Station Park, Forfar Athletic
I've been to Station Park a few times. Most of you will all have tried the famous Forfar Bridie and how good they are. So yes, I had one of them too. I've been to Station Park to watch Forfar lose to East Stirling 3-2 and beat Cove 5-2. The game against Cove was a pre season friendly and was a chance for both teams to show off their new signings. In particular Cove fans were looking out for Danny Milne and Roddy Black, previously of Inverurie Locos and Arbroath respectively. Station Park has a small seated stand which would probably hold around 400, while the rest of the ground is for standing. Behind one goal is a large terrace and behind the other a small terrace. Beside the sideline a large covered terrace is the most popular place to be in the ground.
The game started off and miserable conditions. The rain was pouring down and the ball was moving heavilly, but quick enough that the game didn't have to be abandoned. Cove were the better side and scored first after a neat one two betwen Kevin Webster and Clark Bain allowed the former Forfar playmaker to blast home from the edge of the box. Forfar equalised just before half time. A free-kick was only half cleared and Calum Smith got to the ball before Windrum when it came back in and cut it back to Chris Templeman who knocked it into the empty net. However, the scoring was finished yet and Danny Milne rose high to head the ball home and give Cove a 2-1 lead going into the break.
2nd half was all joy for Forfar and missery for Cove. Bad defending from Cove allowed Chris Templeman and Calum Smith both to score to give Forfar the lead for the first time in the game. Forfar were boosted by these goals and Cove were all over the place, the impressive Calum Smith ran down the wing and crossed in for Nikki Smith to increase Forfar's lead. Things went worse for Cove as they had used all their substitutes and had to play with 10 men as Robbie Henderson had to go off with an injury. The final goal came from Calum Smith again as he turned into the box and shot past the helpless Lee Windrum. Final score 5-2 but a bit flattering for Forfar, but they deserved their win with a much improved 2nd half performance.
The game had finished and I was glad I could get home from the rain. Station Park isn't the most attractive ground but it is very large in size and supplies good food and is a really good day out. The pitch is also very big compared to Cove's small pitch back home. Out of the 2 games I've seen here I have seen 12 goals and that says a lot for non SPL teams, who all put in great effort.
