Stenhousemuir welcome Dumbarton to Ochilview for the first time in almost 4 years as The Warriors look to get their League campaign back on track.
It’s not been the best of starts for Swift’s side as we’ve taken two defeats out of three games.
Dumbarton, on the other hand, are flying high at the top of the league with a 100% win rate, a record that Stephen Swift will want to end following last week’s poor result at Stirling.
“We’ll be well prepared, definitely. The analysis boys have been working hard and been key in how we’re looking to set up.
“We’ve said to the boys all week that it’s alright talking about doing all these things and preparation being good, but I’ve felt that, on Saturday, we really let ourselves down and didn’t do the basics right.
“So, the first thing that we need to do is get the basics right and make sure that w’re combative against a team that’s obviously flying high and got 9 points.”
The squad are under no illusions on how difficult Saturday’s fixture will be.
“They’re obviously coming here with their tails up, which is fully expected. Looking at the videos, they’re really organised and they’ve got pace up front with Kalvin Orsi, Ally love and Declan Byrne who’s scored 4 goals in 7 games so far.
“So, really flying high, but, we know that we’ve not been anywhere near the standards that we’ve set. The players know that, we’ve had a good chat and good heart to heart midweek and players know that the last couple games have been anywhere near the standards we’ve set. So, the difficult thing is for me to pick a team and hopefully we get it right.”
Preparation is key to a match like this and we got glimpse into how training has been this week.
“Like I said, we had a heart to heart on Tuesday night with the boys and they were responsive. We had a good night on Tuesday and we’ve done a lot of tactical work tonight [Thursday]. So hopefully they take the tactical work that we’ve done and move that into Saturday. Also hope they can take the tips that we’ve given them and implement them going into Saturday’s game.”
Swifty almost has a full squad to choose from. All players trained this week but Dan Higgins will be missing through suspension.
Dumbarton FC images courtesy of Andy Scott Photos.
MATCHDAY INFORMATION
Kick-off: 3pm
Match Entry: Both home and away fans can enter via pay at the gate [cash] or you can purchase your ticket in advance by using Fanbase. Adult admission costing £14, concessions £9 and under 16’s just £5.
Live Stream: Our live streaming service has ceased under League rules.
Getting Here: Click here for details of how to get to Ochilview by car or train.
Season Card Holders: Season Tickets are valid for this match, the Season Ticket number will be displayed at the turnstiles.
The Pie Hut: Food and drinks will be available to be purchased once again from the Pie Hut.
The Wee Bar: The Wee Bar is open from 12pm with all fans welcome.
Ochilview Matchday Guide:You can read our Matchday Guide here and ensure that you have everything that you need for your visit to the ground.
Referee: Gavin Duncan
Assistants: Graham McNeillie & Nathan Clac-Mansfield
OPPOSITION INFORMATION
Full name Dumbarton Football Club
Nickname(s) The Sons
Founded 23 December 1872; 149 years ago
Ground Dumbarton Football Stadium, Dumbarton
Capacity 2,020
Owner Cognitive Capital
Chairman Dr Neil Mackay
Manager Stephen Farrell
2021–22 Scottish League One, 9th of 10 (relegated via play-offs)
Last 10 Matches
| Date | Venue | Competition | Opponent | Result | Score |
| 13/8/22 | Home | League Two | Annan Athletic | W | 4-0 |
| 6/8/22 | Away | League Two | Albion Rovers | W | 2-1 |
| 30/7/22 | Home | League Two | Stirling Albion | W | 2-0 |
| 19/7/22 | Home | League Cup | Raith Rovers | D | 0-0 |
| 16/7/22 | Away | League Cup | Peterhead | W | 2-0 |
| 13/7/22 | Away | League Cup | Aberdeen | L | 2-0 |
| 9/7/22 | Home | League Cup | Stirling Albion | L | 1-2 |
