Friday 8th January 2016
QUEEN of the South are our opponents tomorrow in round four of the William Hill Scottish Cup.
Boss Stevie Aitken is keen for his team to be on a cup run and is looking forward to playing the Dumfries side at the Cheaper Insurance Direct Stadium.
He said: “It’s a home tie and that is pleasing.
“Queen of the South are playing well in the Championship and we face them against next week in the league, however the cup game will be different.
“I’m told that Queens have not conceded a goal against us since we’ve been playing at our stadium from the move from Boghead.
“If we are to progress to round five, then that’s a stat that will have to be challenged.
“We’re disappointed about losing to Rangers last week, but we’re not going to be downbeat.
“We’re in a tough league playing against top, full-time sides. That’s the continuing challenge, and it’s one we look forward to, for every game.
“So we dust ourselves down and move forward, starting tomorrow.”
The Sons and the Doonhamers have met only four times in this competition since the 1925/26 season with Dumbarton winning two. Queens reached the Scottish Cup Final in 2008, eventually losing 3-2 to Rangers.
The Dumfries team are undefeated in four of their last six SPFL outings and sit fifth in the Championship. Iain Russell and Derek Lyle secured a 2-0 win against Livingston last Saturday.
Before kick-off, the club will remember supporter Harry Matthews who recently passed on, with a minutes applause. Harry’s family will be attending the game as guests of the club.
Darren Barr misses out on the action this weekend, after hobbling off with an injury sustained in last week’s game against Rangers.
Steven Saunders is added to the squad, as is on-loan Celtic midfielder Jamie Lindsay.
Alan Findlay & Simon Barrow