2017–18 Dumbarton F.C. season

Season 2017–18 was Dumbarton's sixth in the second tier of Scottish football, having finished eighth in 2016–17. Dumbarton also competed in the Challenge Cup, Scottish League Cup and the Scottish Cup.

Dumbarton
2017–18 season
ChairmanLes Hope (until April)John Steele (May - )
ManagerStevie Aitken
StadiumYOUR Radio 103FM Stadium (until 1/5/18)C&G Systems Stadium (5/5/18 - )
Championship9th (relegated via playoffs)
Challenge CupFinalists (lost to Inverness Caledonian Thistle)
League CupGroup Stage
Scottish CupLast 16 (lost to Greenock Morton)
Top goalscorerLeague: Dimitris Froxylias (4)
All: Calum Gallagher (7)
Highest home attendanceLeague: 1,652 (vs St Mirren January 2018)
Cup: 888 (vs Raith Rovers November 2017)
Lowest home attendanceLeague: 392 (vs Inverness CT March 2018)
Cup: 366 (vs Annan Athletic July 2017)

Story of the season

May

May started with Stevie Aitken releasing four members of the squad, on top of the two who had already agreed deals elsewhere.[1] Garry Fleming lead the list, departing after 179 appearances for the club, he was joined by Tom Lang, Mark Docherty and Donald McCallum. Also leaving the club were Robert Thomson who joined Greenock Morton and Andy Stirling who joined Queen of the South.

The club's Head of Youth, Tony McNally, was next to leave, on 19 May.[2] Meanwhile, Les Hope was announced as the club's new chairman, replacing Alan Jardine.[3]

Manager Stevie Aitken agreed a new two-year contract with the club on 24 May, and he was joined in agreeing terms for the new campaign by assistant Ian Durrant.[4] Seven players also signed contracts for the new season, with Christian Nadé, Stuart Carswell, Calum Gallagher, Grant Gallagher, Kyle Prior, David Smith and Jamie Ewings all agreeing one year contracts. Defender Gregor Buchanan turned down a new deal however, and joined St Mirren.[5] Player of the year Alan Martin also moved on. Joining Queen of the South.[6]

The club's chief scout (and former player) Stuart Millar moved on, on 28 May,[7] joining Stranraer in a similar role.

May ended with the club's sponsorship deal with Cheaper Insurance Direct expiring, meaning that the stadium reverted to being called the Dumbarton Football Stadium.[8]

June

June started with a press release stating that the club's owners (Brabco) had formally applied for planning permission for a new stadium.[9]

Dumbarton were then drawn against Kilmarnock, Ayr United, Annan Athletic and Clyde in the group stage of the Scottish League Cup.[10]

On 6 June club captain Darren Barr rejected a new deal to join Greenock Morton as the coach of their development squad.[11]

Pre-season friendlies were announced, with a game against Albion Rovers at Cliftonhill, and home matches against Clydebank and Partick Thistle scheduled.[12]

Jamie Ewings was announced as the club's new goalkeeper coach on 9 June,[13] before Andy Dowie became their first signing of the summer – joining from Queen of the South.[14] Forward Mark Stewart was next to sign, joining the club after three seasons with Raith Rovers.[15] A week later Tom Walsh rejoined the club on a one-year deal from Limerick, having spent time on loan at the club during the 2015–16 season.[16] Defender Craig Barr was next to arrive, from Raith Rovers, on a one-year deal,[17] Barr's signing was followed by that of goalkeeper Scott Gallacher from Hibernian.[18]

On 26 June there were further boardroom changes, as Ian Wilson (one of the main members of Brabco, and drivers behind the new stadium move) resigned from the board, in order to concentrate on the holding company's other interests.[19] On the same day midfielder David Wilson joined having left Partick Thistle.[20] A day later it became clear that the new stadium development was in difficulty over fears that it could destroy a former home of Robert the Bruce.[21] June ended with the club revealing their new Joma home kit, which was a modern take on their traditional white, black and gold colours.[22]

