Stranraer are determined to hit the ground running when they bring their League Cup group phase to a close on Saturday.
The Blues have pushed Championship duo Ross County and Partick Thistle and shared the spoils with fellow League Two side Edinburgh City in the opening fixtures of the campaign.
Now, they have a first competitive derby with Queen of the South at Stair Park in more than a decade to look forward to.
Lewis Hunter is among those aiming to ensure it is the team from the west of Dumfries and Galloway celebrating on Saturday night.
He said: “Hopefully, we go out and get a positive result.
“Queens are a good side, I know the manager and some of the boys there.
“I imagine they will be up for it and definitely will look to play good football.
“Hopefully, we will be all set and ready to go with a good week in training.
“We will work on what we need to do and then go for it next week.”
Edinburgh City had plenty of the ball in the first half last week, with Innes Lawson coming close.
However, a half time change of shape saw the Blues come more into the game and finish strongly.
Hunter felt his side were unlucky not to take all three points over the course of the 90 minutes.
He said: “I think we were knocking on the door at the end and who knows if there had been extra five minutes.
“Daniel McManus had a good chance and there was a good save from the goalkeeper.
“Maybe with another five minutes, maybe we could have nicked it.”
In the end, it came down to Stranraer’s second penalty shootout of the season, with the Blues this time finishing on the losing side.
Hunter was the hero in the last game at Stair Park as he netted the decisive penalty against Ross County.
However, he was not hanging about to revel in the success.
He said: “Last weekend, I had a wedding to rush off to after the penalties.
“At Meadowbank, they were good penalties again and Josh Lane was just a wee bit unlucky.
“It was not as exciting this week but maybe next weekend and we will see how we get on.
“I kept it quiet at the wedding that I had scored the winning penalty until I was asked!
“It was nice to score the winning penalty – even though it was not the best one; it was just down the middle.”
Last meeting
An eight-goal thriller was served up the last time Stranraer and Queen of the South faced off.
Goals from Chris McGowan and Luke Donnelly had the Blues two goals up inside the opening 10 minutes at Palmerston Park.
That was how it stayed until the final few minutes of the first half as Gary Harkins, Stephen Dobbie and Lyndon Dykes turned the game on its head.
Former Stranraer man Andy Stirling made it 4-2 after the hour mark before Kyle Turner brought Stranraer back into it.
Unfortunately, the home side would put the game to bed when Dobbie scored his second of the game.
Stranraer: Currie, McGowan, McDonald, McManus, Smith, Hamill, Turner, Anderson, Lamont (Lidington 79), Layne (Elliott 72), Donnelly (Ashmore 72).
Not used: Brownlie and Avci.
Queen of the South: Leighfield, Mercer, Marshall, Fordyce, Doyle, Jacobs (Todd 46), Harkins, Bell, Stirling (Tremble 89), Dobbie, Dykes (Semple 89).
Not used: Harvey, Watson, Murray and Martin.
Last five meetings
Queen of the South 5 Stranraer 3 (Harkins, Dobbie x2, Dykes and Stirling; McGowan, Donnelly and Turner) at Palmerston Park on July 14, 2018
Queen of the South 2 Stranraer 0 (Lyle and Conroy) at Palmerston Park on July 25, 2015
Queen of the South 2 Stranraer 0 (Holt and Clark) at Palmerston Park on April 13, 2013
Stranraer 0 Queen of the South 5 (Burns, McGuffie (Pen), Lyle x2 and Clark) at Stair Park on February 16, 2013
Queen of the South 4 Stranraer 1 (Clark x3 and Smith; McKeown) at Palmerston Park on December 26, 2012
Last five games
Stranraer
- DRAW v Edinburgh City (A): 0-0 (Edinburgh City win 5-3 on penalties)
- LOSS v Partick Thistle (A): 0-2
- DRAW v Ross County (H): 1-1 (Stranraer win 6-5 on penalties) (Sharp)
- LOSS v Bonnyrigg Rose (H): 0-1
- LOSS v Elgin City (A): 3-0
Queen of the South
- LOSS v Partick Thistle (A): 2-0
- LOSS v Ross County (H): 0-1
- WIN v Edinburgh City (H): 4-0 (Guthrie, Lyon x2 and Hewitt)
- LOSS v Cove Rangers (A): 2-1 (Kennedy)
- DRAW v Cove Rangers (H): 0-0
Last time out
Stranraer
Lineup v Edinburgh City: Lane, Coll, Reid, Rough, Dunne (Docherty 72), Quigg (Sharp 79), McKnight (Hughes 64), Hunter (Edgar 63), Turay (Stuart 64), McManus, Russell.
