Dumbarton 1 Livingston 0

THE build-up to this match was all about the departure of one striker.

The aftermath centred on celebrations at the return of another.

Chris Kane is back in the building for Dumbarton – and for the third game in a row against Livingston, made the difference late in the day.

In the last minute of normal time, a game heading for a goalless stalemate was settled by his header from Scott Agnew’s cross.

It wasn’t quite ‘Bryan Who?’ after the departure of Mr Prunty to Airdrie. But it was a moment to relish.

And one which was long overdue for Sons. The last time Livi were beaten in G82, the game was played at Boghead Park and they were still Meadowbank Thistle. It was February 1995, a game won 4-0 by the home team.

Of more imminent importance was that it put Dumbarton’s first league points on the board. After four games, they have as many points as Hibernian do.

After a tough week, with defeats to Rangers and Hibs, a draw and a clean sheet wouldn’t have been the worst outcome for Ian Murray’s men.

However, offer them a moment like Kane delivered with a flick of his head? They’d bite your hand off for it. And they deserved it.

While the first half was a poor spectacle the second 45, with Kane introduced, was more watchable and could have gone either way.

But Sons gradually got on top, and were looking the more likely to score as the game entered its dying stages.

They did. And now the league table no longer has them at the bottom.

Livingston started the match with the same wind advantage with which Queen of the South so clinically punished Sons two weeks before. However, they couldn’t make it count.

Danny Mullen forced an early save from Danny Rogers while Gary Glen headed a good chance over. Shortly afterwards, at the other end, Colin Nish got his head to Scott Linton’s cross but his finish was just the wrong side of the post.

The pace didn’t last, with chances coming in fits and starts. Livi’s Jordan White headed over while Nish just couldn’t connect with Chris Turner’s lay-off. Livi broke upfield from the loose ball, with Rogers saving well from White.

By this point, David Van Zanten had left the action injured, giving loan signing Kieran MacDonald an unexpected early debut. The switch forced Linton to move to right back.

Both sides had the chance of taking the lead right on half time. Mitch Megginson shot over from Garry Fleming’s low ball while Glen drove a low shot across goal and wide for Livi.

Kane entered the action in place of the toothache-stricken Nish at half time to huge applause from the home end. Within three minutes, after Rogers had again saved from White, he nearly had a goal.

He latched on to the keeper’s kick but his effort was saved. Within minutes Kyle Jacobs headed against the bar for the visitors.

That scare seemed to have an impact on Sons, who were making far better use of the wind than they did against Queen of the South.

Agnew’s shot was blocked by a defender at close range while Megginson had a shot brilliantly pushed away by the keeper as it bent towards goal.

Megginson then put Kane through on goal only for the keeper to block at close range, with Callum Fordyce completing the clearance.

Kane tried again with 14 minutes left after Fleming flicked the ball on for him, but again the keeper denied him.

Three minutes were left when Livingston, after so much pressure from Sons, had the chance to win it, but Rob Ogleby’s shot from Jason Talbot’s low ball missed the target.

And the stage was left for Kane. In February he scored the late equaliser against Livi. The following month his last-minute winner saw them off at Almondvale.

Five months on from that day in West Lothian, he got to Agnew’s cross ahead of the keeper and did it again.

Dumbarton’s wait for their first points, after a difficult opening to the season, was over.

Dumbarton: Rogers; Van Zanten (MacDonald 33), Linton, Graham, Turner, Gilhaney, Agnew, Nish (Kane 46), Megginson, Taggart, Fleming (Campbell 76). Subs: Ewings; Kirkpatrick, Murray, McDougall.

Livingston: Jamieson; Talbot, Fordyce, Ky Jacobs, Ke Jacobs, O’Brien, Gallagher, McKenna (Robertson 74), White, Glen (Hippolyte 74), Mullen (Ogleby 46). Subs: Grant; Sives, Beaumont, Rutherford.

Referee: Barry Cook.

Crowd: 861.

Bryan Prunty – a people person

“LISTEN, pal, any time.”

Those words, or similar, were the ones with which Bryan Prunty always ended a telephone conversation with me during his time at Dumbarton.

Even the one we had the day after he signed for the club.

We’d never shaken hands, only ever crossed each other’s paths unknowingly when he’d played against Sons.

