Saturday 17th October 2020
MANAGER Jim Duffy was content with the first point and clean sheet of the season from Dumbarton’s goalless draw at Forfar Athletic today.
They were also Sons’ first point and clean sheet away from home in 2020, with the last ones having come in a 2-0 win at Raith Rovers in December.
The gaffer reflected on the survival of some early chances for the Loons, and also on tactical changes which took place today.
He said: “The game was better in the first half than it was in the second. Forfar came out the blocks and put us under pressure and forced a couple of great saves from Kevin Dabrowski.
“Once we settled, their keeper too had a brilliant save in the first half, but in the second the two sides cancelled each other out.
“There was a lot of commitment but not too many goal opportunities. Our final ball was poor when we had three or four chances in the second half and didn’t produce.
“But in the first league game the players are a bit tense and desperate to get points on the board, and with a clean sheet it’s not the worst result.
“Kevin is not the quietest boy but that’s what keepers are like. He’s a good personality and came here to progress his career, which he’s gone about in the right way.
“We were a bit stretched in the opening 20 minutes and Forfar could have capitalised on that, but after that we saw it through and protected our goal really well.
“In the final third, we went with two out and out strikers today, which is not a common thing to do, but what I felt was the best option with the players we had available.
“PJ Crossan has a thigh strain, so we just have to wait and see with that, and Stefan McCluskey remains out with his dislocated shoulder.
“The trialist who played today did alright and we will see what happens there. We threw him in at the deep end a bit but we needed width and he helped with the balance of the team.”
Jim will have Chris Hamilton available to him against Clyde next week after the Hearts loanee sat today’s game out suspended.
However, he will have to serve the second game of his two-match ban in the next Betfred Cup tie, at home to Falkirk on Tuesday, November 10.
Andy Galloway