Forfar aim to build on momentum against the Blue Brazil

A 2-0 win over Albion Rovers at the weekend was the perfect tonic to the 3-2 loss suffered at the hands of Edinburgh City at the start of the week.

The game against the Rovers, like so many others across the country, suffered with poor conditions, but Forfar rolled their sleeves up to grind out the win.

An Andy Munro double was enough to secure all three points.

It was a win which, coupled with Annan’s loss to Stenhousemuir, helped Forfar create a four point gap in second to the third placed Galabank side.

With Annan playing Rangers in the Scottish Cup this weekend, there’s a chance to further increase that advantage this weekend when Forfar travel to meet relegation haunted Cowdenbeath.

A few days later, on Tuesday, Irvine takes his side to face Stirling Albion.

Irvine played down Annan’s loss on Saturday, saying Forfar must continue to focus only on themselves.

He told the club’s social media channel: “It’s always a bonus when you come off after a win to see other teams slip up but we can only focus on ourselves and it was very important to pick up the three points.

"We had to bounce back after Monday night because we let our standards slip in the first half and couldn’t rescue the points.

"Going into next week, we just need to keep it going and try and build up a bit of momentum again.

"We’ve got a few new faces so they will have time to bed in and we will go in to the game against Cowdenbeath with confidence, aiming to win again.”

Along with the signing of former Rangers midfielder Kyle Hutton, Irvine made further improvements to his squad ahead of the weekend’s game.

Defender Sam Fisher has returned to Station Park on a temporary transfer until the end of the season.

The Loons also confirmed the arrival on loan until May of 18-year-old midfielder Steven Warnock from Kilmarnock.

Steven joins his team mate at Rugby Park, Tomas Brindley, at Station Park for the remainder of the campaign.