Saturday 7th October 2017
COMPARED to Dumbarton’s wait to reach the last eight of the Irn Bru Cup, Jamie Ewings hasn’t been kept waiting that long.
But 17 months is still a long time to be sitting on the bench week in, week out.
It finally came to an end for Jamie last night when he came on for the injured Scott Gallacher in last night’s 2-1 win over Stranraer.
He last donned the gloves in match action on the final day of season 2015/16, when Dumbarton drew 1-1 at Alloa.
Since then he’s had to watch Gallacher, and his old friend Alan Martin, keeping the starting jersey out of his reach.
Last night’s result meant that Sons reached the quarter finals of what is now the Irn Bru Cup for the first time in 15 years – and only the second time ever.
There was one scary moment in the second half when it looked like Jamie too might have to go off – but he revealed it was all a false alarm.
Speaking to www.dumbartonfootballclub.com, Jamie said: “I’ve been flung right in at the deep end!
“It was my first game for over a year, but I’m doing my bit for the team. It was a bit of a culture shock but I’m glad to help us through to the next round.
“There was never any possibility I might have to come off. It was just a bit of rustiness from me not having played in a while.
“My shinguards were a bit tight, so I got the physio to cut them off a bit and then it was just a case of stretching whenever I could. I managed the situation fine.
“Alan is a good friend of mine who I’ve known for about 15 years. I was always fighting his corner when he was here last season and he deserved to play as he did.”
Dumbarton’s attention now returns to the Championship, with league leaders St Mirren visiting the YOUR Radio 103FM Stadium on Saturday.
Buddies assistant manager James Fowler was in the crowd for the Stranraer match, and Jamie hopes he went home deep in thought.
He added: “You need to win your home games and we’ve been doing that. If you can win at home and take something away it stands you in good stead.
“Last year we were a bit stop-start but this time we’ve got points on the board early doors. We’ll be aiming to get more against St Mirren next week.
“It will be a tough game. I know Jack Ross (St Mirren manager) well and he’s done brilliantly there. I always knew he’d make it to that level.
“We are the type of team that doesn’t make things easy. We weren’t great tonight but we’ve ground out a result, which is the main thing.”
Andy Galloway