Friday 4th December 2020
IT’S been a longer wait than usual for a game – but an even longer one to visit tomorrow’s destination.
Dumbarton and Partick Thistle have not exactly been regular opponents over the last few decades, but meet tomorrow at Firhill.
And having had 11 days to recover from a hectic November schedule, Dumbarton hope to turn a corner against the Jags.
It will be another tough 90 minutes against the men in red and yellow, but after working hard in training, Sons are determined to see their fortunes change.
Manager Jim Duffy said: “We’ve looked to use the extended break profitably and get the batteries recharged ahead of what will be a tough month.
“The players have worked hard in recent matches against tough opponents and their endeavour has not had the reward it deserves.
“However, no team is going to stand aside and let us get that reward. We know we have to keep doing the hard work ourselves and look for a break to come.
“Tomorrow’s trip to Firhill will be difficult, but if the application remains spot-on and we can avoid the early goals which have cost us of late, we will give ourselves a chance.”
Despite the extended break, there remain injury problems for the gaffer ahead of tomorrow’s game.
Ryan McGeever and Matthew Reilly have been added to the injured list and goalkeeper Chris Smith remains out.
However, all other players are available – including Stefan McCluskey (thumbnail photo), who has returned to training having not played in nearly two months.
With matches remaining behind closed doors, supporters will be able to watch the game via Thistle’s streaming service. Details are as per our previous story.
If you can’t get to a screen tomorrow, we’ll have in-play Twitter commentary at our feed @dumbartonfc and our report will be online as soon as possible after the final whistle.
Tomorrow’s match is our first visit to Firhill for nearly eight years, when the sides were in what is now the Championship.
That season, Dumbarton were beaten on each of their two trips to Maryhill, but took four points out of six against Partick – who were champions that season – at home without conceding.
Considering it’s only a 28-mile round trip between the two teams’ grounds, our trips to Firhill have been very scarce in recent decades. We’ve only been there eight times since 1987 and four of those have been to face Hamilton Accies.
In more recent times, Partick are adjusting to the challenge of League One and are unbeaten in their last four games across all competitions, keeping clean sheets in their last three.
Their team which beat Montrose 1-0 at Links Park last Saturday was: Wright; Williamson, Penrice, Brownlie, Cardle, Bannigan, Graham, Murray (Gordon 70), Niang, Foster, Docherty. Subs: Lyons, Reilly, Scullion.
David Lowe is the referee for tomorrow’s game and the lines will be run by Gordon Crawford and Scott Anderson.
Andy Galloway