Friday 10th September 2021
IT’S been a longer wait than Dumbarton perhaps would have liked, but they finally have a chance to build on the positive result of a couple of weeks ago.
East Fife are the opposition in Sons’ first home game in three weeks, and their first match since the morale-boosting win at Montrose.
It is now a case of looking to put back to back wins on the board for the first time in the same league season since the early stages of the 2020/21 campaign.
Manager Stevie Farrell, having given his players last weekend off, has witnessed a positive return to training this week and wants to translate that into another result.
The gaffer said: “The players enjoyed their time off last weekend and it is now back to business, and they have returned to training well.
“We got a real buzz out of the win at Montrose a couple of weeks ago and that buzz has not left the players – they are raring to go.
“However, while we had no game last week, East Fife did and they won for the second week in a row, so we know they will be confident going into the game as well.
“It is therefore vital that we pick up where we left off and continue the positive assets of our performance at Links Park. That includes not giving the opposition a head start on us, which we did well to ensure did not happen against Montrose.
“If we can do that, then we’ll give ourselves every chance. The players and ourselves have been looking forward to this game having put a positive marker down.”
Despite the break, there remain injury concerns. Kristoffer Syvertsen, Calum Erskine, Evan Maley and David Hopkirk are all definitely ruled out tomorrow, while there are doubts over the fitness of Andy Geggan and Paul Paton.
However, Joe McKee (pictured) has returned to full training and is in contention to play after missing the last two games.
If you are attending the game tomorrow, you are asked to observe the stadium use guidelines as per our previous story.
Both ends of the stadium will be open, with admission by payment at the gate or with a season ticket.
Bar 72 will be open at the home end of the stadium and don’t forget that Sam Ramsbottom and Kalvin Orsi will visit from approximately 1pm to 1.30pm for autographs, photos and a chat with fans.
A reminder that all sales points, apart from the club shop, operate on a cash-only basis and supporters attending the game should ensure they are carrying cash.
If you can’t make it tomorrow, live streaming details are as per our previous story.
We’ll have in-play Twitter commentary on our feed @dumbartonfc, and a report and reaction will be online as soon as possible after the final whistle.
Steven Reid is referee for tomorrow’s game, and will be assisted by Colin Drummond and Jordan Cousland.
Andy Galloway