July

July 1 saw the team take to the pitch for the first time in a low key 0-0 draw with Stranraer at Lochinch Park.[23] Winger Chris Johnston became the club's third summer arrival from Raith Rovers, after Mark Stewart and Craig Barr, joining on 7 July.[24] That was followed by a 1-1 draw with Albion Rovers at Cliftonhill, where Calum Gallagher scored his first goal for the club.[25] The first home pre-season friendly saw Sons host Scottish Premiership side Partick Thistle. Goals by Christian Nadé and trialist Jordan Allan gave Stevie Aitken's men a 2-1 win.[26]

A day later it was announced that summer signing Andy Dowie would be the club's new captain, taking over the role vacated by Darren Barr.[27] Dumbarton ended their pre-season campaign unbeaten, after goals from Calum Gallagher and Mark Stewart gave them a 2-1 victory over local rivals Clydebank on 15 July. The same day the club announced the double signing of defenders Christopher McLaughlin and Dougie Hill.[28]

On 17 July a new 2 year sponsorship deal was agreed with local radio station Your Radio, which saw the Dumbarton Football Stadium become known as The Your Radio 103FM Stadium.[29] Prior to the start of the Betfred Cup campaign, striker Ally Roy joined on loan from Hearts.[30] Following injuries to Grant Gallagher and Stuart Carswell midfielder Kyle Hutton joined the squad from St Mirren on 21 July, having previously worked with Ian Durrant at Rangers.[31] A week later former Hibernian midfielder Danny Handling joined the club, having negotiated his release from the Easter Road club.[32]

Once again Dumbarton exited the Betfred Cup at the group stage, following a dismal run which included defeats to Ayr United, Clyde and Kilmarnock as well as a penalty shootout defeat to Annan Athletic.

August

August began with Stevie Aitken securing the signing of Celtic U20s captain Sam Wardrop on a season long development loan.[33] Dumbarton's league season began with a 0-0 draw at home to Greenock Morton.[34] In the Scottish Challenge Cup Dumbarton tasted victory for first time since 2015 (and for only the sixth time in their history) as they overcame Rangers U20s 2-1. Calum Gallagher and Mark Stewart got the Sons goals – their first competitive strikes for the club.[35] After scoring just once in four league games (two draws, two defeats) Stevie Aitken dipped into the transfer market again on 30 August to sign Ross County striker Greg Morrison, on loan from the Scottish Premiership side until January.[36] On deadline day he added to the squad again, signing Cypriot attacker Dimitris Froxylias from Ermis Aradippou.[37]

September

September began with a 2-1 Scottish Challenge Cup success over Welsh Premier League runners-up Connah's Quay Nomads at the YOUR Radio 103FM Stadium, in what was the first competitive match in history between Sons and a Welsh side. An early Callum Morris penalty gave the visitors the lead, before David Wilson equalised with his first senior goal. That sent the game into extra-time, with debutant Dimitris Froxylias scoring a final minute free-kick to win the tie.[38] Their reward was another home tie, this time against Scottish League One Stranraer managed by Aitken's former assistant at Dumbarton Stevie Farrell.[39]

In the league, the Sons finally secured their first league victory of the campaign on 16 September, beating fellow part-timers Brechin City 2-1 at the YOUR Radio 103FM Stadium thanks to late goals from Mark Stewart and Dimitris Froxylias.[40] They followed this up with another 2-1 home victory, this time against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the first ever league meeting between the sides. Dimitris Froxylias scored again, with Celtic loanee Sam Wardrop scoring the winner with his first goal in senior football. The month ended with a 2-1 defeat against Livingston at Almondvale Stadium, where Tom Walsh scored his first goal of his second spell with the club.

October

October began with Sons making it into the quarter-finals of the Scottish Challenge Cup for the first time in 15 years[41] after a 2-1 success against Stranraer. They were drawn to face Raith Rovers in the next round.[42]

Back on league duty, the side fell to their second consecutive defeat, against St Mirren at the YOUR Radio 103FM Stadium.

