Saturday 16th July 2022
DUMBARTON make a swift return to action – and return to northeast Scotland – tomorrow when they play Peterhead in the third sectional match of this season’s Premier Sports Cup.
With the two teams’ chances of qualifying for the knockout stage looking remote at best, the game is another step towards preparations for the important league season for Sons.
But manager Stevie Farrell hopes that they can make it a positive step and put a first win of the season on the board.
He is reading nothing, though, into the events of Wednesday evening, which saw his team put up a spirited display at Aberdeen while Peterhead were hit for six away to Raith Rovers.
He said: “That evening’s action is now done and dusted, and we concentrate on giving another decent account of ourselves at Balmoor Stadium.
“We knew that it was going to be a tough shift at Pittodrie but we stood up for ourselves well and fought our corner.
“However, that match and another long journey just three days later is going to make it tough for us before we have even kicked a ball at Peterhead.
“We know they will want to bounce back from their own result and show that they are in good shape for their season ahead.
“We showed how well we can acquit ourselves against top flight opposition. Now we need to focus on giving a good showing at the top end of the field, and we will be looking to do that.”
The team news remains along similar lines, with Ryan McGeever and Edin Lynch not quite available yet.
But with the manager intending to use the full squad, changes could be made to the two sides which have been fielded so far.
Callum Wilson (pictured) has been a substitute in the two games so far and could come into contention to start.
Peterhead’s other match in the section to date saw them face Aberdeen with similar results to Dumbarton, beaten 2-0 at Balmoor Stadium.
They were of course opponents in cinch League One last season and massively dominated proceedings, with 10 points taken out of 12 including all six from the two meetings at their ground.
This will be our second meeting with them in the League Cup under its various guises. The first was in 2016, when we drew 3-3 at Dumbarton before losing on penalties for the bonus point.
Peterhead’s close season signing activity has included experienced defender Paul Dixon from Falkirk and forward Ryan Dow from Dunfermline Athletic.
However, they were only able to field a squad of 12 players for their game at Kirkcaldy on Wednesday. Their talisman forward Hamish Ritchie has also recently suffered an injury.
Barry Cook will referee tomorrow’s game, with assistance from Colin McAlpine and Kieran O’Reilly.
Should tomorrow’s game end in a draw, it will go straight to a penalty shootout for the bonus point, with no extra time.
Dumbarton Football Club