Fit again Easton falls back in love with the game at Station Park

AIRDRIEONIANS 1 FORFAR ATHLETIC 2

Dylan Easton was delighted to close the league campaign with a victory after a difficult season for the Loons.

And the midfielder, who is under contract with Forfar for another year, is also relieved to be enjoying football again after a lengthy injury kept him out of the game for more than a year.

He said: “I was coming back from a serious injury when I injured my ACL and was out for 14 months.

“Coming to Forfar my aim was to play a lot of games, and with the old manager I wasn’t playing much and I was getting a bit frustrated.

“So I spoke to the chairman about going on loan but he told me to hold tight. With the new manager coming in I was delighted, so I’m enjoying my football again.”

Now the 24-year-old is looking forward to next season and is setting targets high, aiming for a battle for the promotion play-offs instead of a repeat of this year’s relegation scrap.

He added: “I’m looking forward to next season, and if we can keep playing like we have been then we can hopefully be pushing for the play-offs.”

The Loons went ahead after just 11 minutes through a Greg Hurst strike and they were given a further boost when their rivals were reduced to 10 men for Kieran MacDonald’s bad foul on Jamie Bain.

But the Diamonds shrugged-off the setback to level when Ryan Conroy slotted home from the spot after Bain fouled Jake Hastie in the area.

The Loons, though, grabbed all three points with 10 minutes remaining when Mark Millar sent a 25-yard free kick spearing into the bottom corner to end the season on a high.

Forfar boss Jim Weir said: “I’m thrilled to finish with a win and I’m thrilled with the players and their effort since I’ve come in.

“There will be some changes next season. We will be looking to actively add in the market, we’ve got off to a good start with nine or 10 of the core team signed up for next season, and the dressing room is coming alive again.”

Ross Graham has been appointed Forfar chairman after the resignation of Ken Stewart.

He had only taken on the role last year after Alastair Donald stood down. Stewart has also resigned as a Loons director.