| 7/5/22 | Home | League One Playoffs | Edinburgh City | D | 1-1 |
| 3/5/22 | Away | League One Playoffs | Edinburgh City | L | 1-4 |
| 30/4/22 | Home | League One | Clyde | W | 2-1 |
Top Scorers
| Name | Goals | Assists | Played | Goals per 90 | MPG | Total Shots | Shot Accuracy |
| Declan Byrne | 4 | 0 | 7 | 0.93 | 97 | 5 | 80% |
| Findlay Gray | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0.48 | 187 | 6 | 83% |
| Gregor Buchanan | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0.29 | 315 | 5 | 60% |
| Ross MacLean | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0.32 | 278 | 3 | 67% |
| Ryan Wallace | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0.31 | 292 | 3 | 33% |
| Stuart Carswell | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0.14 | 630 | 3 | 33% |
FIXTURE INFORMATION
Last 10 Meetings
| Date | Venue | Competition | Result | Score |
| 13/7/21 | Away | Premier Sports Cup | W | 2-1 |
| 30/3/19 | Away | League One | W | 2-1 |
| 29/12/18 | Home | League One | D | 2-2 |
| 10/11/18 | Away | League One | L | 1-2 |
| 1/9/18 | Home | League One | W | 2-1 |
| 14/4/12 | Away | League Two | W | 2-0 |
| 28/2/12 | Away | League Two | L | 0-3 |
| 11/2/12 | Home | League Two | L | 1-2 |
| 15/10/11 | Home | League Two | W | 3-1 |
| 29/3/11 | Home | League Two | D | 2-2 |
Head to Head
| Total | Won | Drawn | Lost | Scored | Conceded | |
| Home | 77 | 37 | 17 | 23 | 155 | 106 |
| Away | 81 | 24 | 13 | 44 | 102 | 170 |
| Total | 158 | 61 | 30 | 67 | 257 | 276 |
ON THIS DAY – 20th AUGUST
| Year | Opponent | Competition | Venue | Result | Score |
| 2016 | Livingston | League One | Away | L | 1-4 |
| 2013 | Peterhead | Challenge Cup | Away | W | 3-1 |
| 2011 | Forfar Athletic | Division Two | Away | W | 3-2 |
| 2005 | Albion Rovers | Division Three | Away | W | 2-0 |
| 1994 | East Fife | Division Two | Home | D | 1-1 |
| 1988 | Dumbarton | Division Two | Home | W | 3-1 |
| 1986 | Rangers | League Cup | Home | L | 1-4 |
| 1983 | Albion Rovers | Division Two | Away | W | 2-1 |
| 1977 | Clyde | Division Two | Away | L | 0-3 |
| 1975 | Albion Rovers | League Cup | Away | W | 1-0 |
| 1966 | Forfar Athletic | League Cup | Home | L | 1-3 |
| 1963 | Forfar Athletic | Division Two | Home | W | 4-2 |
| 1960 | Dundee United | League Cup | Away | D | 3-3 |
| 1958 | Queens Park | Division Two | Away | L | 1-2 |
| 1955 | Third Lanark | League Cup | Home | D | 1-1 |
| 1949 | Hamilton Academical | League Cup | Away | D | 0-0 |
| 1938 | East Fife | Division Two | Home | D | 2-2 |
| 1932 | Dundee United | Division Two | Away | L | 1-2 |
| 1927 | Forfar Athletic | Division Two | Away | L | 1-3 |
| 1921 | Alloa Athletic | Division Two | Away | L | 0-1 |
| Total | Won | Drawn | Lost | |
| Home | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| Away | 13 | 6 | 2 | 5 |
| Total | 20 | 8 | 5 | 7 |
LEAGUE INFORMATION
Fixtures
Annan Athletic vs Stirling Albion
Bonnyrigg Rose vs Albion Rovers
East Fife vs Forfar Athletic
Elgin City vs Stranraer
Stenhousemuir vs Dumbarton
Table
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | League Form | |
| 1 | Dumbarton | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 7 | 9 | WWW |
| 2 | Bonnyrigg Rose | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 7 | WWD |
| 3 | East Fife | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 6 | WLW |
| 4 | Stirling Albion | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 6 | LDW |
| 5 | Forfar Athletic | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 4 | LWD |
| 6 | Stranraer | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 4 | WLD |
| 7 | Stenhousemuir | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | -3 | 3 | WLL |
| 8 | Annan Athletic | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 6 | -4 | 3 | LWL |
| 9 | Elgin City | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 7 | -2 | 2 | LDD |
| 10 | Albion Rovers | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | -3 | 0 | LLL |
