Saturday 26th October 2019
AGAINST Annan Athletic he was a late substitute. Against Stranraer he was sitting in the stand injured.
Ryan McGeever hasn’t just made it third time lucky against Peterhead. He ensured it was better than that.
Dumbarton’s 1-0 victory over the Blue Toon was a result of the centre half’s efforts at each end of the pitch.
Not only was he part of a solid defensive effort which ensured a third clean sheet of the season – and the first he’s been involved in over 90 minutes.
He tapped in the only goal of the game after 53 minutes. Having been substituted against Clyde and missed the Stranraer game, he’s now scored in two 90-minute matches on the trot.
He was also Sonstrust man of the match today, resulting in him leaving the ground with a bottle of whisky.
It all only came about after a successful training session on Thursday which ensured he could be involved against Peterhead.
Speaking to www.dumbartonfootballclub.com, Ryan said: “It sounds perfect for myself but it was a real team performance today.
“We had to dig in and probably didn’t play our best but to get the three points from the game is massive.
“I’m particularly pleased with the clean sheet as it’s the first one I’ve been involved in this season.
“It might have been the type of game we’d have lost earlier this season but as it’s gone on we’ve become better defensively.
“You could see that with Stuart Carswell coming into defence against Stranraer and helping us keep a clean sheet. Earlier in the season we were shipping goals but the gaffer has sorted that out and the boys are playing well at the moment.
“I trained on Thursday. It’s been a frustrating couple of weeks not being able to play.
“But I think I came off at the right time against Clyde. If I’d carried on playing in that game I’d have done more damage. It’s good for me to be back.
“I don’t think I’ve ever scored in two 90-minute performances in a row! Hopefully next week I can notch again.”
Sons now travel to play Airdrieonians on Saturday, with a score to settle after the Diamonds posted a narrow victory at Dumbarton last month.
In what is already a congested League One, every victory is precious and Sons are travelling to North Lanarkshire in confidence.
Ryan added: “Our feet are staying on the ground. In this league, anybody can beat anybody and you can’t take anything for granted. We’ve probably played better than we did today and lost and anything can happen.
“We’re on the same points as Airdrieonians and although they had a good result today and we know it will be tough, we don’t fear anybody.
“The gaffer has got the boys together for longer since we first beat Peterhead. We had a couple of bad results to begin with but there’s a real unity and spirit about the team now.”
Andy Galloway