Friday 3rd February 2017
SONS face their next big test of the 2016/17 Championship campaign with a home game against St Mirren tomorrow.
Dumbarton go into this game 11 points ahead of the Buddies, in eighth place, while the Paisley club sit at the foot of the table.
Manager Stevie Aitken can’t wait for this game to come around.
He said: “We did well last weekend to come back from behind to win the game at Raith comfortably. Tomorrow though we face a very difficult match with St Mirren fighting for their lives.
“It should be a good occasion and we know how big a win could be. The players are enjoying their football at the moment and this is important to me and it’s sure to be a decent game.”
St Mirren boss Jack Ross (pictured in his Sons days) knows the CID Stadium and its environs well, due to his spell as assistant to two managers – Alan Adamson and then Ian Murray, with the latter partnership being the most memorable for Dumbarton fans.
This is a crucial match for both clubs in many respects, and it’s been a busy transfer January window for St Mirren. Ten players have arrived. They are Craig Storie (Aberdeen, loan), Rory Loy (Dundee, loan), Pal Fjelde (Bryne FK), Josh Todd (Dumbarton), Billy O’Brien (Manchester City, loan), Stelios Demetriou (Doxa Katokopias), Cammy Smith (Aberdeen, loan), Stephen McGinn (Wycombe Wanderers), Adam Eckersley (Edmonton) and Harry Davis (Crewe Alexandra, loan).
In team news, on-loan Rangers defender Ross McCrorie, who made his Sons debut last week as a second half sub against Raith Rovers is doubtful. He sustained an injury midweek whilst playing for his parent club’s development side, but a late decision will be made tomorrow.
Garry Fleming (pictured above) trained last night and could be available and Jamie Ewings is also back in training.
In better news, midfielder Grant Gallagher came through a midweek operation on his troublesome ankle injury and looks like is on the road to recovery. Lewis Vaughan, who had to miss last week’s Starks Park victory, is available.
Referee John Beaton will be in charge of a Sons game for the second time this season tomorrow, having already officiated at our 2-1 defeat to Morton on 7th Jan. He will be assisted by Graeme Stewart and Thomas Shaw.
Alan Findlay & Simon Barrow