Through Bryan’s three seasons at the Rock, he always had time for a chat. He even thanked me personally for a two-page newspaper interview I did with him in 2012.

There are no doubt dozens more at Dumbarton who have similar stories to tell about what a people person he is. Many of them supporters, people who pay their hard-earned cash through the gate week in, week out.

And it’s for that reason that news of his departure from the club to join Airdrie, before Saturday’s match against Livingston, was met with disappointment. Genuine disappointment.

This wasn’t just for the sake of it. This was recognition of his part in the relationship between players and fans at Dumbarton.

From a football point of view, Bryan is no different to any other player. He wants to play games and, as this season unfolded, it was clear his chances were going to be limited with Sons.

So no surprise there. Manager Ian Murray took a decision he’d at least have to consider with any player who wasn’t going to start regularly.

But Bryan has earned the respect of people he’s played with and played for. Because he respects them back.

Dumbarton is a club where everyone, on and off the pitch, engages. If you recognise it at no other time, you recognise it at the Sons Supporters Trust’s end-of-season awards night.

An evening where, almost every year, however the season has ended, you’re sorry it’s over.

And it was when engaging with others away from the pitch that Bryan came into his own at Sons.

He’s just got it. The ability to connect with anyone who shares his affinity for football, for his club.

In this day and age, when footballers at higher levels are earning more in a week than Dumbarton players do in a decade, that’s refreshing.

It’s that spirit at the club that keeps people coming back for more. However many winter days you have to spend at Cowdenbeath, however many games you’re 3-0 down midway through the second half.

On the pitch, Bryan leaves Dumbarton with so much to recall fondly – one of the stand-outs being the promotion success of 2012. A success from which only Scott Agnew, Mark Gilhaney, Stephen Grindlay and Jamie Ewings still remain at the club.

Four of the six goals at East Fife, the free kick with the head bandage at Arbroath, the opener in the play-off final against Airdrie. They all came from him.

And then there was that goal at Almondvale. THAT goal.

Craig Gordon was present at a Sons match for the first time that day. A Scotland international goalkeeper’s presence at Livingston v Dumbarton was put totally in the shade by one moment of genius. When that happens, you’re doing something right.

Bryan’s departure is evidence of a fact of football that Murray himself stated at the 2013 awards night. Fans will always be there – players, and for that matter, managers and staff, come and go.

Dumbarton will move on – they already have, by beating Livingston. And the players who remain at the club will carry on the traditional rapport between themselves and the fans. That will not change.

But a player who respected and appreciated that relationship has now left the building. He does so with the unanimous wishes of everyone for the best of luck.

And Bryan’s debut for Airdrie (actually his second debut – he’s played for them before) will be on September 13 away to…Morton. The team against whom he scored his last goal for Sons on Saturday, January 4.

Sometimes these things just work themselves out. All you need is for him and former Dumbarton team-mate Jim Lister to be back at the Rock in Airdrie colours in the Scottish Cup third round on Saturday, November 1.

On second thoughts…

Rangers 4 Dumbarton 1

THE last time Dumbarton played Rangers, the sides were a division apart.

On Saturday both teams were from the same league – but looked as if they were separated by the entire Scottish football spectrum.

Sons escaped from Ibrox having conceded only half the goals that Clyde did last Monday, but were lucky it wasn’t more.

Lee McCulloch and Darren McGregor gave the hosts a 2-0 half time lead, which was extended after the interval by Nicky Clark and a Chris Turner own goal.

Turner, though, wasn’t the only player on the pitch to beat his own keeper, as Bilel Mohsni then did likewise to give Sons a goal back.

The message was there in advance of kick-off – Dumbarton had every right to contest this fixture. They had nothing to lose.

But they set themselves up like a non-league team does in a Scottish Cup tie in one of the big grounds – looking for a damage limitation exercise.

It failed. Too many times possession was cheaply squandered, including, on numerous occasions, promising positions in attack.

That led to sustained assaults on their goal, with the score kept down by some fine goalkeeping from on-loan Danny Rogers.

It’s hard not to feel that the real Dumbarton are still to emerge this season. Five competitive games into the campaign, all there’s been is an unconvincing 1-0 win at Brechin.

Where’s the flair that won them so many games last season? The zip, the vigour about their play that led to goal after goal against all Championship comers?

