Friday 28th July 2017
DUMBARTON face Kilmarnock in the Betfred Cup final Group Three game at Rugby Park on Saturday 29th July.
Bobby Madden will be the match referee for this weekend’s game. Graham Chambers and Simon McLean will assist.
The last time these teams faced each other in this competition was on the 19th August 1995 and Killie won 1-0. At that time Sons were managed by Jim Fallon.
Sons lined up as follows: Ian MacFarlane, Jim Meechan, Jim Marsland, Hugh Burns, Paul Martin, Roland Fabiani, Toby King, Chic Charnley, Martin McGarvey, Sam McGivern, Martin Mooney. Subs: Peter Dennison, Charlie Gibson, Alan Granger.
Dumbarton’s overall record against Kilmarnock could be better. In 83 games, we have 25 wins, drawn 20 matches and lost 38. The last victory against Killie came on 13th February 1993 at Boghead Park. A Martin Mooney separated the teams on that day. The Sons team was: Ian MacFarlane, Jim Meechan, Stevie Gow, Martin Melvin, John Boyd, Jim Marsland, Paul Martin, Alan Foster, Mike McAnenay, Robert Docherty, Charlie Gibson. Subs: Martin McGarvey, Martin Mooney
There is plenty of history of Dumbarton and Kilmarnock having players who played for both clubs. From Sons current squad Chris Johnston is a former Rugby Park player and last season’s captain Darren Barr also had a spell there.
Other names that will evoke memories include Irvine born and Kille Hall of Famer Ray Montgomerie who made 197 appearances for Dumbarton. Other more recent players include Mark Brown, Mark Canning, Craig Dargo, Willie Gibson, Stevie Murray and Frazer Wright.
In terms of the context for this match, this is how things look:
| BetFred Cup Group E | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Team | Pld | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Ayr United | 3 | 7 | 9 |
| 2 | Kilmarnock | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 3 | Clyde | 4 | -4 | 6 |
| 4 | Annan Athletic | 3 | -3 | 2 |
| 5 | Dumbarton | 3 | -3 | 1 |
Sons have no possibility of qualifying for the second stage of the competition. However, it’s all to play for for Killie. The eight group winners and four best runners-up progress to the second round, where they are joined by the four clubs competing in Europe – Celtic, Aberdeen, Rangers and St Johnstone.
The seeded teams in the last 16 are the four European clubs and the four group winners with the highest points totals.
The tournament reverts to a traditional knock-out format from the second round onwards, with ties decided by extra time and penalties if the scores are level after 90 minutes.
Christian Nade is suspended for the trip to Ayrshire and he’ll serve a one game ban as a result of his red card against Annan Athletic. Grant Gallagher and Stuart Carswell are out and there will be late checks on Tom Walsh and Dougie Hill.
Manager Stevie Aitken added : “Tomorrow will be a huge test for us. Our squad has been streched to the absolute limit in this tournament and it’s been a difficult time. Kilmarnock are a Premiership club and that alone means we are up against it. That said, it’s a game that I’m looking forward to.”
Alan Findlay & Simon Barrow