Stranraer Preview

A 'Well fan with a hand on the cup

This is Stranraer’s first ever Scottish Cup quarter final and they will be anxious to do well. Stair Park only holds 5600 and a large crowd is guaranteed with around 3000 ‘Well fans likely to be in attendance. The main threat the home side have is striker Ian Harty – he scored in the mid-week victory at Hamilton and will be looking to impress against a higher quality of opponent than usual.

We have an interesting selection problem with Stephen Pearson being eligible to play and Scott Leitch returning from injury. Dougie Ramsay limped off at Ibrox mid-week and may be replaced by David Cowan. Alternatively, Lasley might play at right wing back and create a space for Pearson. Leitch could play in midfield, allowing Corrigan to move into a back three. This would probably mean dropping Clarkson and playing Faddy and Lehmann up front.

It’s hard to look at our recent record at Stair Park for reassurance since we haven’t been there in over thirty years. Many ‘Well fans are eagerly awaiting the trip as it is another obscure ground that can be ticked off as ‘visited’. The last time we were down by the sea in Stranraer in the Cup, we beat them 3-1. That year(1962) we made it to the semi finals where we lost 3-1 to Rangers.

Despite our financial situation improving, there is no doubt that a semi final place would be massive boost. It also gives the fans a grand day out and who knows, maybe this could yet be ‘the’ year. Of course, if the players are thinking ahead to the semi final, we probably won’t be in it. Rangers and Celtic have struggled at Fir Park this season because of a poor pitch and a determined home side giving 110%. We have no divine right to beat Stranraer and we will have to match them for effort before our superior skill will show.

It’ll be tough, but we’ll be in the draw come Monday – Stranraer 0-2 ‘Well


Here's a quarter final to remember...remember Morton?