No-one pretended it would be easy to go to Ibrox and attack. But Sons have far more to offer a game against any league opposition than they did on Saturday.

And yet…they could have been ahead in two minutes.

Archie Campbell’s low ball into the area found Colin Nish in space, but the striker’s shot was saved.

Who knows what kind of response that could have provoked from Rangers had it found the net? As it was, the home side didn’t take long to find a rhythm.

Kris Boyd’s shot missed the target before the scoring was opened on 14 minutes.

It generally isn’t a good idea to leave a midfielder of McCulloch’s experience unmarked at a corner. However, that was what happened and the midfielder powered home a shot.

Both of Rogers’ posts were then hit within a four-minute spell, firstly by Lewis MacLeod with a 20-yard shot and then by Clark from close range. David Templeton also had a shot saved.

But on 29 minutes, a low ball across the area found McGregor rushing in from the right back position and he drilled home a low shot.

Rogers twice did well, in quick succession, to deny Boyd, who went into the game off the back of scoring a hat-trick against Clyde.

Then Sons, for a spell, looked like getting the goal that could get them back into it, with Nish again denied by the keeper after getting to Jordan Kirkpatrick’s cross.

Then another assist from Kirkpatrick found Turner waiting at the back post, but his header was turned away by the keeper.

However, Rogers had to be on form again in the late stages of the first half, saving from Nicky Law and then Lee Wallace.

Law was unlucky early in the second half with a Paul Gascoigne Euro 96-style flick over Scott Linton followed by a volley which was brilliantly dealt with by Rogers.

But with Sons showing some threat to get back into the match, the third goal came on 53 minutes.

A break upfield ended with Boyd playing in Clark for a simple finish from 12 yards.

With the home side leading 3-0, the contest was pretty much over, with both teams going through the motions for a spell.

Then a disastrous moment for Sons came with 15 minutes left. Rogers missed a corner from the right and Turner’s attempt to clear only resulted in him putting through his own net.

Two minutes later much of Ibrox, including the tannoy man, thought it was 5-0 after Boyd headed home Arnold Peralta’s cross. The celebrations were eventually ended upon realising that the assistant referee had flagged for offside.

The fifth goal of the match was scored by a Rangers player, but counted for Dumbarton. With 10 minutes remaining Archie Campbell sent over a cross which was deflected away from the keeper and into the net by Mohsni’s head.

Rangers almost restored their four-goal cushion but another excellent save by Rogers denied Dean Shiels from a header.

The rest of the contest meandered along, via a Boyd shot which went over Rogers but trundled clear of the post.

In the end, Sons’ first visit to Ibrox for 20 years finished with the same scoreline as the previous one, in January 1994.

After Tuesday’s trip to Easter Road, they are at home to Livingston, from whom they took seven points last season.

That form must be rediscovered. Sons may have lost some personnel from last season, but are better than they have shown so far.

Rangers: Simonsen; Mohsni, Wallace, McCulloch, Law (Black 77), MacLeod (Shiels 73), Templeton (Peralta 73), Clark, Boyd, McGregor, Zaliukas. Subs: Kelly; Smith, Faure, Crawford. Booked: Mohsni.

Dumbarton: Rogers; Van Zanten, Linton, Graham, Mair (Agnew 46), Turner (Murray 80), Gilhaney, Nish, Kirkpatrick (Megginson 72), Taggart, Campbell. Subs: Ewings; Fleming, Prunty, McDougall. Booked: Megginson.

Referee: Brian Colvin.

Crowd: 31,175.

Editorial

PLAY the game. Not the occasion.

Stick those six words into Google and you’ll find a list of top managers and personalities who’ve used them going into crucial games.

The first one is Rio Ferdinand describing Sir Alex Ferguson’s preparation for Manchester United’s 2011 FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City.

It’s followed by Stan Collymore on Liverpool’s game against City towards the end of last season, a crucial fixture in the title race.

The uses of those two three-word sentences had mixed results. United lost the semi-final while Liverpool beat City…although we all know what happened next.

So remembering to play the game, and not the occasion, isn’t the fail-safe formula for victory for Dumbarton as they travel to play Rangers tomorrow.

But it’ll make a big difference to their chances.

The Ibrox clash is the first of this season’s ’12 league fixtures you thought you’d never see Dumbarton play again’. Six years ago, while Sons were Scotland’s third lowest-ranked team, Rangers were in the UEFA Cup final.

