Dumbarton are back at the Rock for the second of a home double header tomorrow with Stanraer making the journey west [kick-off 3.00pm].
Both sides went through their opening five games unbeaten this season but have suffered defeats in their last two league fixtures and will be looking to keep in touch with those at the top with three points tomorrow.
Sons lost 2-0 at Elgin a fortnight ago before going down 1-0 at home to Peterhead last weekend whilst Stranraer, who are managed by former Dumbarton captain Scott Agnew, were thrashed 5-0 by Stenhousemuir prior to Saturday’s 2-0 home loss to Forfar Athletic.
After not finding the net in back-to-back games, but continuing to create a number of chances in front of goal, Dumbarton manager Stevie Farrell has urged his side to be more clinical in the final third.
He said: “We’ve lost the last two games after we were excellent in the first five and deserved everything we got and the last two we haven’t been good enough and you’ve got to take that on the chin as a manager.
“We’ll not go through a season not scoring goals but we’re just going through that wee spell just now where we’re not punishing teams.
“We’ve got 11 points and we know what we set our target as for the first quarter and we’ve still got two games to go and an opportunity to reach that target.
“The last two games have been disappointing so we need to get back on the training ground and if we get that bit right then it will come. There’s too many good players and too many players committed to getting it right for that to happen.
“Stranraer are going through a wee spell similar to ourselves after a good start to the season and will be looking to get back on track so we know what we need to do to make sure we get a positive result.”
In team news, Callum Wilson and Greig Young miss out through injury whilst Finlay Gray is suspended. Declan Byrne will undergo a fitness test prior to kick-off.
Dumbarton had the upper hand in the head to head with Stranraer last season, taking seven points from the twelve available.
It was the Stair Park side who took all three points in the first meeting of the 2022/23 campaign, however. Current Sons player James Hilton put Stranraer ahead and Matthew Grant doubled the lead before Martin McNiff and Joe McKee equalised as it looked as if Sons unbeaten start to the season would stay intact, only for a Paul Woods penalty to earn three points for the hosts.
Dumbarton got revenge in November with a 2-0 win at the Rock thanks to Gregor Buchanan and Michael Garrity goals and Sons followed up that score line at Stair Park in March with Ross MacLean opening the scoring and Buchanan adding a second.
The final meeting between the sides, the last fixture of the 2022/23 season, ended in a 1-1 draw as Edin Lynch cancelled out Peter Grant’s own goal.
Supporters of both sides are urged to buy match tickets in advance to avoid queuing for yourself and for others tomorrow. Available through our partners TicketTailor, and priced at £17 for adults, £11 for concessions and students (valid ID required) and £5 for under-16’s, tickets can be bought at the following link: https://www.tickettailor.com/checkout/view-event/id/2854350/chk/4ea8/?entry_link=all-ticketsdumbartonfootballclubbg_fillfalseminimaltruerefwebsite_widgetshow_date_filtertrueshow_logofalseshow_search_filtertrueshow_sorttruesrchDumbartonwidgettrue&ref=website_widget&srch=Dumbarton&show_search_filter=true&show_date_filter=true&show_sort=true&widget=true&minimal=true&show_logo=false&bg_fill=false#top. Season tickets remain valid.
It’s set to be a busy day in our hospitality lounge tomorrow thanks to our match and match ball sponsors, George Drummond and Glen Gribbon. We hope their party enjoy their day and thank them for their continued support.
There is also still time for you to enjoy the game in style with our pre-match meal hospitality. You will get access to a pay bar, a question and answer session with first-team players, a self-serve buffet, complimentary team sheet, half-time buffet and more. Available for £40+VAT and £30+VAT for season ticket holders, our hospitality provides great value for all. Contact office@dumbartonfc.co.uk or call 01389 762569.
Bar 72 will be open from 1.30pm ahead of tomorrow’s game with fans from both teams welcome. A selection of beers, ciders, spirits, wines, cocktails and soft drinks are available so why not get down to the Rock and catch up with your mates over a cold one before kick-off? Stranraer supporters should enter through turnstiles 1 and 2 and will be taken to the away section of the stand before kick-off.
Please note that due to WiFi problems at the Dumbarton Football Stadium, we are currently unable to offer a live stream of tomorrows match. If this changes we will let supporters know via our website and social media channels.
Tomorrow’s match referee is Calum Scott and he will be assisted by Ian Hart and Chris Hughes.