Lower league focus

cinch Championship – Arbroath v Greenock Morton (Friday 17th March)

Two teams having contrasting seasons face off this evening as the BBC Scotland cameras head to Gayfield.

Bottom club Arbroath’s recent form has been solid. Three draws on the bounce (two coming against relegation rivals) keeps the Lichties in with a fighting chance of survival. However, one of Dick Campbell’s side’s main issues this season has been the inability to turn draws into wins. Arbroath have drawn 12 times in their 27 league matches – the most in the division. Getting towards the business end of the season, the Lichties need to find that extra gear which took them to the brink of Premiership promotion just 11 months ago. 

Morton have gone from strength to strength under Dougie Imrie this term. The Cappielow boss has put together a tight-knit squad which has the ability to grind out positive results and has a real shout of a play-off finish. Defensive solidity has been what Morton’s success has been built upon, having conceded 34 league goals (second only to second place Dundee). Friday’s trip to Angus will prove a stern test though, with Morton having been unable to beat the Lichties in three attempts in 2022/23.

A match which could have huge ramifications at both ends of the cinch Championship table. Hopefully it should be a cracker!

cinch League 1 – Queen of the South v Falkirk (Saturday 18th March)

A fixture which tends to produce goals (an average of 5 per meeting this season!) as Queens welcome Hampden-bound Falkirk to Palmerston.

It’s a match which feels like ‘do or die’ for Queens’ play-off hopes. Currently in seventh place, nine points behind fourth-place Alloa Athletic with just eight games of the regular season left to play, it’s a tall ask for the Doonhamers – but not impossible. The first season after relegation was always going to be a tricky one and it has proven to be just that. Lack of consistency has been the main downfall for the Dumfries side, with QOS struggling to defeat sides around or above them. But, with the goalscoring prowess of Ruari Paton in the ranks (15 league goals) a late push can’t be completely ruled out.

After the recent defeat to bitter rivals Dunfermline Athletic, which probably all but handed the title to the Pars, many wondered how Falkirk would bounce back. However, they answered their critics in emphatic fashion in their Scottish Cup quarter-final win over Championship high fliers Ayr United on Monday evening. But, before the Bairns can look too far ahead to April’s semi-final date with old cup foes Caley Thistle there is still league business to take care of. Falkirk will be keen to quickly rediscover their previously sparkling league form as they likely aim to build momentum for a play-off promotion push.

In the three previous meetings between the sides this season, Falkirk have won all three matches and scored three over more goals in each. Will it be more of the same on Saturday, or will Queens spring a shock?

cinch League 2 – Stranraer v Stirling Albion (Saturday 18th March)

An intriguing clash awaits as Stirling Albion aim to keep up their bid for the title against a Stranraer side who beat them 3-1 in the last Stair Park encounter in early December.

The Binos are undefeated in nine league outings since then and last week’s last-gasp 2-1 win over Bonnyrigg Rose moved them to within two points of leaders Dumbarton with a game in hand. Darren Young’s men were due to face the Sons on Tuesday but the game fell victim to a waterlogged pitch and has been rearranged for April 11.

If Stirling do prevail in the south west, they will go top of the table if Dumbarton fail to pick up all three points at home to Albion Rovers. It’s a huge week for the Binos, who welcome Forfar Athletic to Forthbank on Tuesday then host Dumbarton next Saturday.

Stranraer’s game at Albion Rovers last weekend was frozen off and rearranged for this coming Tuesday. Jamie Hamill’s team lost 2-0 to Dumbarton last time out but before that they recorded back-to-back wins and shut-outs against Elgin City and East Fife.

The Blues have struggled for consistency this season but they are a capable side. Seven of their nine league wins have come at Stair Park and victory over Stirling would go a long way to ensuring their SPFL status given that they are five points clear of both Albion Rovers and Bonnyrigg Rose.