground from the away turnstile opposite the main stand. This turnstile is cash only.
The following reduced pricing applies:
- Adult – £12
- Concessions (Over 60s) – £8
- Under 16s – FREE
A huge thank you to our friends at Eco Gen Contractors Ltd who are kindly covering the cost of Under 16s admission on Saturday.
Please bring your voices and let’s get Stair Park rocking!
Hospitality
Make the most of your Stair Park visit with our matchday hospitality, available for home fans, away supporters and neutrals alike.
- Hospitality (meal included) – £75pp
- Hospitality (no meal) – £55pp
Stranraer FC committee member Robert Rice is on hand to help you with your booking, and can be contacted on 07519 045868.
Pavilion Bar
Drop into the Pavilion Bar outside the away turnstile, where a warm welcome and a cold refreshment awaits from our wonderful team of volunteers.
Supporters of all kinds are welcome, and the bar accepts both cash and card.
Food
If you’d like to grab a bite to eat, please head to one of the food outlets around the ground.
Payments are in cash only.
Coverage
There is no live stream available this weekend, but we aim to bring you all the action from Stair Park across our social media channels.
You can follow live matchday updates on X (formerly Twitter) for the latest news throughout the afternoon.
The manager’s interview will be available on YouTube during the evening, and Club 1870 subscribers can watch the goals before midnight.
Extended highlights will follow on Sunday morning, with full match footage available via Club 1870 on Sunday afternoon.
Photos: Bill McCandlish
