Tonight might just be the biggest game between Dumbarton and Stirling Albion since the last day of the 1994/95 season - the Sons won 2-0 at Forthbank to clinch promotion to Division One when the Binos needed only a draw to go up.
There is still a quarter of the current campaign remaining but this evening's contest could clearly have a big bearing on the destiny of the cinch League 2 title. Stevie Farrell's side hold a five-point advantage at the summit but Stirling have two games in hand - at home to Forfar Athletic (March 21) and Elgin City (April 4). A home win would put Dumbarton in a very strong position while Darren Young's side will feel the momentum is with them if they emerge with the victory.
This fixture was due to be played on January 7 but was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch and is the first of two meetings between the teams this month - they go head to head again at Forthbank on Saturday March 25.
Nobody was too sure what to expect from Dumbarton following their relegation via the play-offs last May but they made a flying start, reeling off seven straight wins. They were 2-0 up against Stirling after five minutes of the opener and didn’t lose until September 20 at Stranraer.
That led to a dip in form that included a 6-0 thrashing at Forthbank and Stirling went top with a 3-1 win at Stenhousemuir on October 15. The Sons’ response was impressive – they soon regained pole position and were unbeaten until losing at a resurgent Forfar in the middle of January.
A first home defeat of the season – to Elgin last month – was a blow but Dumbarton defeated Stenhousemuir 1-0 a few days later and were 2-0 winners at Stranraer on Saturday. Those clean sheets have been key to their success, with 13 shut-outs compared to just four for Albion although the total goals conceded are very similar (27 Stirling, 24 Dumbarton).
Goalkeeper Brett Long has been a key man while Aron Lynas, Stuart Carswell, Gregor Buchanan and Martin McNiff have also been stalwarts. Dumbarton have lacked a prolific goalscorer – Declan Byrne and Ally Love have five goals each – but it hasn’t done them too much harm. They have shared the goals around and are a strong and effective unit. They have proved very difficult to overcome, particularly if they score first.
Stirling have been stuck in League 2 since being relegated in 2014/15 and have only finished in the top four once in that period. Even then, they were soundly beaten by Peterhead in the play-off semi-finals and it has been underachievement for the best part of a decade.
The fans are hoping this could finally be their year. Their team have played some excellent football and Dale Carrick has scored 19 goals across all competitions while putting in a power of work. Dundee United winger Kai Fotheringham was outstanding in his loan spell and it was an undoubted blow when he was unexpectedly recalled just before the window closed on January 31.
Stirling had to dig deep to beat Albion Rovers 3-2 on Saturday after taking an early lead through Danny Denholm’s stunning volley. They were excellent at Forfar the previous week but had to settle for a 0-0 draw. Young’s men recently recovered from two goals down with 10 men to draw 2-2 at Annan and are unbeaten in eight matches – there is both spirit and ability in this squad.
Skipper Paul McLean got the winner at the weekend and is an experienced head at the back while fellow defender Ross McGeachie would love to help the team win promotion in his testimonial year. Midfielder Kyle Banner and striker Robert Thomson have also been regular starters while it will be interesting to see if Blair Currie gets the nod tonight. He was free from suspension at the weekend but on-loan Bonnyrigg keeper Mark Weir kept his place after a shut-out at Forfar.
Albion tend to have good options from the bench – Jack Leitch, Aaron Dunsmore, Cammy Clark and Jordan McGregor could easily all have started on Saturday. Recent signing Greig Spence has offered an additional attacking option and grabbed a vital last-minute winner at Bonnyrigg three weeks ago.
There is still a lot of football to be played but the winning team tonight – if there is one – will be feeling very good about themselves going into the weekend, when Stirling Albion host Bonnyrigg Rose and Dumbarton welcome Forfar to town.
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