Forfar Athletic returned to the top of League One to set up a mouth-watering clash with Dunfermline next Saturday.
The Pars had temporarily dislodged Forfar after their Friday night win over Ayr. So the pressure was on Forfar to maintain their winning ways and they didn’t disappoint, with a comfortable and convincing victory over a sorry Stenhousemuir.
Manager Dick Campbell was a happy man, but again insisted no one at Station Park is getting carried away with their start to the campaign.
“It’s 20 points out of the first quarter and nobody has done that for a long time at our level. It gives us a wee bit to go on with now for next week’s big, big game at Dunfermline.
“But you only get three points there. In the cold light of day, at quarter to five next week, it is only three points. We are a point in front of Dunfermline, though four or five in front of the rest of them.
“I think there is more to come from us. There is something special about these boys. We have got a lot of pace up front, a lot of experience at the back and the best keeper in the league.
“My goalie has not had one save to make in the whole game. I think we played well for the majority of the game and scored great goals, worthy of winning any game, particularly the third one.
“We played positively, as did Stenhousemuir. They kept three up against us early on and at corners and I loved that. That’s why everyone was so delighted when we scored after half time because it is a major decision to play three up front at a corner against you.
“I am not at all unhappy with things. We looked a good side, as we are.”
Forfar enjoyed the perfect start as they took the lead after only three minutes.
Gavin Swankie picked the ball up on the touchline and skipped past a defender to find Dale Hilson on the penalty spot, and he showed great awareness and touch to control and stick a low shot into the far bottom corner.
Hilson and Swankie both had chances to extend Forfar’s lead but could not find the target, while Danny Denholm was denied a second Forfar goal by a brilliant one-handed save from keeper Steven Fleming.
Stephen Husband rattled the Stenny bar from 35 yards as Forfar controlled the half.
The Loons extended their lead in the 54th minute when Swankie took one touch from an Omar Kader corner and slammed a shot in at the near post to catch Fleming out.
Stenhousemuir’s cause wasn’t helped when Ciaran Summers was sent off for a second booking in the 54th minute.
Martyn Fotheringham set the seal on the win with a spectacular 25-yard free kick in the 78th minute, curled into the top corner and beating the keeper all ends up.