Dumbarton v Forfar Athletic – Match Preview

William Hill Scottish Cup Third Round

Venue – C&G Systems Stadium – Saturday, November 23^rd – Kick-off 3 p.m.

Admission Prices – Adults £15, Concessions £8

Dumbarton and Forfar Athletic clash on Saturday in the national cup competition for the first time since the 2007/8 season.  

On that occasion in a second-round tie played in late October at Station Park a ‘Loons’ side who had not won a league game up to that point took the lead a minute into the second half, Darren Mackie the scorer, but Brian McPhee equalised from the penalty spot for the visitors six minutes later.    Ten days later the ‘Sons’ triumphed 3-0 in the replay.

The home side will obviously go into this Saturday’s game as bookies favourites against a visiting outfit who have lost their last six games.  

One of those defeats for the Station Park men, in fact, came in the shadow of the impressive Dumbarton Rock back in early October, Jim Duffy’s side triumphing 3-1, having been three up at half time.    Kilmarnock loanee Adam Frizzell on his debut netted twice for his ‘adopted’ side that afternoon, Morgyn Neill the other scorer, Jordan Kirkpatrick netting the Athies goal in what was on the day a much-improved second-half showing.

Since then Dumbarton have had a mixed bag of results but at present sit eight points better off than their cup tie opponents, occupying as they do the sixth spot in the table.

Following on a 4-2 reverse to East Fife two weeks back on home soil, they were again in action at the C&G Stadium last weekend and by all accounts were unlucky to only share the spoils in a 1-1 draw with Falkirk.   Isaac Layne had given his side a first-half lead, the ‘Bairns’ equalising in the dying embers of the contest through a hotly disputed spot-kick.

The fixture will, of course, be the first competitive game for the Forfar squad under their new management team.  

Going into the game, Stuart, Barry and Martyn will have four training sessions with the squad under their belts along with a very useful friendly fixture on Monday evening against a St. Mirren X1.

They are also likely to have an almost full-strength pool to choose from although Montrose have not granted permission for Russell McLean to play in cup fixtures, while confirmation of fitness is awaited from Hearts in regard to Rory Currie who does have the ‘Jam Tarts’ permission to ‘tread the boards’ for Forfar in the Scottish.

Andy Jackson is likely to feature in the match day squad having had sixty minutes of ‘active service’ in Monday’s bounce game, while more than one of the players on view in the clash with the young Saints appeared to have a renewed bounce and commitment in their overall play.

The recent run of disappointing results and at times substandard performances from the ‘Loons’ have been a mystery to many especially after the encouraging start they made to the campaign.

All connected with the club will be hoping that the players will respond in the correct manner to the change of management and on Saturday re-produce for a start their early-season League Cup form in the Scottish Cup, prior to a return to league action next midweek.     

As was the case last term a fourth-round berth can be financially lucrative, but also a very rewarding and enjoyable experience for the officials, players and fans alike.

Speaking of which it would appear that a more than a reasonable level of support from the ‘toonie’ and beyond will be making the journey west on Saturday and hopefully they will also play their part in a real team effort.

Match Officials – Referee – Chris Fordyce   Assistant Referees – Graeme Leslie & Frazer Bushell

Supporters Note – The Supporters Coach which has been provided free of charge by FAFC and is full to capacity will leave the Myre Car Park at 11.30a.m. prompt.    Please note no alcohol is permitted on the coach.  

A Supporters Bar is available pre-match at the C&G Systems Stadium.

If Saturday’s  tie was to end in a draw, the replay is scheduled for Station Park on Tuesday, December 3^rd with a 7.45 p.m. kick-off

The full list of third-round fixtures is as follows;-

Linlithgow Rose v Falkirk (playing Friday 7.05p.m.), Albion Rovers v Airdrieonians, Auchinleck Talbot v Arbroath, Bonnyrigg Rose v Montrose, East Fife v BSC Glasgow, Edinburgh City v Annan Athletic, Elgin City v Alloa Athletic, Formartine United v East Kilbride, Inverurie Loco Works v Broxburn Athletic, Morton v Brora Rangers, Partick Thistle v Penicuik Athletic, Queen of the South v Queens Park, Raith Rovers v Peterhead, Stirling Albion v Clyde, Stranraer v Dunfermline Athletic