Match Preview

It’s Viaplay Cup Group E, match day three on Saturday as we head to the rock to face fellow League Two side Dumbarton.

While we began the group with narrow defeats to Inverness and Dundee respectively, Dumbarton kicked off their campaign with defeat away to Airdrieonians before a Tony Wallace double on Tuesday gave them all three points in a 2-1 win at home to Inverness.

Despite the defeats, the performances against Championship and Premiership opponents respectively will have given Robbie Horn and his players confidence going into this weekends game against a team from our own division.

If we’re to register our first win of the group stage on Saturday, we will have to do something that we failed to do on four occasions last season, overcome a very hard to beat Dumbarton side. All four games last season against the side from the rock were extremely tight encounters. A Stuart Carswell penalty was the difference between the sides in the first meeting before a 1-1 draw at NDP in December. Only an unfortunate Josh Grigor own goal that day prevented the points from staying in Midlothian. Our second visit to the rock ended in another single goal victory for the hosts as Gregg Wylde strike separated the sides. The final meeting at NDP in April ended in a 2-0 win for Dumbarton, albeit another close encounter with both goals coming late in the game.

There’s been a number of player departures at Dumbarton over the summer, most notably centre back Gregor Buchanan who was named in the League Two Team of The Year, he has moved to Stenhousemuir. Others include Stuart Carswell, Joe McKee, Russell McLean, Martin McNiff, John Gemmell, Edin Lynch, Ryan McGeever and Ally Love.

Stevie Farrell has been active in the transfer market to replace the outgoing players. Carlo Pignatellio has joined from Morton, Greig Young from Raith and experienced centre back Mark Durnan from Alloa. Farrell has also recruited some League Two experience from last season in Tony Wallace from Annan, Sean Crichton from Stenhousemuir, James Hilton from Stranraer and a double swoop on relegated Albion Rovers for Callum Wilson and Blair Malcolm. 21 year old centre forward Michael Ruth has also joined from Queen of The South.

There are still some seats left on the Supporters Club bus, if you’d like a seat get in touch via the Supporters Club socials.

Supporters can pay at the gate on Saturday, admission £15 / £10 / £5

We look forward to seeing you there.

‘Mon the Rose!