Friday 15th July 2016
How to follow the match: Tomorrow’s BetFred Cup Group A game at Station Park, Forfar kicks off at 3pm. Fans can also follow the action via the club’s official Twitter account @Dumbartonfc.
Scene-setter: After the summer break, Sons will be looking to kick-off the 16/17 season competitive match action with a win against their League 2 opposition.
Last meeting: Dumbarton 1 – 0 Forfar Athletic, League – Second Division, Saturday, March 31st, 2012, 3:00 PM at Strathclyde Homes Stadium, Attendance: 513, Referee: Stevie O’Reilly. DFC team : Stephen Grindlay, Dominic Kennedy, James Creaney, Alan Lithgow, Ryan Finnie, Mark Gilhaney, Scott Agnew, Arlan Kadima, Kevin Nicoll, Bryan Prunty, Craig Dargo: Subs – Arnaud Gastal, Tony Wallace, Paul Nugent, Pat Walker, Ally Graham
Supporters Notes: The Sonstrust travel section bus departs Church St at 12pm and there are a few seat left. To book, contact Tommy Hughes. Admission prices at Station Park will be £12 for adults and concessions £6.
Forfar will not be producing a match programme for this game. Sons fans are invited to make use of the club’s 1984 Lounge pre-game for refreshments.
View from the dressing room: Manager Stephen Aitken said : “It’ll be good to get into a competitive match tomorrow albeit it’s very early in the summer.
“Forfar will provide us with a stiff test and we are looking forward to going to Station Park.”
Match officials: Referee for tomorrow’s match is David Lowe and he’ll be assisted by Stuart Stevenson and Mark McHendry. Mr Lowe has not officiated at a Sons game before, but he was in charge of three Forfar Ath matches last season against Stranraer, Cowdenbeath and Airdrieonians. Forfar lost all three matches.
Betting: Cup sponsors Betfred have Sons at 4/1 to win Group A. For tomorrow’s match Forfar Athletic are 10/3, Sons priced at 8/11 with a draw coming in at 11/4.
Game Format: Clubs are awarded the usual three points for a win but all drawn games in the group stage go straight to penalties – the shoot-out winners receive a bonus point. ie three points for a win, two points for a shoot-out win and one point for losing on penalties.
Latest team news: Captain Darren Barr misses out with a nerve problem affecting his back but Ryan Clark and Amadou Kassarate are added to the squad. Keeper Jamie Ewings will also be missing due to a hip and back problem, and with only signed players allowed in the tournament, manager Aitken is looking to bring in cover later today.
Alan Findlay