Now the two teams are meeting in the same league division. And it’s the last four words of that sentence which are so important.

This is a fixture which, for Sons, is against a team from an identical level to them. It’s not a cup tie, the opportunity of which comes round once in a blue moon.

They’re in the same division as their opponents on total merit. They have EVERY bit as much right to be out there on the Ibrox pitch tomorrow, battling to get a result, as their opponents do.

The fixture will be played in front of a far bigger crowd than Sons are used to, and for some of the squad, it will inevitably be a trip to play their boyhood team.

However, tomorrow’s trip to Govan isn’t about being able to tell future generations you played at Ibrox. It’s about trying to win a football match.

Go to Ibrox to be tourists tomorrow and Dumbarton will lose – guaranteed.

Go there recognising that they’re entitled to compete in the game and there’s every chance they’ll still be beaten – but they’ll be in the contest.

Now in NO way is that to say not to enjoy the occasion tomorrow. Of course it should be relished.

It’s been pointed out in the last 24 hours that the match could see the biggest crowd ever to watch Sons in a competitive match.

And any victory over either of the Old Firm is one savoured by fans of clubs like Dumbarton, should it come to pass.

It doesn’t come easily, though. And it NEVER comes without recognition of the opportunity.

Tomorrow, Dumbarton will be the team with the spotlight firmly off them. Let’s face it, they’re not fancied by many outside of their home area to win.

In fact, if there is a winning goal for Sons tomorrow, whoever scores it could probably walk down Sauchiehall Street in civvies midway through next week and get precious little recognition.

But underdogs? No way. Dumbarton and Rangers are from the same league division. Equal league stature.

It could be something very, very special.

Enjoy it. Just the same as you enjoyed Aberdeen last season.

The difference, though? Pittodrie was against a team from a division higher. This time it’s against a team from the same league.

And it’s a fixture Dumbarton have every right to compete in, and try to win.

 

History repeating?

FOR Bryan Prunty, the first piece of the jigsaw may already be in place.

Almost 10 years ago, in March 2005, he walked out of Ibrox having scored the injury time goal that gave Inverness CT a 1-1 draw against Rangers.

Barry Ferguson had scored the opening goal for the home side, his first since returning to Govan the previous month.

But with the game drawing to a close, the ball deflected off Gregory Vignal and fell for Bryan 12 yards from goal. One stroke of his boot later, 45,000 home fans were silenced.

This week Ferguson was back at Ibrox again for the first time since his second departure – this time as manager of the Clyde team beaten 8-1.

And when Bryan goes back to Rangers’ home ground on Saturday for the first time since the day he was an Inverness hero, he hopes that’s part of history repeating itself.

He’ll be part of the Dumbarton squad aiming to flatten the Gers’ celebrations at Monday’s thumping victory.

Sons have something to prove after two defeats to start the league season – and Bryan reckons that Saturday’s match gives them the perfect platform.

After all, he personally is unbeaten at Ibrox.

Bryan said: “It’s still a game I remember. It was Inverness’ first-ever point at Ibrox and I was lucky enough to go on as a substitute and equalise.

“A lot of football has been played since that day and we are coming off the back of a couple of disappointing displays and results. It’s going to be hard but we are looking forward to it.

“From a personal point of view I didn’t think I would get the chance to play there again.

“I think the game I scored in is the only first-team match I’ve played there, but I went there with Celtic for a youth match.

“So at first-team level, I’ve never lost there!

“To play there with Dumbarton is going to be brilliant and I just hope we can seize the moment and come away with a result against the odds.

“In many ways Rangers were pretty fortunate against Falkirk when they beat them 2-0 last week.

“But scoring eight against Clyde on Monday will make them more determined to get a result against us.

“From our point of view, we shouldn’t lose 4-0 at home to anybody, as we did to Queen of the South on Saturday.

“However, both our games have been against full-time teams and this year’s league was always going to be difficult.

“It’s still early and there’s plenty time to catch up.”

On Saturday Bryan will have something that quite a few of his team-mates don’t – experience of playing in the Ibrox atmosphere.

But his advice to his colleagues is quite simple – remember it’s just a game of football.

He added: “You’ve got to be excited, but nervous as well. If you have no nerves playing in front of 45,000 there’s something wrong.