In the Scottish Cup meanwhile, Sons were handed a home tie against Elgin City.[43]

A draw with Morton at Cappielow followed, with Mark Stewart scoring an early opener. The following week attacker Dimitris Froxylias agreed a contract extension until the end of the season,[44] after impressing with 3 goals and 2 assists in his 8 appearances for the club. The month ended winless in the league for Sons, with Dundee United taking all three points thanks to two goals from former Dumbarton loanee Sam Stanton.

November

November began with Sons securing their first away league win of the season, 1-0 against Brechin City thanks to an injury time Willie Dyer own-goal.[45] The Sons made it two victories in a row, and made it to the semi-finals of the Scottish Challenge Cup for the first time in their history, the following week - with a 2-0 success over Raith Rovers thanks to goals from Christopher McLaughlin and Ally Roy.[46] A further success followed a week later, as Stuart Carswell's first career goal was enough to defeat Elgin City in the Scottish Cup. Sons continued the run, as Dimitris Froxylias returned from injury with a stunning goal in a 2-2 draw with Dunfermline Athletic.[47] They ended the month undefeated, with Greg Morrison scoring his first goal for the club in a 2-2 draw with Queen of the South.

December

The good form continued into December, as Tom Walsh scored the winner against his former club St Mirren, a result that knocked the Paisley club off the top of the table.[48] After going through November unbeaten, Stevie Aitken was named Ladbrokes Championship Manager of the Month.[49] Sons finally fell to their first defeat since October, against Inverness on 16 December. This was followed by a 0-0 draw with Falkirk in which left-back Chris McLaughlin was stretchered off with a serious injury. Three days later Sons were back in action again, falling to a 4-1 defeat at home to Livingston, with Kyle Hutton being sent-off.[50] Snow forced their final scheduled game of the year, a home tie against Greenock Morton to be called off.[51] The month ended with left-back Liam Dick joining the club from Stranraer.[52]

January

Dumbarton opened the year with a goal-less draw against Queen of the South at Palmerston Park. Later in the week young midfielder Kyle Prior joined Lowland Football League side BSC Glasgow on loan until the end of the season.[53] An early Joe Cardle goal consigned the club to their first defeat of 2018 against Dunfermline Athletic, a result that also left them without a home league victory since September.[54] Iain Russell became the club's second signing of the January window, as he came out of retirement to re-join the club after leaving in 2006.[55] A day later Sons tasted defeat again, going down 0-2 against league leaders St Mirren at the YOUR Radio 103FM Stadium, meaning that they still hadn't scored in 2018. Post-match it was confirmed that attacker Ally Roy wouldn't be having his loan spell from Hearts extended.[56] On 22 January striker Kevin Nisbet joined the club on loan from Partick Thistle.[57] A day later Dumbarton extended their run in the Scottish Cup with a 3-2 victory against Peterhead at Balmoor Stadium thanks to a double from Calum Gallagher and Iain Russell's first goal for the club since returning. That set up a fifth round tie with Greenock Morton. Despite the cup success however, Dumbarton remained winless (and goal-less) in the league in 2018, as first-half goals from Alan Lithgow and Ryan Hardie consigned them to a 2-0 defeat to Livingston. On the penultimate day of the January transfer window winger Andy Stirling returned to the club on-loan from Queen of the South.[58]

February

Dumbarton's first scheduled game of February against Brechin City fell victim to the weather. A week later winger Chris Johnston left the club on an emergency loan - joining Peterhead.[59] The same day defender Aidan Wilson joined on an emergency loan from Rangers.[60] After defeat to Greenock Morton in the Scottish Cup Aitken re-entered the emergency loan market, to add midfielder Liam Burt on a 28 day loan from Rangers.[61] There was reason to be cheerful a day later, as Dumbarton made it to their first major national cup final for more than 100 years. Danny Handling's first goal for the club was followed by a stunning, late, Dimitris Froxylias free-kick, as Sons overcame Welsh Premier League Champions The New Saints to reach the final of the Scottish Challenge Cup.[62] Four days later, and back on league action, Sons suffered defeat at the hands of Greenock Morton - despite a strong first half showing. Next up was a 0-0 draw with eighth placed Falkirk - a result that left the Sons still searching for their first league goal of 2018.

