Published: Tuesday, 19th June, 2007 09:40
SONS FACE TOUGH TEST NEXT SEASON
By GARE CLYDE
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DUMBARTON will face two new opposition teams in the new season with Forfar Athletic and Stranraer dropping down from the second division.
It is always thought, but not always accurately, that teams which descend will ascend back from whence they came the following season.
FORFAR did not only lose their second division status but also lost a number of influencial players, allowed to leave the club for financial reasons.
By tradition they are a hard team to beat in any division, and I feel that the Loons will make their presence felt next season.
Whatever new recruits are brought to Stairs Park, STRANRAER, by manager Gerry Britton this close season will determine the fate of the Wigtonshire club next term.
They lost out in last season’s play-offs but, again, they are a club who characteristically bounce back and few of their league companions will relish a trip down to one of the last outposts of Scottish football. They could prove vigorous campaigners.
ARBROATH, surprisingly, lost goalkeeper Mark Peat, ex-Son Ian Dobbins and left flank man Jay Stein to near neighbours Montrose.
But the Red Lichties, regrouped by manager John McGlashan, will be in the frame as elevation favourites. They nearly made it with their last shot last term, but were beaten in the play-offs,
MONTROSE look like doing much better because of their new players from Arbroath. Their raid could prove significant, but they are still dark horses.
The Gable Endies promised much last season and did not not deliver, and they will be hoping that their next raids will be on opposition teams for league points. They are ones to watch, but the jury is out.
ELGIN CITY? Well the only way for them is up. They finished second bottom of the league last season following a wee late flurry. Let us wait and see if they are City slickers or slackers.
EAST STIRLINGSHIRE, who will play at Stenhousemuir in ground sharing this season, finished bottom of the league again last season.
It is difficult to see them improve much on that, but they could take precious points if other teams take them too lightly.
EAST FIFE, under Dave Baikie, will be anticipated front runners if they can maintain last season’s form when they were eliminated in the play-offs.
STENHOUSEMUIR boss Campbell Money has expressed excitement about his new team.
You would be tenpted to call it ‘Little Dumbarton’ with former Sons John Dillon, Jamie Smith, Craig McEwan, John Hillcoat and Steven Ferguson on board the Warriors ship.
Stenny have made big changes and the big question is - will they gell? The proof will be in the pudding at Ochilview Park next term.
ALBION ROVERS, under new boss John ‘Cowboy’ McCormack, assisted by ex-Sons gaffer Paul Martin, are the dark horses in the division.
They have lost David McFarlane to Sons and Scott Chaplain and Gordon Lennon to Partick Thistle The jury is also out on the wee Rovers at present.
DUMBARTON are still to be assessed once all prospective new signings, now in the pipeline I belleve, surface and are recognised.
But I would be very surprised if they, and their new men, are not part of the promotion race.
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