Tuesday 27th April 2021
DUMBARTON are at home to Forfar Athletic tonight in another vital clash in the battle to get away from the danger zone at the bottom of League One.
After Saturday’s 2-1 reverse at East Fife, the games are running out for Sons to look to secure their place in the division for another season.
The chance to put another three points on the board ahead of having no game on Thursday, and then Saturday’s vital trip to Clyde, is one it is important to take.
That will be a message that manager Jim Duffy will put across to his players ahead of the game, which kicks off at 7pm and where a Sons win will see the Loons automatically relegated unless Clyde lose at home to East Fife.
The gaffer said: “Saturday’s result was very disappointing having created so many chances to take at least a draw.
“But nothing is going to change for us by itself. We must keep working hard and looking for the finish when the ball is in the danger area.
“We know what is at stake for Forfar tonight. They need the points to stay in with a chance to avoid automatic relegation and that will motivate them for the game.
“It is up to us to match their desire, workrate and killer instinct in front of goal. If we can do that then we will give ourselves an opportunity.
“Our only focus is on this game; not on what is happening elsewhere. We can only control what we do and are looking to do it well tonight.”
Sam Wardrop, Nat Wedderburn, Daniel Church and Joshua Bradley-Hurst remain on the injured list and will not feature tonight.
Having returned to training, Stuart Carswell and Isaac Layne continue to improve and could be in contention for a place in the squad.
Tonight is Forfar’s first post-split fixture, having been the idle team in the bottom half on Saturday. If they are beaten at Dumbarton, and Clyde get at least a point this evening, they will be confirmed as finishing bottom and relegated.
The other match in the bottom half tonight sees Clyde at home to East Fife. If Sons can better the Bully Wee’s result, they will move out of the bottom two ahead of travelling to Broadwood on Saturday.
However, they are the idle team on Thursday night, when Clyde go to Forfar, so things could change again before the trip to Cumbernauld.
Tonight’s game is of course behind closed doors and streaming details are as per our previous story.
Once again, we repeat our safety notice – no supporters of either side should attend the C&G Systems Stadium or its grounds this evening.
The club safety officer respectfully requests that supporters (home and away) refrain from climbing up on various items such as ladders, bicycles or chairs, to view home games over the fence.
This is due to the risk of harm or injury. The fence is pointed and rusty in some areas and there is a potential risk of impalement if hit by a stray football or if they were to fall forward.
The best and safest way to watch tonight’s game is via our live streaming service. We thank you in anticipation of your co-operation in this request.
Matthew MacDermid is the referee for tonight’s game, and will be assisted by Stuart Hodge and David Dunne.
Andy Galloway