Preview Annan Athletic
Wednesday, 27th Jul 2011Annan Athletic entered the Scottish League just three seasons ago. Dunfermline Athletic will be the first SPL club to play them.
When they travel south to play in the First Round of the Scottish Communities Cup on Saturday, Dunfermline Athletic will be the first SPL club to play Annan Athletic. Since that historic day in July 2008 when they defeated Cove Rangers 17-12 to be elected as associate members of the SFL and join the Third Division, Annan have faced higher league clubs in cup competitions. Partick Thistle went to Galabank at this point last season and won 1-0. In 2009 Annan travelled to play First Division Inverness Caley Thistle and Dundee losing both games by four and three goal margins.
Annan Athletic Football Club was formed in 1942. In 1953 the club moved to its present location at Galabank Annan. They had a spell in the Carlisle and District League that lasted until the end of season 1976-77.
The committee then decided that the clubs best interests were to be achieved in Scotland rather than England and in season 1977-78 Annan Athletic were successful in gaining membership to the Southern Counties Football Association and South of Scotland League.
Two unsuccessful attempts were made to join the East of Scotland League before Annan were eventually admitted into the league in season 1987-88. Annan however mindful of their commitments to the South of Scotland League, still maintain a reserve team in the South of Scotland League.
Annan`s first season in the East of Scotland League coincided with a restructuring of the league into a premier and first division. Annan won the first division title in their first year to gain promotion to the premier league. Season 1999-2000 saw Annan lift the East Premier League title for the second time.
Season 2006-7. Harry Cairney took over the reigns for the second time.
It was a proud skipper Chris Jardine who led out Annan at Clyde`s Broadwood on 26 July 2008 as the team took the field to play in the First Round of the Alba Challenge Cup. Annan lined up Craig Summersgill, Gary Brown, Alan Inglis, Kevin Neilson, Derek Townsley, Chris Jardine (c), Ian Grainger, Mike Jack, Stephen Archibald, Stuart Hill, Lee Hoolickin. Ryan Adamson, Peter Watson and Steven Sloan were used as second half subs, unused subs were Dougie Calder (GK) and Darren Johnstone.
Annan`s first league game was one week later at Cowdenbeath`s Central Park and at the end of season 2008-09 they finished 7th but only six points behind Stenhousemuir in a play off place. The next season they were eighth but last season they finished fourth but lost out to Albion Rovers in the play off final.
| Recent Results - home / away | ||||||
| Annan Athletic (home) |
|
Dunfermline (away) | ||||
| Albion Rovers | W | 2-1 | Morton | W | 2-0 | |
| Alloa Athletic | W | 2-1 | Cowdenbeath | W | 1-0 | |
| Arbroath | W | 3-0 | Ross County | W | 1-0 | |
| Berwick Rangers | L | 2-3 | Dundee | D | 1-1 | |
| Clyde | W | 1-0 | Stirling Albion | D | 1-1 | |
| Clyde |
L |
0-2 | Falkirk | W | 2-1 | |
Last Time Out
DUNFERMLINE (v St Mirren): Paul Gallacher, Jason Thomson, John Potter, Alex Keddie, Austin McCann (c); David Graham (Paul Burns 65), Gary Mason, Martin Hardie, Joe Cardle; Steven McDougall (Andy Barrowman 56), Andy Kirk (Ryan Thomson 73).
SUBS NOT USED: Chris Smith (GK), Andy Dowie, Paul Willis, Kerr Young.
ANNAN ATHLETIC (v Albion Rovers): Craig Summersgill; Andy Aitken, Scott Gibson, Jack Steele (Jordan McKechnie 61), Aaron Muirhead, Michael McGowan, Steven Sloan, Peter Watson, Sean O`Connor, David Cox, Graeme Bell (Ian Harty 61).
SUBS NOT USED: Ross Hyslop, J Atkinson, Ryan Holms
Bryan Gilfillan will be available in between suspensions.
Referee will be Charlie Richmond
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