“Rangers are in our league for a reason, as are Hearts and Hibernian. We know what this league takes and hope we can catch them off guard.

“Teams are going to drop points as the season progresses and we will pick up points.

“We’re moving back into Toryglen Football Centre this week and that will give us an excellent chance to prepare for the match.

“These occasions don’t come along often. It’s up to us to make the most of it.”

Dumbarton 0 Queen of the South 4

THE worst thing anyone at Dumbarton can do is let this defeat weigh on their mind.

The second worst? Produce a repeat – at any stage of the season.

There are two things that seem almost customary these days – that Sons will start a season slowly and that they will struggle against Queen of the South at home.

Combining both on Saturday was a recipe for disaster as the Dumfries outfit ran in four goals, ALL of which were as a result of an unnecessary mistake by Sons.

Derek Lyle started Queens’ easy success in the first half, with Gavin Reilly and James Fowler adding further goals. Just when Dumbarton thought they had escaped Iain Russell’s customary strike, he got it to complete the rout.

And if 4-0 was flattering to one team, it was Sons. Had the Doonhamers run in at least two more goals on their sixth consecutive victory in G82, there could have been little cause for complaint.

Dumbarton players later took to Twitter to express their disappointment at the performance. That’s all very well, and worthy of respect, but it couldn’t right the wrongs that took place on the pitch.

One of these days, Dumbarton will start a season well. You could argue they were OK at the beginning of the last campaign – they just couldn’t win consistently.

You could also say that the first half against Stranraer is the only competitive occasion so far this season when they have looked convincing.

It needs to be better. Simple as that.

Neither side had made any significant impression before Queens took the lead on 20 minutes. A slack backward pass was intercepted by Reilly and he crossed to give Lyle an easy low finish.

Three minutes later Chris Higgins’ effort was headed off the line by Scott Agnew.

Sons had a strong wind advantage in the first half but it took them until five minutes from half time to make any use of it.

Even then, that was an inadvertent close call when Archie Campbell’s cross bent towards goal but went just past. Soon after, Agnew had a low 30-yard drive saved.

Within five minutes of the restart, and getting that wind advantage themselves, Queens showed Sons how to attack with the elements.

The two players involved in the first goal swapped roles as following another interception, Lyle sent over a high ball which Reilly headed home.

He could have had his second on the hour mark but shot wide of a gaping goal from six yards.

Shortly after that Jordan Kirkpatrick was close to a goal back after latching on to Mark Gilhaney’s assist, but his finish missed the target.

And on 68 minutes, there was more self-inflicted damage.

The ball was again needlessly given away in midfield, with Fowler collecting 30 yards from goal and thrashing home a shot.

That was followed by David Van Zanten performing Sons’ second goal-line clearance of the day, denying Reilly at close range.

But 12 minutes from full time, Russell intercepted another poor clearance and ran in to slide home his obligatory goal.

Danny Carmichael shot wide from close range, Lewis Kidd was denied by a last-ditch tackle from Scott Linton. That’s all that really needs said about the closing stages.

Basically, Sons’ goal resembled a shooting gallery with Queens having the wind advantage. Exactly what should have happened when the hosts attacked with the wind in the first half.

They ended up with their heaviest defeat under Ian Murray’s management, apart from the defeat by the same scoreline at Dunfermline immediately after he took charge, when he watched from the stand.

They have the perfect platform to provide a response, in the form of Saturday’s trip to play Rangers at Ibrox.

The tweeting players know that the response is needed. It’s awaited.

Dumbarton: Rogers; Van Zanten, Linton, Graham, Mair, Turner, Agnew (Gilhaney 57), Nish (Prunty 76), Megginson, Kirkpatrick, Campbell (Fleming 57). Subs: Grindlay; Taggart, Murray, McDougall. Booked: Graham.

Queen of the South: Clark; Holt, Dowie, Durnan, Higgins, Reilly (Baird 78), Russell, Carmichael (Kidd 81), McShane, Lyle (Dzierzawski 75), Fowler. Subs: Atkinson; Slattery, Hooper, Smith.

Referee: Don Robertson.

Crowd: 958.

Twenty-two years to make up for

GARRY Fleming was four years old the last time Dumbarton beat Queen of the South at home.

But he insists that records are made to be broken.

