Head to head

Montrose 1-1 Forfar 19/11/2016 substitute again.

Meanwhile, Montrose boss Petrie insists he is relishing his return to Station Park for the first time since he left the club at the end of 2015.

The 46-year-old had been on Dick Campbell’s coaching staff before the veteran manager was sacked after seven years in charge.

Petrie was appointed caretaker boss and made no secret that he wanted the job on a permanent basis.

However, after just one game at the helm, the Loons’ board opted instead for Bollan with Petrie leaving the club.

He insists though that there are no hard feelings and he is only concentrating on helping his Montrose side win three points and the bragging rights over their Angus neighbours.

He said: “We were delighted to pick up a point last week against Edinburgh City but we now face an incredibly tough game at the home of the league leaders Forfar.

“It will be my first time back there and I am really looking forward to the game and catching up with some familiar faces afterwards such as the chairman Alastair Donald and David McGregor.

“I have some great memories of my time there and I cannot speak highly enough of the club.

“However, it is all about Montrose for me now. We have done reasonably well in the derbies so far this season and have already won at Station Park when Paul Hegarty was in charge so hopefully we can dig out another result this time round.” last weekend is included Cowdenbeath have sacked their defender Dean Brett “with a heavy heart” after a disciplinary hearing.

The player is alleged to have placed 2,787 bets, some on his own team to lose.

He has also subsequently been banned by the SFA for offensive remarks on social media.

It is the gambling issue which has prompted his dismissal by the League Two club.

In their statement, Cowdenbeath said: “Various options were considered but ultimately, and with a very heavy heart indeed, the board concluded that this was an act of gross misconduct which could warrant no other sanction but dismissal.

“The board’s duty was clear. A player betting on his own team to lose, often in matches in which he was playing, is not a situation Cowdenbeath FC could accept or excuse. Simply put, no Cowdenbeath FC player committing such an act could remain in the employ of the club.

“The board of Cowdenbeath FC therefore has today conveyed to Dean its decision is that he is dismissed and his employment has been terminated without notice. We believe this decision to be one that any reasonable employer would make and that it is both fair and reasonable in the circumstances.”

Cowdenbeath have offered to pay the player for the remainder of his contract, which is due to expire in May. Any payment will be contingent on him seeking help for gambling addiction, refraining from betting and deleting his social media accounts.

The Blue Brazil face Arbroath today and manager Liam Fox will be relieved to get back to football.

He said: “The players have had a difficult time as well as they just want to get on with their jobs without any distractions. It will be good to get back to playing football. We cannot feel sorry for ourselves as we simply have to go out and start winning games to address where we are in the league.

“This is a massive game for us at the start of what is a massive period for the club. Arbroath are challenging for the title but I believe it is a game that we can win.”

ARBROATH V COWDENBEATH