Not used: Ecrepont and Henderson.
Queen of the South
Lineup v Partick Thistle: Stewart, Hewitt, Charters, Douglas, Hannah, Lyon, Smith, Luissint (Ross 87), Kennedy, Stott (Johnstone 70), Guthrie.
Not used: Rogerson, Hall, Chapman, McLinden, Burke and Thomson.
Ins and outs
Stranraer
Ins: Beejay Coll (St Cadoc’s), James Dolan (Unattached), Evan Dunne (Beith Juniors), Ewan Henderson (Whitletts Victoria), Ronan Hughes (St Cadoc’s), Lewis Hunter (The Spartans), Josh Lane (Hamilton Academicals, loan), Daniel McManus (St Cadoc’s), Lewis Reid (Queen’s Park, loan made permanent), Scot Rough (Beith Juniors), Tommy Sharp (Livingston), Jordan Stuart (Beith Juniors) and Sallu Turray (Partick Thistle).
Outs: Tomas Brindley (Cumnock Juniors), Adam Cummins (Irvine Meadow), Grant Gallagher (Cumnock Juniors), Matty Grant (Johnstone Burgh), Dean Hawkshaw (Hurlford United), Craig Ross (Airdrieonians), Max Guthrie (Ayr United, end of loan), Sam Kane (Queen’s Park, end of loan), Josh Lane (Hamilton Academical, end of loan) and Scott Robertson (retired).
Queen of the South
Ins: Jordan Allan (Falkirk, loan made permanent), Taylor Charters (Carlisle United, loan made permanent), Kurtis Guthrie (Jersey Bulls), Jack Hannah (Middlesbrough, loan made permanent) and Jack Stott (Middlesbrough).
Outs: Adam Brooks (Crusaders), Jack Brydon (Kelty Hearts), Daniel Church (Alloa Athletic), Harry Cochrane (Arbroath), Josh Walker (Stenhousemuir), Fraser Bryden (Ayr United, end of loan), Murray Johnson (Hibernian, end of loan), Oscar MacIntyre (Hibernian, end of loan), Lewis O’Donnell (Dundee United, end of loan) and Kyle Doherty.
Five facts
1. Stranraer have not defeated Queen of the South since January 2, 2006, when they won 1-0 at Stair Park. Lee Sharp – father of current Stranraer player, Tommy – was the goalscorer that day. The home side that day was: Corr, Keddie, Dowie, Higgins, Henderson, Sharp, Jenkins, Hamilton, Ross, Hinds (Trialist 89), Moore. Not used: Wingate, Marshall, Walker and Morrison.
2. Sunday marks the 21st birthday of Stranraer defender Lewis Reid. Originally signed on loan, he made the permanent switch from Queen’s Park during the summer. He has now made 28 appearances for the Blues.
3. The goalless draw at Meadowbank Stadium last weekend means Stranraer have now avoided defeat over 90 minutes to Edinburgh City on the last six occasions. Currently, that is Stranraer’s most games undefeated against any team in the Scottish Professional Football League.
4. Michael Moore was the last Stranraer player to score a double against Queen of the South. He netted twice in a 2-1 win at Stair Park in August 2003. Derek Lyle found the net for the visitors.
5. Stranraer last played on July 26 in 2014 and it proved a memorable encounter. Jordan Kirkpatrick and Mark Gilhaney had Dumbarton 2-0 up going into the half time interval. However, the comeback started on 64 minutes when Frank McKeown found the net. The future assistant manager of both clubs levelled things up and Sean Winter scored an impressive winner in injury time.
Admission
Admission in the Eco Gen Stadium at Stair Park is ‘pay at the gate’ only. Season tickets are not 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
APEX Scotland
Our friends at APEX Scotland are having a foodbank collection at the Eco Gen Stadium this coming Saturday.
You’ll find volunteers at three collection points around the stadium:
- Entrance to the home terrace
- The away turnstiles
- Outside the McLean’s Taxis Stand
The team are looking for tinned goods, pasta sauces, and other non-perishable items.
Our Donate a Ticket initiative with Apex Scotland received a fantastic launch in the opening Premier Sports Cup match against Ross County.
You can donate a ticket for this weekend’s fixture online, and help someone facing financial hardship, social exclusion, or other challenges
Merchandise
Stranraer FC merchandise is available from the hut outside the main McLeans Taxis Stand.
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.
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 returning from his travels to reunite with Brian Martin on commentary.
Photos: Bill McCandlish
