Forfar Athletic 3 - 0 Stranraer : Forfar ease to first leg win

Posted Thursday, May 07, 2015 by PA

Forfar have one foot in the Scottish Championship play-off final after cruising to a 3-0 win against Stranraer in the first leg of their semi-final.

Chris Templeman came close to opening the scoring after 47 seconds for the home side but his header was parried to safety by goalkeeper David Mitchell.

Fellow Forfar striker Gavin Swankie blazed over the crossbar and then saw a decent effort saved by Mitchell as they continued to dominate the opening exchanges.

Stranraer responded in the 27th minute as Stephen Stirling fired narrowly wide of the left-hand upright.

Mitchell had to be alert again to turn away Danny Denholm's shot just before the break and Swankie crashed a shot against the crossbar after 58 minutes.

The home side got the goal their dominance deserved on the hour when Omar Kader collected a pass from Templeman and rifled home from close in.

Frank McKeown's effort lacked power as Stranraer looked to hit back, but after Kerr Hay had hit a post, Forfar doubled their advantage when Swankie slotted in the goal his performance merited.

It was 3-0 and potentially tie over at the death when Hay converted Martyn Fotheringham's pass.