And the striker hopes to help Sons record their first home win against the Dumfries side in more than 22 years.

Disneyland Paris was yet to open the last time Queens lost in G82 – a 3-1 win for Dumbarton on Saturday, February 1, 1992 to be precise.

Sons then won 2-1 at Palmerston Park the following month, on the way to clinching the Second Division title.

Since that day, Garry and team-mate Chris Turner are the only players to score for Dumbarton in a competitive victory over Queens.

They did so in September last year, when the 2-1 scoreline was repeated at Palmerston in the sides’ first meeting of the season.

Now, after last week’s 3-1 defeat to Raith Rovers, Garry is aiming for Sons to start the series against Queens by beating them again.

He said: “I’m confident about the game and feel we have the players to win it.

“We don’t have a good record against Queens but that will give us a bit extra. We’re due to beat them and if we can take our chances that will give us encouragement.

“When we beat them last season we took our chances and that was what got us the win.

“We made chances in the two home games as well but they punished us for not scoring. Hopefully we can change that tomorrow.

“Last week against Raith Rovers I thought we played brilliantly in the first half. We just couldn’t get ourselves in front.

“Getting the goal helped settle everything down for Raith and after scoring the free kick, they caught us on the break to seal the game.

“Tomorrow, the middle of the park will be interesting. Both teams have players who look to create chances.

“They have some big players in their team but so do we and we’re confident we can deal with them.”

Tomorrow’s game is also the Sons squad’s last chance to make an impression on manager Ian Murray’s plans for next Saturday’s match against Rangers.

And Garry hopes that the prospect of a game in front of 45,000 fans at Ibrox can be a motivation to his team-mates.

With Hibernian also ahead in the League Cup, and an imminent league visit from Hearts to the Rock, Sons are facing a tough schedule.

Garry added: “We want to play well so we can put ourselves in contention for next week.

“With the size and ability of squad we have, everyone is fighting for places.

“It’s tough to stay in the starting 11 but if we win tomorrow then that will give us a chance.

“You go into every game looking to win and three points tomorrow will give us a bit of momentum going into the trip to Ibrox.”

Footnote: Tomorrow is Queen of the South’s eighth visit to Dumbarton since their last defeat there in February 1992. They drew on both visits to Boghead Park during Sons’ ‘Forthbank season’ of 1994/95, and have won all of their last five visits. Sons’ only goal in those five defeats has been an own goal by Queens’ George Rowe.

However, the Doonhamers did lose a friendly at the Rock 1-0 in July 2003 and, as above, records are made to be broken.

Forthbank season – twenty years on

IN the days before the M74 extension became a reality, it was 97 long miles.

The distance between Dumfries and Dumbarton probably felt like even more to Sons fans at around 5pm on Saturday, August 13, 1994. It was the club’s first competitive fixture since the 1993/94 campaign ended in relegation, which only manifested itself because of league reconstruction.

Five teams were to suffer demotion from the First Division as a result of the change of Scottish league setup to four divisions of 10. Above Brechin City, Morton, Clyde and Stirling Albion, Dumbarton were the highest-ranked of the quintet who took the plunge. It may sound unlucky but Sons’ fate was confirmed with three games to spare at, of all places, Clydebank. A 2-0 defeat at New Kilbowie Park meant that Sons could no longer catch up with Ayr United, who ended up finishing six points ahead of them in the final standings.

The August trip to Dumfries was chapter one of a 36-game story which would see Murdo MacLeod’s men attempt to bounce back to the second tier at the first time of asking. Although away from home, it wasn’t thought to be the toughest task to start with, as Queens had been mainstays of the Second Division for some time. But the 4-1 defeat which was handed down gave only an impression that a long, hard season was in store. A Martin Mooney goal was all that was on show at Palmerston Park to offer any hope that Sons were on their way back up.

They knew before a ball was kicked how strong the competition would be. The four teams relegated with them would all share their aspirations of getting back to the First Division. Queen of the South’s four-goal haul gave a strong impression that they would be a force to be reckoned with.

Throw in Berwick Rangers, Stenhousemuir and Meadowbank Thistle. Had two teams been promoted at the end of the 1993/94 season, all three would have finished it in the throes of a titanic battle for second spot behind champions Stranraer. Instead, because of the league reconstruction, only the Stair Park men went up. Berwick, Stenny and Meadowbank all had another chance at winning promotion in 1994/95.

