Friday 11th December 2020
IT is a history-making game for Dumbarton tomorrow in the form of their first-ever match against Cove Rangers, and it is one where they hope they can kick on from last week.
Having put in a solid defensive effort to earn a point against Partick Thistle last week, attention now switches to the other end of the pitch for Sons.
Goals have been hard to come by during the recent tough run, but Dumbarton feel they are due to have something go their way.
But they are also wary of the tough task ahead against Cove, who have won back-to-back promotions and have started life in League One well.
Manager Jim Duffy said: “It was a hard-fought point at Firhill last week, which we were pleased with, and it was a huge effort to gain it.
“We expect no less effort to be needed if we are to take anything tomorrow and we know the players will deliver the graft we need.
“We know what we need to do to put victories on the board. If we keep working hard, then goals and breaks in our favour will come.
“Tomorrow is obviously a leap into the unknown for us as we’ve never played Cove Rangers before. We will look forward to the challenge and hope it is one we will overcome.”
Goalkeeper Chris Smith (thumbnail picture) is fit again and returns to the squad for tomorrow.
Ryan McGeever and Matthew Reilly remain out, but otherwise Sons have a full squad available.
The game is of course behind closed doors, and supporters will be able to watch online through our Pixellot channel. Details are as per our previous story.
If you can’t get to a screen tomorrow, we’ll have Twitter commentary on our feed @dumbartonfc and our web report will be online as soon as possible after the final whistle.
Tomorrow will be our first ‘first’ competitive meeting with a team since the Betfred Cup tie with Spartans in July 2018.
It will be our first ‘first’ league meeting with a team since we played – and beat – Inverness CT in September 2017.
Cove’s team which lost 2-1 to Montrose last week was: McKenzie; Milne (Livingstone 69), Scully (Seb Ross 76), Scott Ross, Strachan, Yule, Masson (Watson 76), McIntosh, Higgins McAllister (Semple 76), Fyvie. Subs: Demus; Brown, Graham.
Greg Aitken is the referee for tomorrow’s game and the lines will be run by Daniel McFarlane and David Dunne.
Andy Galloway