March

With no game scheduled for the first weekend in March due to the Scottish Cup, Dumbarton started the month with defeat against Queen of the South at the Your Radio stadium on 10 March. That was followed by the club's first league win (and goal) of the year, as Dimitris Froxylias scored the only goal in a victory against Brechin City. Four days later Brechin were defeated again, this time at Glebe Park, thanks to first league goals for the club from Calum Gallagher and Danny Handling and a Sean Crighton own-goal. It was heartbreak in the 2018 Scottish Challenge Cup Final however, as Carl Tremarco won the game in injury time for Inverness Caledonian Thistle. The month ended with heavy defeats, 5-0 at table-topping St Mirren, and 3-0 against playoff bound Livingston, where Grant Gallagher made his return after 18 months out injured.

April

April opened with a 2-0 midweek defeat against Dundee United. Four days later Sons faced the same opponents, and won 3-2, having gone ahead three times thanks to goals from Calum Gallagher and a brace from Craig Barr.[63] It was then announced that Helensburgh based solicitor John Steele would become the club's new Chairman during the summer, replacing Les Hope who took up the role in May 2017.[64] On the park meanwhile a last minute defeat to Greenock Morton left the Sons eight points adrift of eighth placed Falkirk with just four games remaining. Ninth place was confirmed after two defeats in five days to Inverness Caledonian Thistle, coupled with victory for Falkirk against Champions St Mirren, left the Sons 11 points adrift with just two matches remaining.[65] During the match goalkeeper Jamie Ewings made his first league appearance for the club since May 2016 as a substitute for the injured Scott Gallacher.[66] Ewings' first start followed, in a 5-2 defeat to Falkirk where Liam Burt scored his first goal for the club. Post-match Andy Dowie was named as the club's Player of the Year, Christopher McLaughlin won Young Player of the Year and Craig Barr won Players' Player of the Year.[67] The league season ended with a 4-0 defeat to Dunfermline Athletic with Barr sent off after just nine minutes, setting up a playoff semi-final tie with Arbroath.

May

May opened with the club's stadium sponsorship deal with Your Radio being terminated due to the station's financial situation.[68] In the first-leg of the playoff final Sons defeated League One Arbroath 2-1 thanks to an injury time Craig Barr goal - with the defender only playing after appealing his red card. The second leg finished 1-1, with Dougie Hill scoring his first goal for the club. The same day the Dumbarton Football Stadium was renamed as the 'C&G Systems Stadium' thanks to a new three year sponsorship deal.[69] In the first-leg of the final, a stunning Stuart Carswell goal (just the second of his career) was enough to defeat Alloa Athletic. In the second-leg however the Sons lost by two goals to nil after extra-time, meaning relegation to Scottish League One for the first time since the 2011-12 season.

First team transfers

  • From end of 2016–17 season, to last match of season 2017–18

In

PlayerFromLeagueFee
Andy Dowie Queen of the SouthScottish ChampionshipFree
Mark Stewart Raith RoversScottish League OneFree
Tom Walsh LimerickLeague of Ireland Premier DivisionFree
Craig Barr Raith RoversScottish League OneFree
Scott Gallacher HibernianScottish PremiershipFree
David Wilson Partick ThistleScottish PremiershipFree
Chris Johnston Raith RoversScottish League OneFree
Dougie Hill Brechin CityScottish ChampionshipFree
Christopher McLaughlin Ross CountyScottish PremiershipFree
Ally Roy HeartsScottish PremiershipLoan
Kyle Hutton St MirrenScottish ChampionshipFree
Danny Handling HibernianScottish PremiershipFree
Sam Wardrop CelticScottish PremiershipLoan
Greg Morrison Ross CountyScottish PremiershipLoan
Dimitris Froxylias Ermis AradippouCypriot First DivisionFree
Liam Dick StranraerScottish League OneFree
Iain Russell Free AgentN/AFree
Kevin Nisbet Partick Thistle F.C.Scottish PremiershipLoan
Andy Stirling Queen of the SouthScottish ChampionshipLoan
Aidan Wilson RangersScottish PremiershipLoan
Liam Burt RangersScottish PremiershipLoan

