Sunday 28th November 2021
THEY’VE just added a lot more miles to Dumbarton’s journey next Saturday.
But Joe McKee and Ryan Schiavone have no complaints, after their injury time goals against Sauchie avoided a replay with the East of Scotland League club.
Had yesterday’s Scottish Cup third round tie ended level, the replay would have been in Clackmannanshire next Saturday.
Instead, Sons will travel to face Cove Rangers as originally planned, after Joe made it 2-1 a minute into injury time and Ryan sealed it with the game’s last meaningful kick.
The club website spoke to the two players, with Joe glad to post his first goal since returning to DFC, after a tough initial return.
Speaking to www.dumbartonfootballclub.com, Joe said: “Getting into the next round is what it’s about and we’ve done that.
“We just knew we had to keep plugging away. The longer the game went on, and the more we pushed for the winner, we could get it. It was getting a bit tight for time but we got there in the end.
“It’s also my first goal since coming back to Dumbarton so it’s good to get off the mark in that respect.
“I had a tough start when I first came back. I had Covid and had a few underlying issues with that for a while. Then there were a couple of injuries too.
“I’ve played a few different positions since coming back – as a 10, on the right and the left – but it felt good to get back in the middle today.
“That’s the position I’ve played all my career, so hopefully I can stay there. It’s good to get on the ball and make things happen.
“I think we deserved to win it, but it was a great effort from Sauchie and I said that to them at the end. We wish them all the best.”
Joe admitted it was also a relief to end the run without a win at Alloa last Saturday. Now Sons are heading to Aberdeen to face Cove after back to back victories.
He added: “The way I’ve always looked at it is just to take it a game at a time. We’ll just try our best going into each game, and we’ll train this week to be ready for Cove.
“It was a relief to beat Alloa last week and end the run without a win. I’ve been through times like that in my career; it’s part of being a footballer.
“But you know that if you keep working hard. Now we need to keep plugging away and get another run going, this time one of victories.
“It remains early in the season – we’re not even at the halfway point. There’s a long way to go this season and if we put a positive run together we can shoot up the table.”
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Ryan turns away after scoring the clinching goal against Sauchie. Copyright Andy Scott Photos 2021.
MEANWHILE, Ryan was delighted to get off the mark with his first goal for Dumbarton yesterday.
The teenager, on loan from Hearts, had waited patiently to burst the net for the first time in a Sons shirt despite some impressive performances.
He now hopes it can be the first of many, with the second potentially coming in this weekend’s trip to face cinch League One leaders Cove Rangers.
He said: “I’m absolutely buzzing. I’ve been waiting for that for a long time.
“When I came to Dumbarton on loan I knew I’d have to work to get a starting place in the team. I’m enjoying every minute of it.
“It’s just great to be playing against men and experienced players every week and I hope that can continue in the weeks to come.
“To come from under-18 football to this is completely different, but it’s been a really great experience for me.
“A goal is a goal and I’ll take it today. I’ve known that if I keep working hard a goal will come. I’ve had other chances I should have scored today.
“I’ve now got to kick on and hopefully that’s the start of it, and it can continue away to Cove next Saturday.
“It will be quite a tough game. I know they are one of the top teams in the league so we’ll have to play well to beat them.”
Andy Galloway