Dumbarton get their home campaign in the 2023/24 cinch League Two under way tomorrow [3.00pm] with the visit of SPFL new boys Spartans.
Both sides opened their accounts for the season with 1-1 draws last weekend as Sons shared the spoils at Bonnyrigg Rose and Spartans earned a point against Clyde.
Dumbarton should have left New Dundas Park with more last weekend as, after taking the lead through Ryan Blair after just four minutes, were pegged back in the closing stages after Sons passed up a number of chances.
Boss Stevie Farrell insists his side aren’t far away from clicking in the final third in his new approach as he looks to make The Rock a fortress in the season ahead.
He said: “Saturday was frustrating because I thought we should have had the game wrapped up.
“The one thing we have been doing in the friendlies and the cup games is creating a lot of chances.
“I didn’t think we had much defending to do, apart from set pieces, and the frustrating thing is the one time Bonnyrigg caused us a problem from open play they got their goal.
“One day we are due to give a team a doing when all the chances fall for us and we take them.
“Franko and I watched Spatans against Partick Thistle a couple of weeks ago and they were very good.
“They weren’t just stuffy, they offered a threat and have picked up some good results in the league cup section and now they have picked up a solid point to start the season.
“You don’t get given any games in League Two, every one of them is different and points have to be earned.
“We made Dumbarton a hard place to come for large spells last year and we’ve got to make that home form count for us.”
In team news, Blair Malcolm is set to return to the squad after becoming free from suspension and Kalvin Orsi is also back in contention after a recent injury. Ryan Wallace remains on his honeymoon whilst Declan Byrne and Callum Wilson are out.
Spartans earned promotion to League Two at the end of last season after finishing top of the Lowland League and coming through against Albion Rovers in the play-offs to earn their spot in the SPFL.
The sides have met just once previously in a competitive format with Dumbarton winning a Betfred Cup tie on penalties in 2018.
Whilst all of the members of Sons squad from that day have now moved on, Spartans have kept two faces from that fixture in the shape of goalkeeper Blair Carswell and last weekends goalscorer Jamie Dishington whilst the likes of James Craigen and Blair Henderson will also have to be watched closely with their SPFL experience.
For fans attending tomorrow’s match, season tickets are of course valid for the first time this campaign. Tickets are available to purchase through TicketTailor at the following link: https://tinyurl.com/34ff2yhc
A cash only pay at the gate will also be in operation.
Bar 72 will be open from 1.30pm for both sets of supporters. Spartans fans looking to make use of the facilities should enter through the home turnstiles (1 and 2).
Overseas supporters can purchase the game for £10 here: https://dumbartonfootballclub.com/onlinematch/.
Tomorrow’s referee is Colin Whyte with assistants Colin McAlpine and Scott McGregor.