Friday 10th March 2017
DUMBARTON return to the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium tomorrow for a vital fixture against Raith Rovers, sponsored by Waterson MacPherson.
Build Up: Sons are looking to bounce back from last week’s defeat to Dunfermline – their first reverse since 21st January – as they look for the points that will boost their bid for a sixth consecutive season in the Championship.
Meanwhile, the Kirkcaldy side are heading into the game off the back of a 2-0 victory over St Mirren on Wednesday – their first win since October. Ex-Dumbarton midfielder Ryan Stevenson, who recently played in goal for Raith in a 1-0 defeat at Ayr, has left the club in the last 24 hours and will not feature.
Team News: Sons will have to do without the services of Mark Docherty and Gregor Buchanan (suspended) and Lewis Vaughan (ineligible against his parent club) tomorrow. Long-term injury victim Grant Gallagher will also continue to miss out. Ross McCrorie will also be missing due to commitments with Rangers.
Match Coverage:Online coverage will be available on the club Twitter page @dumbartonfc from 2pm, and Sons TV will be online on Sunday morning. Match report and images will also be online on Sunday.
Match Officials:Alan Newlands is the man nominated by the SFA as referee for tomorrow’s game. Saturday’s match will be the first time Mr Newlands has officiated at a Sons game this season. Alan Hogg and Frank Connor will be the touchline assistants.
Archive Stats: Sons and Raith have met 135 times in all major competitions with the Rovers having the upper hand having won 62 times to DFC’s 48. In terms of connections, both clubs have shared a few players over the years including Christian Nade and David Smith from the present Sons squad.
Supporters Notes: Tomorrow’s match is pay at the gate and prices are as follows – Adults £18, Concessions £9 and Parent & Child £24. Rovers fans will be housed in the West section of the stadium. Gates open at 1.45pm.
View from the Dressing Room: Manager Stevie Aitken wants to look forward rather than over his shoulder as the final quarter of the season begins tomorrow. He said : “Last week was very, very disappointing but our focus is firmly on the Raith game. It’s an important game no doubt, but they all are, so our focus and build-up will be the same as ever.”
Sons View: Copies of our matchday magazine the ‘Sons View’ (produced by the Sons Supporters Trust) will be on sale priced £2.50
Half-Time Draw: 50/50 half-time draw tickets are available from sellers throughout the stadium, priced £1 each.
Keep YOUR Stadium Tidy: Please use waste bins to deposit ALL rubbish.
Alan Findlay & Andy Galloway