Out

PlayerToLeagueFee
Robert Thomson Greenock MortonScottish ChampionshipFree
Andy Stirling Queen of the SouthScottish ChampionshipFree
Donald McCallum Campbeltown Pupils AFCScottish Amateur Premier LeagueFree
Garry Fleming Alloa AthleticScottish League OneFree
Mark Docherty East FifeScottish League OneFree
Tom Lang StranraerScottish League OneFree
Alan Martin Queen of the SouthScottish ChampionshipFree
Gregor Buchanan St MirrenScottish ChampionshipFree
Darren Barr Greenock MortonScottish ChampionshipFree
Kyle Prior BSC GlasgowLowland Football LeagueLoan
Chris Johnston PeterheadScottish League TwoFree

Fixtures and results

  Win  Draw  Loss  Upcoming fixture

Friendlies

8 July 2017 Friendly Albion Rovers 1-1 Dumbarton Coatbridge
14:00Joao Victoria 23'ReportCalum Gallagher 67'Stadium: Cliftonhill
15 July 2017 Friendly Dumbarton 2-1 Clydebank Dumbarton
12:00Calum Gallagher 42', Mark Stewart 76'ReportJordan Shelvey 11'Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium
Attendance: 308
Referee: Stephen Brown

Scottish Championship

5 August 2017 Championship Dumbarton 0 – 0 Greenock Morton Dumbarton Football Stadium
15:00SPFL ReportAttendance: 1,161
Referee: Steven Kirkland
Man of the Match: Craig Barr
19 August 2017 Championship Queen of the South 1 – 0 Dumbarton Palmerston Park
15:00Callum Fordyce 44'SPFL ReportAttendance: 1,442
Referee: Kevin Graham
26 August 2017 Championship Dumbarton 0 – 4 Dunfermline Athletic Dumbarton Football Stadium
15:00Andy Dowie  19'   76'SPFL ReportJoe Cardle 5', Kallum Higginbotham 28', Nicky Clark 87', Andy Ryan 90+1'Attendance: 1,028
Referee: Barry Cook
Man of the Match: Craig Barr
9 September 2017 Championship Dundee United 1 – 1 Dumbarton Tannadice Stadium
15:00James Keatings 87'DFC ReportDavid Smith 4'Attendance: 5,331
Referee: Greg Aitken
16 September 2017 Championship Dumbarton 2 – 1 Brechin City Dumbarton Football Stadium
15:00Mark Stewart 82', Dimitris Froxylias 86'ReportJordan Sinclair 2', Aron Lynas  70'Attendance: 589
Referee: Nick Walsh
Man of the Match: Dimitris Froxylias
30 September 2017 Championship Livingston 2 – 1 Dumbarton Almondvale Stadium
15:00Alan Lithgow 19', Craig Halkett 85'ReportTom Walsh 76'Attendance: 938
Referee: Mat Northcroft
14 October 2017 Championship Dumbarton 0 – 2 St Mirren Dumbarton Football Stadium
15:00ReportGavin Reilly 36', John Sutton 70'Attendance: 1178
Referee: Alan Newlands
Man of the Match: Christopher McLaughlin
21 October 2017 Championship Greenock Morton 1 – 1 Dumbarton Cappielow
15:00Bob McHugh 50'ReportMark Stewart 5'Attendance: 1428
Referee: Barry Cook
28 October 2017 Championship Dumbarton 0 – 2 Dundee United Dumbarton Football Stadium
15:00Craig Barr  53'   63'ReportSam Stanton 2', 15'Attendance: 968
Referee: Craig Charleston
Man of the Match: Dimitris Froxylias
4 November 2017 Championship Brechin City 0 – 1 Dumbarton Glebe Park
15:00ReportOG 90'Attendance: 538
Referee: Don Robertson
28 November 2017 Championship Dumbarton 2 – 2 Queen of the South Dumbarton Football Stadium
19:45OG 11', Greg Morrison 81'ReportStephen Dobbie 70' (pen.), OG 84'Attendance: 474
