A titanic tussle for the title, a flurry of sides fighting for a promotion play-off spot as well as avoiding the dreaded drop into the pyramid place.
Every single match matters in this hotly-contested League 2 term and with just six points separating third place Elgin City to ninth-place Albion Rovers, it’s easy to see why.
So don’t sleep on one of the country’s most entertaining divisions and discover everything you need to know about what’s set up to be a thrilling run-in.
FIGHT FOR THE TITLE
Dumbarton and Stirling Albion are involved in an enthralling race for first place and all the ingredients are here for a classic search for silverware. The Sons are four points clear but the Binos have a game in hand and have yet to play a game in 2023 due to the weather.
It’s already a special season for the Sons of the Rock, who are marking their 150th anniversary and those celebrations could be made even more memorable should Stevie Farrell’s side claim the title.
Unbeaten at home in the league, Dumbarton’s defence have only conceded four goals in eight matches with shot stopper Brett Long setting a club record by reaching 10 clean sheets quicker than any previous Sons keeper. A settled back four of Gregor Buchanan, Stuart Carswell, Martin McNiff and Aron Lynas have formed a formidable unit.
Having witnessed two relegations, a play-off survival and last-minute cup defeat since 2018, Sons fan Fraser Clarke hopes his team’s luck is changing.
He said: “At the start of the season, few fans dared to dream of a title win - finishing in the play-offs would’ve been the goal.
“After spending much of the last few months at the top of the table fans are coming back in decent numbers, and the whole feel around the club has improved after two nightmare seasons battling the drop from League 1.
“All of the pain, the heartbreak and the wondering why we do it would be made worthwhile to see Ryan McGeever lifting silverware in May.”
Farrell’s men have been productive on their travels too with 20 points secured from 11 games, with a 6-0 loss to title rivals Stirling the main blot on their copybook.
The Binos are the division’s highest scorers, hitting 39 in 18 matches with Dale Carrick enjoying one of the most fruitful campaigns of his career. The former Hearts, Kilmarnock and Livingston man has 17 goals to his name this term, with 11 of those coming in the league.
Stirling boss Darren Young has assembled a blend of youth and experience at Forthbank with Dundee United teenager Kai Fotheringham adding an extra layer of creativity to their play. A true team effort has put Stirling in the promotion mix as View From the West Stand explains.
“Dale Carrick and Kai Fotheringham have been key while striker Robert Thomson has had a good season since joining from Stenhousemuir and at the back Paul McLean’s experience is important,” they said.
“This month, we have brought in defender Flynn Duffy on loan from Dundee United and Greig Spence is an intriguing addition – he obviously has a goalscoring pedigree but was most recently playing in the East of Scotland League with Inverkeithing Hillfield Swifts.”
The recent meeting of the teams at Dumbarton was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, with a new date TBC. That game, and the March 25 clash at Forthbank, will obviously have a huge bearing on the destiny of the title as the Sons bid to make an immediate return to League 1 and the Binos aim to get there for the first time since being relegated in 2014/15.
Fraser is expecting more twists and turns before the season’s end, adding: “Sons and Stirling Albion have been the only two consistent sides in the division so far, but I expect that to change in the second half of the season. I wouldn’t rule out a third club catching up if the top two see their form hit a rocky spell.”
And as we head towards February, is there real optimism in the air around Forthbank?
View From the West Stand adds: “Since memorably winning promotion via the play-offs at East Fife in May 2014 there has not been too much to cheer at Forthbank to be honest.
“Stirling were relegated from League 1 in 2014/15 after a miserable campaign and have since finished 7th, 6th, 3rd, 5th, 6th, 5th and 7th in League 2. To have only reached the play-offs once in that period – a comprehensive defeat to Peterhead at the semi-final stage – hasn’t been good enough.
“Winning our first silverware since pipping Alloa to the Division Two title on the final day of 2009/10 would be special and it will be hard earned if it happens. Last season the team were second to Kelty at the end of October but fell away badly. A play-off place will surely be the worst outcome this time round but automatic promotion is what everyone craves.”
PLAY-OFF CONTENDERS
With 16 games to go, only the incredibly bold would predict who will make up the promotion play-off picture. Thankfully we’ve got fans of some of the teams involved to put their necks on the line.
