Friday 13th November 2020
DUMBARTON’S Betfred Cup campaign comes to an end for another season with a tricky trip to Ayrshire to face Premiership outfit Kilmarnock.
Having been well beaten by Falkirk on Tuesday despite a hardworking performance which kept them in it for much of the evening, Sons are expecting another tough test.
With neither side able to qualify for the knockout stages, the pressure is off for this game, the third meeting of the sides in the competition in the last four seasons.
Kilmarnock were winners in each of the previous two, but Dumbarton, while wary of the challenge, will make the journey to Rugby Park in hope.
Manager Jim Duffy said: “We wanted the players to be competitive on Tuesday and despite the result, that was what we got.
“It was a tough night for us but our players never stopped working and we know it will need to be the same tomorrow.
“Kilmarnock are of course a top flight side and will be huge favourites tomorrow, but if we go there and apply ourselves as we can, we’ll give ourselves the best chance possible.
“Neither side has the pressure of needing a result to qualify and as difficult as it will certainly be, we’ll be aiming to go out on a high.”
Having suffered badly through injuries and suspensions on Tuesday, the situation is gradually improving for tomorrow.
The suspended trio of Stuart Carswell, Morgyn Neill and Chris Hamilton are now free of their bans and available on that front.
However, Carswell is one of three players who Sons will wait on fitness-wise for the game. Nat Wedderburn and Rico Quitongo, who have taken knocks in recent matches, will also face checks on their condition.
Stefan McCluskey, PJ Crossan and Chris Smith remain out.
The game is of course behind closed doors tomorrow and is available to stream for £10 through ppv.kilmarnockfc.co.uk. It is not available through our own Pixellot channel.
Sons score against Killie in the sides’ last meeting two years ago. Copyright Fullarton Photos 2018.
Killie were 2-0 winners at Clyde on Tuesday night in their third sectional tie of this season’s Betfred Cup.
Their team that night was: Doyle; McGowan, Haunstrup, McKenzie, Brophy, Whitehall, Rossi, Findlay, Pinnock, Mulumbu, Brindley. Subs: Eastwood; Broadfoot, Power, Kiltie, Kabamba, Waters, Thsibola, Burke.
As above, this is the third time in four seasons that the sides have clashed in the Betfred Cup. Kilmarnock were 3-0 winners at home in July 2017, before winning 4-2 at Dumbarton a year later.
The 2017 meeting was the sides’ first game against each other since August 1995, also in the League Cup, a fixture won 1-0 by Killie after extra time at Rugby Park.
Gavin Duncan will referee tomorrow’s game, assisted by Graham Chambers and George King.
After events in Belgrade last night, it’s worth mentioning that this game goes to penalties if it finishes level as well.
Andy Galloway