Sunday 8th August 2021
THREE thousand seven hundred and eighty-one days ago, it looked as if Andy Geggan had scored his last goal for Dumbarton.
He thought it was the winner at home to Alloa Athletic on Saturday, April 2, 2011, but it turned out to only be enough for a 2-2 draw.
Three thousand seven hundred and eighty days later, another 2-2 draw. And the contrast in feelings could not have been bigger.
Airdrieonians were the opposition this time, but Andy’s goal was the one that completed a comeback for Sons from 2-0 down with 10 minutes left to claim a point.
Ryan McGeever had started the revival before Andy hit the equaliser with four minutes to go as despite a man advantage since the hour mark, Sons toiled to take something from the game.
Andy admitted he’s been desperate to get back on to the pitch since returning to Dumbarton in the close season, and that moment today made it worth the wait.
He now hopes he’s forced his way into the starting XI for the games to come.
He said: “It’s good to get the point but we’re disappointed to lose the two goals as we did.
“I could see the comeback coming from us and we had chances to finish the game off as well. If they had kept 11 men on the pitch it might have been different but we did well.
“The gaffer basically told me to go on and fight my way through the game and I thought I did that.
“When the ball came to me I just thought to strike it and see what happened. Obviously I struck it well enough.
“It was brilliant to have the fans back in the ground as well – it took me back a bit.
“I’ve been champing at the bit to get on the pitch, especially today, with how the game was going.
“It’s been frustrating being injured, then coming back and getting injured against Stenhousemuir, but it was good to get on the pitch today and hopefully I’ve given the manager a headache for the next game.”
After Wednesday’s SPFL Trust Trophy tie at home to Rangers B, Sons visit Queen’s Park in their third cinch League One fixture – a top of the table clash.
The toughness of the task is well-known, but Andy is optimistic for the second trip to Firhill, where the Spiders are groundsharing, in less than a month.
He added: “We know that Queen’s Park are full-time but if we set up properly I don’t see anybody bothering us.
“We’re already seeing how the league will go, with nobody on full points after only two games. The last year was disappointing here but the only way we are looking is up. We will keep working away.
“There are a lot of good players here – young boys and experienced boys, and it’s been brilliant.
“We all talk to each other on and off the pitch and we’ve got a good relationship, which is surprising given how quickly we came together.”
Andy celebrates netting the equaliser. Copyright Andy Scott Photos 2021.
Andy Galloway