Friday 30th October 2020
IT was set to be the first daytime home game for eight months. Instead the wait goes on.
But the challenge remains in front of Dumbarton as they travel to face Airdrieonians at the Penny Cars Stadium tomorrow.
As per our earlier announcement, the game has been switched from the C&G Systems Stadium in view of a poor overnight weather forecast.
With a win and a defeat on the board so far, Airdrie are fancied to do well in League One by many onlookers this season.
However, for Dumbarton, the match represents a chance to push on after starting the league season with a point and a clean sheet at Forfar Athletic.
Manager Jim Duffy said: “We were disappointed not to be able to play Clyde last week as we’d prepared for it in good spirits after a fairly positive start in the league.
“But instead we switch our attention to playing against Airdrieonians tomorrow. Ian Murray has had them playing well so far and they’ll be looking for another decent performance.
“Although they were beaten by Partick Thistle last week, they were well in the game for long spells and we know they’ll be tough opposition tomorrow.
“If we play as well as we can, though, we are capable of matching them and maintaining our unbeaten start. It is a challenge we are looking forward to facing.”
With PJ Crossan having had an extra week to recover from his muscle injury, Stefan McCluskey is the only player definitely absent tomorrow. Crossan took part in some light training last night and may have a chance.
Having been set to return from suspension last week, Chris Hamilton is in line for his first game in three weeks.
New(ish) signing Adam Frizzell is also added to the squad but having not played a game for a long time, may not be thrown into action straight away.
Action from the sides’ last meeting in February. Copyright Fullarton Photos 2020.
Airdrieonians’ last five games
Saturday, October 24, 2020 – Partick Thistle 2 Airdrieonians 1
Saturday, October 17, 2020 – Airdrieonians 2 Peterhead 0
Tuesday, October 13, 2020 – Stenhousemuir 0 Airdrieonians 2
Wednesday, October 7, 2020 – Airdrieonians 0 Alloa Athletic 2
Saturday, March 7, 2020 – Airdrieonians 1 East Fife 0
Last 10 meetings of the sides
Saturday, February 8, 2020 – Dumbarton 0 Airdrieonians 0
Saturday, November 2, 2019 – Airdrieonians 3 Dumbarton 1
Saturday, September 13, 2019 – Dumbarton 0 Airdrieonians 1
Tuesday, April 2, 2019 – Dumbarton 3 Airdrieonians 3
Saturday, February 2, 2019 – Airdrieonians 2 Dumbarton 2
Saturday, December 8, 2018 – Dumbarton 1 Airdrieonians 1
Saturday, November 24, 2018 – Airdrieonians 3 Dumbarton 0 (Scottish Cup)
Saturday, September 22, 2018 – Airdrieonians 1 Dumbarton 1
Saturday, April 20, 2013 – Dumbarton 4 Airdrieonians 1
Dumbarton’s last win away to Airdrie was in January 2013, by a 2-1 scoreline.
Last Saturday, in their 2-1 defeat to Partick Thistle, Airdrie lined up: Currie; MacDonald, McCann, Kerr, Crighton, Fordyce, Thomson, McKay, Gallagher (Stokes 85), Sabatini (Connell 59), Carrick (Robert 74). Subs: Hutton; Ritchie, Mbayo, O’Reilly.
Unfortunately, the change of venue means that streaming subscriptions to Dumbarton’s Pixellot service are no longer valid for tomorrow. All those who have paid £12 to stream the game will have their money refunded.
All supporters, including our season ticket holders, should now sign up for Airdrieonians’ streaming service at airdriefc.univtec.com in order to watch the game tomorrow.
Our season ticket holders will of course now be able to watch the game on Saturday, January 2 at no additional charge.
Kevin Graham is the referee for tomorrow’s game and will be assisted by Graham Chambers and Blair Fraser.
Andy Galloway