Forfar manager Gary Bollan is set to give teenage striker Matthew Aitken the chance to lead the Loons’ attack this season by starting against Brechin City at Glebe Park tonight.
The Station Park men take to the field for the first time in competitive action since winning promotion at Peterhead back in May and 19-year-old Aitken could be involved from the kick-off after impressing Bollan throughout pre-season.
Bollan said: “Matthew has done really well and scored a hat-trick against Nairn County at the weekend. That was terrific for him and his confidence, and he is very much in my thoughts for the Brechin game.
“We played well particularly in the first half on Saturday and scored five goals. In the second half we made a lot of changes and so did they and the game petered out with a 6-1 score-line. However it was a worthwhile exercise in terms of us being ready for Brechin.”
While Forfar were finishing off their preparations for the season Brechin opened up their Betfred Cup campaign with a 3-0 defeat at Inverness.
Bollan added: “Even though we had the weekend off it is still an early start to the season and we are probably two to three players short in our squad. Brechin got 90 minutes of competitive action under their belt and time will tell if that was a benefit to them.
“What I do know is that it is a game that both sets of fans will be really keen for their team to win so that gives it an extra level of interest.”
Goalkeeper Marc McCallum has signed on for next season and he will take the place of Grant Adam, who remains out with illness, with Michael Kennedy missing due to a shin problem.
Bollan is also hoping to have added a left-back before kick-off however international clearance is required and that could delay things.