Add East Fife, a side who themselves had been through more than one close call at winning promotion in recent years, and you had a strong line-up. One which Dumbarton had to overcome to return to the First Division.

Little did any supporter making the dispirited journey north from Dumfries know that they had just witnessed the start of what is still referred to as ‘Forthbank season’. The same minimal amount was probably known by MacLeod and his players on their bus journey home.

No-one knew that the heavy defeat at Palmerston was the first instalment of a campaign which continues to be revered by any player, official or supporter who was around the club at the time.

It didn’t take off straight away. Another four-goal concession followed three nights later, although this time it was in more understandable circumstances, at home to Hearts in the League Cup first round. The Jambos’ goals were scored by John Robertson, John Millar and Allan Johnston (twice) – a clear sign of how formidable a task Sons faced as they went down 4-0.

However, the Second Division campaign was slow to get going. Of the first five league fixtures, only one ended in victory, and that was with the assistance of an injury time winner at home to Morton. By the time the sixth league match came around, at home to Clyde, Dumbarton had some catching up to do.

From there, they embarked on a journey that contained frustrating episode upon ground-out victory upon storming, goal-laden performance. And it all ended with an afternoon at Stirling which was straight out of any sporting drama.

Twenty years on from that defeat at Dumfries, here Dumbarton are again. Twenty years. The same length of time as the subject of Deacon Blue’s song ‘Dignity’ had been “a worker for the council”.

The league season has already started, again with a disappointing reverse away to a team in blue and white. No-one is pretending that Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Raith Rovers is the start of another promotion-winning campaign. All that most people aspire to is to stay in the Championship.

However, as Queen of the South again lie in wait, at the Rock this Saturday, it can be guaranteed that there’ll be episodes fit to match those of the 1994/95 term. A season when legends were made, or some consolidated such a position, at Dumbarton.

You can spend this season re-living every fixture of ‘Forthbank season’ in the club’s matchday programme, Sons View. And there’ll be more on The Dumbarton Terrace as the campaign progresses.

Danny’s big chance

VISITS to Ibrox, Tynecastle and Easter Road have become the norm for Aberdeen players over the years.

But there’s only one member of the Pittodrie squad who can look forward to them this season.

And he’s on loan at Dumbarton.

Danny Rogers is tipped to be the next owner of the Dons’ number one jersey, with an initial six-month loan spell at Sons hoped to boost his chances.

The 20-year-old was on trial with Dumbarton during pre-season before signing on loan in time for the recent 1-0 League Cup victory at Brechin.

Despite Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Raith Rovers, the Irishman is confident he can help Sons enjoy a fine season.

That includes some huge exposure in front of the TV cameras, with games against Rangers and Hibernian to come in August, and Hearts also in opposition.

Danny told The Dumbarton Terrace: “It was a no-brainer to come to Dumbarton. The chance to play in this season’s Championship was a huge selling point.

“I’ll get the chance to play in front of huge crowds in some big games.

“It wasn’t so long ago that I was watching Sky Sports News and kept seeing Kris Boyd’s name coming up as having scored.

“Now I’m going to be playing against him – I just hope I can keep him out.

“Last season I was on loan at Airdrie in League One, so I was happy to find out I was going to play a division higher this time around.

“I didn’t have a lot to do on my competitive debut at Brechin but what I did, I did well. I kept a clean sheet in my first game so I was quite happy.

“We played well against Raith in the first half but then they got the break of the ball and scored, and that changed the game.

“We need to move on from that and I think we have a good chance against Queen of the South this Saturday.

“They started their season with a 2-0 win over Alloa but we have a tough run coming up, with Rangers at Ibrox and then Hibs in the League Cup.

“You could say it’s a must-win game already. We need to play as we did in the first half against Raith.”

Danny’s settling-in process has been speeded up by the presence at Dumbarton of striker Mitch Megginson – his former youth team-mate at Pittodrie.

And the keeper has already been impressed by what he’s seen of his new colleagues at Sons.

On his return to Pittodrie, Danny will continue working with former Scotland keeper Jim Leighton – and he feels his development is in very capable hands.

He added: “I’ve known Mitch since our days at Aberdeen and I am even staying at his house before matches.

“We have a really good squad at Dumbarton and have the players to cause a few shock results this season.

