Tuesday 4th May 2021
IT may only be half the story of how Dumbarton’s season will finish, but tonight’s game against Peterhead remains a vital one for Sons.
A result against the Blue Toon is essential to have any chance of escaping the ninth spot that Dumbarton currently occupy in League One.
Even if they get it, their fate will hinge on the outcome of Clyde’s game at home to East Fife on Thursday.
A win or a draw tonight will move Sons above the Cumbernauld club. If the other possibility happens, it’s all over and they will be confirmed to finish ninth.
Manager Jim Duffy is determined to keep hope of automatic survival alive tonight and see his team bounce back from Saturday’s defeat to Clyde.
The gaffer said: “We know what we have to do tonight. There is no point in worrying about what happens on Thursday; the only aspect we can control is that we put the pressure on Clyde by getting a result tonight.
“We were very disappointed to lose at Broadwood on Saturday and tonight I want to see a response to that disappointment.
“The players are continuing to give us everything and their exertions have sometimes not had the rewards they have deserved this season.
“Ultimately, though, tonight is our last opportunity to put league points on the board this season and it is important that we do so.”
Sam Wardrop, Daniel Church and Joshua Bradley-Hurst are once again absent through injury, while Isaac Layne is ineligible under the terms of his loan from Peterhead.
However, Nat Wedderburn has been upgraded from ‘definitely out’ to ‘doubtful’ after some positive progress in his recovery from injury.
He will be assessed ahead of the game, as will PJ Crossan, who came off on Saturday with a suspected hamstring injury.
Nick McAllister’s availability tonight will be determined by his parent club, St Mirren, who are continuing to assess the injury he picked up against Forfar Athletic last week.
Tonight’s game is once again behind closed doors and details for streaming the game are as per our previous story.
Once again, we repeat our safety notice – no supporters of either side should attend the C&G Systems Stadium or its grounds this evening.
The club safety officer respectfully requests that supporters (home and away) refrain from climbing up on various items such as ladders, bicycles or chairs, to view home games over the fence.
This is due to the risk of harm or injury. The fence is pointed and rusty in some areas and there is a potential risk of impalement if hit by a stray football or if they were to fall forward.
The best and safest way to watch tonight’s game is via our live streaming service. We thank you in anticipation of your co-operation in this request.
With the social media boycott now at an end, our live matchday commentary will return to our Twitter feed @dumbartonfc for tonight’s game.
Referee David Dickinson will oversee proceedings tonight, and will be assisted by Drew Kirkland and Andrew Craven.
Andy Galloway