Sunday 28th November 2021
MANAGER Stevie Farrell felt Dumbarton deserved to progress to round four of the Scottish Cup after yesterday’s victory over Sauchie.
Sons left it late to defeat the East of Scotland League side, as injury time goals by Joe McKee and Ryan Schiavone in injury time ensured a 3-1 win.
A penalty for the Beechwood Park outfit had cancelled out Carlo Pignatiello’s opening goal.
With a potential test against a Premiership outfit among the possibilities for round four, Stevie was glad to end the afternoon without having to plan for a replay next Saturday.
He said: “I’m definitely relieved but we deserved to win. We were miles in front and I thought we controlled the game.
“They are a big, strong side and we gave away too many free kicks, which let them put the ball in the box.
“Apart from that we dominated possession. We told the players to be patient and that was vindicated when you see some of the other results today.
“Some of the chances we missed were frightening but we showed we can score goals. We could have scored a lot more.
“Joe has the quality we needed for the second goal. When it falls to him, on his left or right foot, you know he will place it into the corner.
“He’s a big part of what we’re doing here, but has had a tough start with Covid and injuries.
“I was also delighted for Ryan to get his first senior goal. He’s done really well for us and we’re already talking to Hearts about keeping him beyond the end of his loan spell in January.
“He’s getting game time here, which is important, and getting his first goal will be great for him. Hopefully it’s the first of many he can score.”
Instead of that prospective replay, Dumbarton will travel to face Cove Rangers next Saturday in a return to league action.
The cinch League One leaders drew 2-2 at home to Queen of the South yesterday, but they will travel to Palmerston for the replay on Tuesday, December 7.
And Stevie revealed that some players went above and beyond the call of duty to make themselves available against Sauchie.
He added: “We were struggling today, but we didn’t want to say that before the game. Stuart Carswell and Andy Geggan should not have been near a football pitch today; they should have been at home (with a non-Covid illness).
“We made a deal that one would play 50-60 minutes and the other would play 30-40, and they stood up on behalf of the club.
“It doesn’t worry me who we play in the next round; the most important thing is being in the hat. Some clubs are not in that position and we can enjoy seeing who we get in the draw on Monday.
“But our focus is on Cove next Saturday.”
Andy Galloway