Aitken: Cup win has given Sons their belief back
DUMBARTON return to earth tonight after the high of clinching a place in the Irn-Bru Cup Final for the first time.
And boss Stephen Aitken is hoping the return of five fresh players will help with a soft landing against Morton.
The Sons secured their berth in the showpiece against Inverness with a 2-1 comeback win over Welsh side The New Saints – and Aitken reckons an influx of fresh blood will help against the Cappielow side.
Aitken said: “Saturday was terrific and the result will help us in the Championship as it has restored confidence after a disappointing run.
“Going again so soon against Morton would not normally be ideal but the lift we have taken from winning – and in the manner we did by scoring two terrific goals – has made it a game that we welcome.”
“We have Liam Dick, Aidan Wilson, Andy Stirling and Kevin Nesbit available after being cup-tied and Mark Stewart is fit enough to start after a couple of months out.
“I have options and I need to get my team right as Morton are a very decent outfit.”
While a cup showpiece awaits the Sons have work to do as they bid to stay in the second tier.
Aitken added: “We are second bottom now, nine points behind Falkirk with three games in hand. It will be hard to recover that but winning this game would take us a step closer.”
Dumbarton will be without Sam Wardrop, Chris McLaughlin and Grant Gallagher while Dougie Hill is a major doubt.
Morton boss Jim Duffy reckons the lift the Sons got on Saturday will ensure there is no fatigue in their ranks despite the quick turnaround to this game.
He said: “To go to a side as good as TNS and come from a goal behind to win was quite simply an outstanding achievement.
“And the way they did it, with two fabulous goals, will mean that they are still flying high ahead of this game.
“They may not have fancied playing us tonight when they left on Saturday but when they came back up the road on Sunday they will have been all for it as they will be buzzing after such an important victory.
“Fortunes change in football quickly and that result will make the rest of Dumbarton’s season really interesting as they will take a huge lift from it.”
The Greenock side have the chance to move four points clear of Dunfermline in the play-off chase with Duffy hoping his men can maintain their play at a top level for 90 minutes.
He added: “We drew 1-1 at Queen of the South on Saturday in a game where we were only on top for 20 minutes.
“They were better for longer periods and Derek Gaston produced a couple of wonder saves as we hung in there to get a point – which wasn’t the worst result at a tough venue.”
The point however came at a cost as Jack Iredale, Thomas O’Ware and Scott Tiffoney are doubts for tonight with Jamie McGowan, Lee Kilday, Ross Forbes, Robert Thomson and Jai Quitongo all still out.