DUMBARTON READY FOR A TEST

Friday 6^th October 2017

DUMBARTON face another challenge tonight from former assistant manager Stevie Farrell (pictured) and his Stranraer side in the Irn Bru Cup third round.

There are quite a few connections between the clubs. Sons gaffer Stevie Aitken was Stranraer boss before joining us at the YOUR Radio 103FM Stadium and current Stair Park manager is Stephen Farrell who was our assistant manager for two seasons. And what about players? In Stranraer’s squad tonight will be Scott Agnew. ‘Aggy’ made a total of 151 appearnces in the famous Sons shirt, scoring 35 goals and was a firm favourite at the Rock. And in another link, Stranraer’s assistant manager is none other than Chris Aitken, Stevie’s brother!

It has been 10 years since both club faced each other in the same league. For this particular competition though, this is the fourth of the last five seasons that the teams have been paired. Overall we’ve played the Stair Park club four times in this tournament, losing every time. Our full record is as follows – Oct 1993 lost 2-1, July 2013 lost 4-2, July 2014 lost 3-2 and Sep 2016 lost 1-0.

Tonight’s game gives manager Aitken an option of shuffling his squad and perhaps giving some players game time. However missing will be the injured trio of Grant Gallagher, Danny Handling and Stuart Carswell. Greg Morrison will not feature as he is cup-tied.

Another Aitken, Greg Aitken, will referee tonight’s Irn Bru Cup 3rd round tie. Mr Aitken has been in charge of one Sons match already this season – our 1-1 draw with Dundee United at Tannadice. Graham Chambers and Joseph Lawson will be the assistants.

Alan Findlay