Friday 2nd September 2022
DUMBARTON travel to Methil tomorrow to play joint second-placed East Fife, looking to continue the great start to the season.
After a club record-breaking five wins out of five, Sons want to create even more history and pick up more points on the trip to New Bayview.
However, they know it will not be straightforward against a team who have started the season well themselves.
Manager Stevie Farrell is pleased with how well his players have trained once again at the start of an away double header which also takes in Stranraer next week.
He said: “The players are delighted with their place in club history but they remain focused on the task at hand.
“They trained well once again last night, and we will be ready for the challenge we face against East Fife, which we know will be tricky.
“Like ourselves, East Fife have aspirations of bouncing back to cinch League One at the first time of asking and have started well towards doing so.
“However, we have every reason to be confident in ourselves getting the job done again, and keeping the feelgood factor going.”
Joe McKee’s hamstring injury, sustained in last week’s game against Elgin City, rules him out of action tomorrow, meaning Sons will have to change the starting line-up in the league for the first time since the second matchday.
Ross MacLean and loan signing Michael Garrity won’t feature tomorrow but it is hoped they could face Stranraer next week. Edin Lynch remains a few weeks away yet.
Ryan Blair (pictured) and Ryan Wallace are set for returns to their former home ground, having left East Fife during the close season.
Supporters are reminded that East Fife highly recommend purchasing a ticket in advance of the trip to New Bayview if possible.
Prices are £18 for adults, £14 for over-65s and concessions, and £5 for under-16s.
Away supporters are located in the left hand side of the stand at New Bayview.
There are a few seats left on the supporters’ bus to the game, which will leave Church Street in Dumbarton at 11.45am.
East Fife’s league campaign has gone positively to date, with them sitting in joint second place in cinch League Two.
They have won games against Elgin City, Albion Rovers and Forfar Athletic to date, as well as drawing with Stranraer last week.
Their only defeat so far has been at home to Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic, with whom they share second place.
Sons are looking to buck a trend tomorrow that has been set over the last couple of seasons, as all of our last seven meetings with East Fife have been won by the home team.
Our last win at New Bayview was in February 2019, when Dom Thomas scored a hat-trick in a 4-3 victory.
The two visits there last season ended 2-1 (October) and 2-0 (March) in East Fife’s favour, while Sons beat them 5-0 (September) and 2-0 (January) at Dumbarton Football Stadium.
Daniel Graves will referee tomorrow’s game, with assistance from Stuart Stevenson and John Stewart.
Dumbarton Football Club