League 1 featured match

Stranraer striker Jamie Longworth reckons no-one should be surprised by them challenging for the League 1 title.

The table-topping Blues face second-placed Forfar on Saturday and 27-year-old Longworth said: “I have heard people talk about Stranraer delivering above expectations and I can understand why they are saying that, as we are a part-time side, but we do not really see it that way.

“Last season we were up beside Dunfermline in the chase for a play-off place and this season has carried on in the same way.

“We felt in the summer that we should be challenging again and we have shown with wins over Morton and Dunfermline, as well as our cup runs, that we were right to think we could have another good season.”

The former Queen’s Park frontman, who has now hit double figures for the fifth season running, is hoping to play in the senior ranks long enough to bag a century of goals.

Longworth said: “I am closing in on 80 goals and, after only turning senior aged 22, I would be delighted if I could play long enough to get a century of goals.

“Beating my best ever total of 22 for a season that I achieved with Stranraer last year would be good going as well. I am on 11 just now for this campaign so you never know.

“I was delighted when I made the step up from Kilbirnie Ladeside in July 2010 and, to be honest, I did not think my senior career would go as well as it has done.

“I am delighted with that consistency and there has only been one season where I have been disappointed. That was my last season at Queen’s Park where I only scored 11 goals.”

Longworth is looking to top his first season tally as a Stranraer player come May and also has a longer-term objective in mind.

He added: “Last season I scored 19 goals in 17 games but things tailed off a bit at times but this season the goals have been a bit more spread out.

“Craig Malcolm is a regular goalscorer and Daniel Stoney and Adam Forde have chipped in and our big skipper Frank McKeown has scored a fair few as a defender.

“Craig and I are both close to 80 goals in our senior careers and it would be great if both of us get over that landmark before the end of the season.

“If we keep being consistent then we will be up and around things at the end of the season. Forfar are a tough test as they have given the full-time sides Dunfermline and Morton a real run.

“The two games between us have finished at 1-1 and they have been tough games between two evenly-matched good sides. Gavin Swankie is a very good player for them, as is Chris Templeman, and they are both a goal threat that need to be contained.

“Come the end of the season I would expect both Forfar and us to be up challenging for things. If we could get a good result against them this weekend it would be really be a good start to 2015.”

Craig Stewart