Match Preview
On Saturday afternoon Thistle were handed their first taste of pre-season action against Queen’s Park in conditions that belied a date in early July.
Conditions this evening should be much better as Thistle travel to face Second Division Dumbarton during the stage of pre-season preparation where games come at regular intervals.
It is a match that manager Ian McCall sees as being ideal preparation for the competitive action which begins against Clyde is just over a week and a half.
“After two and a half weeks of really hard work it is good to get the feel for the ball again. This will be a good game for the players as they build up their fitness and match sharpness. It’s good too to be playing this game at Dumbarton’s ground as the playing surface there is usually very good.”
“We will be taking all of the available first team squad down to this game but it will probably be a reasonably young team that we will field this evening. Ross McGeough and Ryan MacBeth are due to play in this game and I’m really looking forward to seeing them play tonight. Elsewhere Simon Donnelly is available and he will play alongside Liam Buchanan and Craig Hinchcliffe will get a chance in goal tonight.”
That means no place tonight for Bryn Halliwell who kept goal against Queen’s Park but as the manager reveals he is getting increasingly close to tying up the Englishman on a contract for the new season.
“I never like to say too much before a signature is on an actual contract but we are getting quite close to having Bryn Halliwell and the trialist that played against Queen’s Park secured for the season ahead.”
Kick-off at Dumbarton this evening is 7:30pm and admission prices have been set at £5 for adults and £3 concessions.
For those travelling to the Strathclyde Homes Stadium the link below from the official Dumbarton website provides some useful directions.
