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WELL…are they ready for the new season or not?
Which Dumbarton side is going to turn up for the big league kick-off next week? The one which rolled Morton over, or this one?
The side which did have enough chances to see off East Fife, but weren’t as ruthless and clinical as they were at Cappielow? Right down to the penalty shootout when they were at matchpoint twice, only to still lose?
Sons were already close to being victims of a cup shock when Nathan Austin put the Fifers ahead, but Kevin Cawley’s equaliser forced extra time.
With no goals scored in the added half hour, it was down to penalties, the first three of which were converted by Scott Taggart, Grant Gallagher and Andy Graham.
Allan Walker had already missed for East Fife and when Craig Sutherland did likewise, Steven Craig had the chance to win it on his debut.
It was all downhill from there. After Craig blasted over, Pat Slattery gave the hosts a lifeline. A conversion by Willie Gibson would still put Sons through, but his effort was saved.
There was then some sort of inevitability about Declan O’Kane scoring for the home side, and then Cawley’s kick being saved. What should have been a victory was instead a disappointment.
In the long term, this might not be the worst thing. For one, had Sons won, they’d have faced a schedule of Queen of the South on Saturday, round two against full-time opposition on Tuesday, and Falkirk on Friday. Tough for any part-time side.
However, on the day, it wasn’t what was projected by the fine victory at Cappielow. Too many passes were slack and a well-organised East Fife side – who look definite play-off material – were hard to break down.
Nothing changes in terms of enthusiasm for the league opener with Hibs this Saturday. But of the two competitive displays Sons have produced so far, only one can be reproduced if they are to have a chance of a result.
The first half was generally poor fare, with Sons having marginally the better of it, but creating only half chances. Garry Fleming’s effort was saved while Darren Barr was ready to finish as Jamie Lindsay played the ball across, but the keeper did just enough. He also kept out Lindsay and Fleming with later shots.
East Fife, though, were quick to start the second half and took only three minutes to open the scoring. Austin latched on to a long ball and, similarly to Fleming at Greenock, lifted the ball over the keeper and into the net with precision skill.
Within a minute he thought he had scored a second, even going as far as to celebrate, but the referee had already given a foul against him.
Another near miss by Fleming was all Sons could immediately respond with, but on 66 minutes Cawley headed them level, connecting with Calum Waters’ cross at the back post.
There still wasn’t much to excite the away support, with Kyle Wilkie twice going close to restoring the home side’s lead.
But with two minutes left Craig had the chance to avoid extra time after cutting into the area for the left, only for his bending shot to go over.
The additional half hour saw Dumbarton more dominant, with Gallagher and Cawley going close in the first period.
Then in the second, Gregor Buchanan went close with a six-yard shot which was saved, before it looked as if Sons had taken the lead on 112 minutes.
For the second week in a row, they had a goal disallowed for an alleged foul on the keeper, with Cawley bundling home in vain from a free kick.
So it was on to the penalties. It should have been seen through, but wasn’t. That, and the way Sons laboured for long spells, are matters gaffer Stevie Aitken will look to address this week.
But his team is still in one cup competition. The one which, if the draws are kind, they have a better chance of winning.
And let’s face it. Although cup ties are nice to win, the early ones are appetisers ahead of the big league kick-off.
Bring it on.
East Fife: Goodfellow; Mullen, Slattery, Page, Murray (Walker 66), Brown, Austin (Sutherland 109), Wilkie, O’Kane, McGregor (Naysmith 75), Mercer. Sub: Couser. Booked: Wilkie.
Dumbarton: Brown; Taggart, Buchanan, Cawley, Gallagher, Fleming (Craig 60), Gibson, Barr (Graham 104), Waters, Routledge, Lindsay (Kirkpatrick 81). Subs: Ewings; Docherty, Miller, Smith. Booked: Gallagher, Routledge, Gibson.
Referee: Steven Kirkland.
Crowd: 461.
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