Monday 7th December 2020
IT’S early days in Kevin Dabrowski’s career. Dumbarton’s goalless draw with Partick Thistle was only his 28th first team game at senior level.
It would be a surprise if any of the previous 27 were better. If the 22-year-old has a better game in the future than he did at Firhill, consider yourself privileged to witness it.
The on-loan Sons goalkeeper was a blue-shirted tower of strength for Sons as they battled their way to a hard-earned point in the west end of Glasgow.
Whatever Thistle could throw at him, Kevin was equal to it. Even when it came from the penalty spot.
His save from Brian Graham’s kick five minutes from half time made him the first Dumbarton goalie to save a penalty during a match for nearly three years.
As if that wasn’t enough, he kept the same player out again at point blank range going into injury time. Various other men in red and yellow were thwarted too.
The hope going forward is that Kevin might not be kept as busy in the games to come. But when he had to be busy, he was just glad to do his bit.
Speaking to www.dumbartonfootballclub.com, Kevin said: “It was crazy. A very, very tough game.
“Saving the penalty was the biggest thing. It gave me such a big lift and it’s something amazing to do. I’m very happy that I could help the team to keep a clean sheet.
“The entire back four were excellent, even though Ryan McGeever was missing. Stuart Carswell replaced him and for me, he is such a complete player.
“He can play any position when we are missing a player – it doesn’t matter where. I think he could even play between the sticks if he had to.
“It was one of the most important games in our season. We know how big Partick Thistle are as a club and how tough it would be to play them away from home, so we are delighted to take a point.
“It should absolutely have us looking at the coming games more confidently. We now can’t wait to face Cove Rangers next Saturday.”
Kevin already has three clean sheets on the board in the six league games he has played for Sons to date. Had he been able to play at Airdrie, who knows – it may have been four from seven.
It’s a run he’s determined to keep going, while also anxious to see the team’s high workrate earn greater rewards.
He added: “I never thought I would have so many clean sheets on the board so quickly. I hope we can add even more – I will certainly do my best to ensure we do.
“Every single game we’ve played really well and there has been lots of desire among the boys. They put in such a great effort in every game.
“Sometimes we are unlucky and we’ve been beaten when we’ve been the better team. We’ve shown there is potential to get more points posted in the games to come.”
Andy Galloway