“Personally all I am lacking is a bit of experience but I’ll certainly get that in the Championship this season.

“Jim is a great guy to work with. He comes to my games and we get on like a house on fire.

“He’s had a lot of experience in the game and hopefully that will help me out. I couldn’t ask any more from him.”

Raith Rovers 3 Dumbarton 1

FROM a distance, the socks of Dumbarton’s new away kit were almost invisible.

And, by almost 5pm on Saturday, a first victory on the league’s opening day since 2007 was also well out of sight.

Sons spent long spells of this game trying to walk the ball into the net and score the perfect goal.

Raith Rovers showed there’s more to be said for simply putting it away by any means necessary as they were 3-1 winners.

Not that it was always easy for the Kirkcaldy side. This game was there for the winning by Sons at half time, having forced several chances in the opening 45 minutes.

But as soon as Paul Watson opened the scoring for Raith, the game changed. The visitors weren’t the same team and were punished by further goals from Dumbarton man Ryan Conroy and Christian Nade.

Scott Agnew did pull an injury time goal back but Dumbarton’s horse had so long bolted it was almost on the A92.

Sons’ first half efforts deserved more than they got. But what they ended up with was a lesson for the remaining 35 league fixtures.

The time for scoring world-class goals was in Brazil over the summer. Now it’s back to Scottish lower league fare.

And if every goal is as scrappy as the one scored by Andy Graham to win the League Cup tie at Brechin – fine. Just get the ball over the line, between the posts and under the bar.

The match was slow to get going before a flurry of chances around the 20-minute mark. Archie Campbell’s volley from the edge of the area was saved while keeper Danny Rogers did well to keep out Conroy’s low shot.

Soon after that, Agnew got a sight of goal after Colin Nish flicked on Lee Mair’s through ball, but the midfielder shot over.

Further opportunities fell to Jordan Kirkpatrick, and then Campbell again, but the keeper saved both efforts.

Then Sons should have gone in at half time ahead. Campbell played a low ball across goal which beat the keeper but just missed the vital touch from Nish, almost on the goal line.

The warning signs were there, early in the second half, that Sons had missed their chance. Only a clearance by Mair denied Nade, who then played a low ball across which Martin Scott just missed.

In between those chances for Raith, Campbell lobbed the ball into the net but was denied by an offside flag – a decision which looked 50/50 from the Railway Stand.

But on 57 minutes the hosts were ahead, with a throw-in causing a scramble in Sons’ area and Watson slamming home the loose ball.

The game got scrappy again, but after a 15-minute spell, the visitors were getting forward again. Kirkpatrick spun round a defender inside the area only for a second opponent to block at close range, while a 20-yard drive from Agnew just missed the post.

However, Raith then got on top of the game, with Rogers saving in quick succession from Nade and then Mark Stewart.

There was nothing he could do, though, with 11 minutes to go as Conroy lined up a free kick 20 yards out. The midfielder bent the ball over the wall and into the net.

Immediately, Bryan Prunty was thrown on by Sons in an effort to salvage a draw. With eight minutes to go, any hope of that was lost.

Nade outpaced the defence and ran in to apply a low finish to make it 3-0.

As tough as it would have been on Sons, there were more goals in it for Raith. Conroy missed with a close range header while Scott was also off target with an angled shot.

In a late rally, Sons almost had Prunty’s obligatory overhead kick goal after one game of the season, but his effort was wide.

However, some pride was salvaged after two added minutes when Agnew got the break of the ball inside the area and made no mistake.

Had Dumbarton put the ball away earlier in the match, things might have been different.

Lesson learned, ahead of the season’s first home game against Queen of the South – Iain Russell and all – next Saturday.

And those socks…seriously?

Raith Rovers: Cuthbert; Thomson, Perry, Watson, Fox (Callachan 90), Anderson (Moon 80), Elliot (Stewart 9), Scott, Conroy, McKeown, Nade. Subs: Laidlaw; Vaughan, Ellis, Matthews.

Dumbarton: Rogers; Van Zanten (Prunty 80), Linton, Graham, Mair, Turner, Agnew, Nish, Megginson (Gilhaney 66), Kirkpatrick, Campbell (Fleming 75). Subs: Grindlay; Taggart, McDougall, Murray.

Referee: John Beaton.

Crowd: 1,642.