Fuelled by Kane Hester’s 15 league goals, could this be the year that Elgin City elevate themselves out of League 2?
While Hester can regularly be replied upon for goals, midfielder Russell Dingwall is enjoying a spectacular campaign in front of goal. The former Ross County youth player had 9 career goals to his name before 2022/23 began but he’s found the net 13 times already this campaign, including a memorable hat-trick against Bonnyrigg Rose in November.
Both East Fife and Forfar have gone through managerial upheaval this term but both remain right in the play-off mix after the halfway mark.
Ray McKinnon’s arrival has kickstarted Forfar’s season with four wins from his seven league matches in charge, including a 2-1 triumph over leaders Dumbarton earlier this month. There’s little room for error with the chasing pack remaining within one win of the play-off places.
Fan of the Loons, Joshua Grimes, has been thrilled with the new manager’s instant impact at Station Park.
“We have become harder to beat and our forwards have started finding the net again” Josh said.
“Before Ray came in, Ben Armour had two goals to his name but in the space of a month, he has increased that total to six.
“The return of Craig Thomson from injury alongside Armour, Stef McCluskey or Matty Aitken helps our attacking options.
“In defence Ray recruited Adam Hutchinson who so far seems to be gelling well with Andy Munro.
“Seb Ross has looked good for us so far and his versatility is useful, however, Finn Robson – on loan from Dundee United - had a tremendous debut and if he continues to play like he did against Dumbarton then he could really propel us up the league.”
Stranraer may occupy sixth spot at the time of writing and while it’s not been an easy season for the Blues, their form at Stair Park provides cause for optimism.
Jamie Hamill’s men have taken 21 of their 26 points at home and they’ll need to maintain that sort of form if they are to have hopes of challenging at the right end of the league.
Gary Naysmith was installed as Stenhousemuir’s new boss in an attempt to get a highly-fancied Warriors squad moving in the right direction.
A View From the Terrace host, lower league aficionado and Stenhousemuir supporter, Craig Telfer hopes that some more January business can propel his beloved side into a late play-off push.
He said: “Naysmith has collected four points from his first two league matches and the players appear to be more focused under him and are performing with a fire in their bellies. There is still scope to recruit reinforcements in the transfer window and, with the right additions, the Warriors should be in a good position to get into the top four.
“Another striker – a big bruiser who can bully centre-backs – wouldn’t go amiss and, if I’m being greedy, a right-sided winger would be gratefully welcomed too.”
December’s Player of the Month, Chris Johnston is Annan’s main provider with Tommy Goss enjoying another fruitful campaign as the Galabankies look to replicate last year’s third place finish.
They have the backing of Forfar fan Josh, who believes Peter Murphy’s men will join his own side and Stirling in the ultimate end of season test of nerves.
Craig Telfer is equally optimistic about Forfar’s play-off chances while adding: “Right now, every side could, in theory, be legitimate contenders for the top four. In the coming weeks, however, I reckon the division will begin to splinter, with the points gap between the teams looking more stretched.”
BATTLE AT THE BOTTOM
The additional jeopardy which comes with finishing bottom of League 2 has brought an extra dimension to the division.
Bonnyrigg Rose are the SPFL’s newbies having benefited from the opening up of the pyramid structure but at the time of writing, they prop up the table albeit only one win off Stranraer and Albion Rovers, who have posted back-to-back 4-0 wins, with Charlie Reilly scoring doubles in both.
Bonnyrigg fan Ryan Moffat hopes the arrival of Lowland League goal machine Zander Murray from Gala Fairydean can help lift the Rosey Posey climb out of danger.
He said: “We need goals. Zander Murray has an impressive record in front of goal so fingers crossed he’ll fire us up the table. Teams around us have that one guy who’ll score most weeks. We had a recent run of four consecutive draws and with a bit more fortune we could have been talking about consecutive wins.”
With so much drama, there’s plenty to look forward to as we move towards the business end of the campaign.
Ryan added: “The league is unbelievably tight. I genuinely believe that anyone from 4th down could be involved in a relegation scrap.
“Everyone is taking points off each other and there’s not much separating the teams. There doesn’t look like there will be one team cut adrift this season so everyone will be wary and will be doing their best to climb the table.”
You can watch every step of the thrilling conclusion to the 2022/23 League 2 campaign in our Lower League Round Up
