Competitive football returns for Dumbarton tomorrow when they travel to Airdrieonians in the Viaplay Cup.
Sons will contend against last seasons Championship play-off winners as well as Inverness CT, Bonnyrigg Rose and Dundee in Group E of the competition.
The top-team, and four best runners-up across all eight groups, will advance to the next round where they will be joined by the four Scottish teams playing in European competitions this season.
Pre-season has been a useful workout for boss Stevie Farrell who has been working on a new system and style of play for his side.
Dumbarton’s high pressing 4-3-3 formation has presented some exciting football from Sons so far which has resulted in a victory over Caledonian Braves, defeats against Hebburn Town and St Mirren and a comfortable win over Workington last weekend.
For Airdrie, they have had pre-season wins over Motherwell and Albion Rovers to lift the NL Cup.
And, whilst three of the four teams Dumbarton will face are in leagues above his side, Faz has revealed he won’t change from the new-look approach.
He said: “From the first game against Caledonian Braves up until Saturday we have seen progression and that’ll go up again during the Viaplay Cup because we’ll be up against really good quality.
“With and without the ball I am delighted and I just want to see us tidy up in the final third better.
“If you’re creating chances, you’re going to score goals and we’re certainly creating chances and getting into good areas.
“We’re not going to change over the Viaplay Cup.
“It will be what it is but we will be playing the way we are going to go into the season.
“I would love to be successful in the Viaplay Cup but the most important thing for me in these four games is getting the team ready to play in the league season.”
Tickets are available to purchase in advance from Airdrieonians’ online ticketing portal at the following link: https://embed.futureticketing.ie/c/airdrieonians/?ftredirect=1. No live stream is available for tomorrow’s match.
Blair Malcolm and Kalvin Orsi are suspended for tomorrow’s match whilst Callum Wilson and Finlay Gray will miss out through injury and flu respectively. Declan Byrne will also under go a fitness test.
Supporters travelling by car are advised that four-way traffic lights on Carlisle Road are causing significant delays around the stadium, so please plan accordingly.
Kick-off tomorrow is at 3.00pm.