Friday 9th October 2020
IT is symmetry, certainly.
Seven months ago, Dumbarton played away from home for the last time before lockdown against Clyde.
And it is Broadwood Stadium where they will travel tomorrow for their first game after lockdown as well – although they hope that is where the similarity ends.
On that March afternoon, they were beaten 2-0. This time they hope for better.
The match will be played behind closed doors, but can be watched online via the home side’s streaming service. Please see our previous story for full details of how to watch the match as it happens.
After a narrow defeat to Dunfermline, through only a dubious penalty, there is hope that Sons can kick on.
But they saw plenty last season of what a dangerous outfit the Bully Wee can be, and manager Jim Duffy knows the Cumbernauld side will be out make an impression in what is their first game of the season.
He said: “It was frustrating to lose on Tuesday, especially the way we did, but we saw positives in how we performed.
“What we must do now is look to continue moving forward. Clyde are a decent outfit and with this being their opening fixture, they will want to do well.
“If we apply ourselves as we did on Tuesday, and are just that bit more lucky in front of goal, we will give ourselves a chance. If not, we will be up against it.
“We’ll be down to the bare bones tomorrow but to a man, our players are committed to the cause and ready for another challenge.”
Stefan McCluskey is set for a spell out of action with a dislocated shoulder. Copyright Fullarton Photos 2020.
It is mixed news on the injury front – Stefan McCluskey will be absent tomorrow. The forward was helped off with a dislocated shoulder against Dunfermline and is set for a spell on the sidelines.
However, Ross Forbes has a decent chance of being able to return, having missed Tuesday’s game with an ankle knock.
Additions to the squad are actively being pursued, and as always, we’ll have full details as soon as they can officially be announced.
Sam Wardrop in action on our last trip to Broadwood – also our last away game anywhere – in March. Copyright True Scott Photography 2020.
Clyde’s last five games
Saturday, March 7, 2020 – Clyde 2 Dumbarton 0
Tuesday, March 3, 2020 – Clyde 2 Montrose 1
Saturday, February 29, 2020 – Clyde 3 Falkirk 2
Tuesday, February 25, 2020 – Dumbarton 1 Clyde 0
Saturday, February 22, 2020 – Raith Rovers 1 Clyde 0
The last 10 meetings of the clubs
Saturday, March 7, 2020 – Clyde 2 Dumbarton 0
Tuesday, February 25, 2020 – Dumbarton 1 Clyde 0
Saturday, November 30, 2019 – Clyde 1 Dumbarton 2
Saturday, September 28, 2019 – Dumbarton 1 Clyde 2
Saturday, July 22, 2017 – Clyde 2 Dumbarton 1
Saturday, May 1, 2010 – Clyde 4 Dumbarton 2
Tuesday, April 13, 2010 – Dumbarton 3 Clyde 3
Tuesday, March 16, 2010 – Clyde 0 Dumbarton 2
Saturday, August 22, 2009 – Dumbarton 3 Clyde 3
Saturday, April 12, 1997 – Dumbarton 2 Clyde 0
Since Dumbarton’s 2-1 win at Broadwood in November, Clyde’s only home defeat has been to Celtic in last season’s Scottish Cup.
That victory was also Sons’ first victory in Cumbernauld during the day since September 1996. A single goal by Hugh Ward ended a sequence of exactly 11 months without a win.
As amply demonstrated by the timespan above, Dumbarton and Clyde have not exactly been regular opponents over the years.
However, they only have to wait a fortnight to battle again, when the Bully Wee come to the C&G Systems Stadium for matchday two of League One.
Scott Lambie is the referee tomorrow, with assistance from Kevin McElhinney and Eddie Ferguson.
Wherever you are in the world, we’ll see you virtually tomorrow.
Andy Galloway