Referee: Alan Newlands
Man of the Match: Sam Wardrop
2 December 2017 Championship St Mirren 0 – 1 Dumbarton St Mirren Park
15:00Stelios Demetriou  43'ReportTom Walsh 80'Attendance: 3591
Referee: Andrew Dallas
23 December 2017 Championship Dumbarton 0 – 0 Falkirk Dumbarton Football Stadium
15:00ReportAttendance: 874
Referee: John McKendrick
Man of the Match: Scott Gallacher
26 December 2017 Championship Dumbarton 1 – 4 Livingston Dumbarton Football Stadium
14:00Ally Roy 25', Kyle Hutton  90'   90+1'ReportCraig Halkett 27', Scott Pittman 43', Dylan Mackin 58', Scott Robinson 80', Matthew Knox Attendance: 495
Referee: Nick Walsh
Man of the Match: Ally Roy
2 January 2018 Championship Queen of the South 0 – 0 Dumbarton Palmerston Park
15:00ReportAttendance: 1,269
Referee: Barry Cook
13 January 2018 Championship Dumbarton 0 – 2 St Mirren Dumbarton Football Stadium
15:00ReportCammy Smith 47', Stephen McGinn 58'Attendance: 1,652
Referee: Kevin Graham
Man of the Match: Andy Dowie
27 January 2018 Championship Livingston 2 – 0 Dumbarton Almondvale Stadium
15:00Alan Lithgow 23', Ryan Hardie 28'ReportAttendance: 732
Referee: Colin Steven
20 February 2018 Championship Dumbarton 0 – 1 Greenock Morton Dumbarton Football Stadium
19:45ReportThomas O'Ware 74'Attendance: 833
Referee: Don Robertson
24 February 2018 Championship Falkirk 0–0 Dumbarton Falkirk Stadium
15:00ReportAttendance: 6,094
Referee: Colin Steven
13 March 2018 Championship Dumbarton 1 – 0 Brechin City Dumbarton Football Stadium
19:45Dimitris Froxylias 37'ReportAttendance: Alan Newlands
Referee: 403
Man of the Match: Andy Dowie
27 March 2018 Championship St Mirren 5 – 0 Dumbarton St Mirren Park
19:45Lewis Morgan 31' 85', Cammy Smith 32', Danny Mullen 49', Gavin Reilly 70'ReportAttendance: 3964
Referee: Colin Steven
31 March 2018 Championship Dumbarton 0 – 3 Livingston Dumbarton Football Stadium
15:00Aidan Wilson  20'   80'ReportLee Miller 34', Ryan Hardie 36', Raffaele De Vita 45'Attendance: 670
Referee: Barry Cook
10 April 2018 Championship Greenock Morton 3 – 2 Dumbarton Cappielow Park
19:45Fraser 62'
Baird 69'
Iredale 90+4'
ReportHandling 55'
O'Ware 87' (o.g.)
Attendance: 1,134
Referee: Craig Charleston
21 April 2018 Championship Dumbarton 2 – 5 Falkirk Dumbarton Football Stadium
15:00Calum Gallagher 37', Liam Burt 87'ReportAlex Jakubiak 19', Louis Longridge 47', Thomas Robson 59', Craig Sibbald 70', Joe McKee 86'Attendance: 942
Referee: Mike Roncone
Man of the Match: Stuart Carswell
28 April 2018 Championship Dunfermline Athletic 4 – 0 Dumbarton East End Park
15:00Kallum Higginbotham 18' 25', Fraser Aird 45', Ryan Williamson 65'ReportCraig Barr  9'Attendance: 5,506
Referee: Colin Steven

Scottish Championship play-offs

5 May 2017 Championship play-off Semi-final 2nd Leg Dumbarton 1 – 1
(3 – 2 agg.)
Arbroath Dumbarton Football Stadium
15:00Dougie Hill 9'ReportGavin Swankie 27'Attendance: 872
Referee: Craig Charleston
Man of the Match: Dougie Hill

Scottish Cup

18 November 2017 3rd round Dumbarton 1-0 Elgin City Dumbarton
15:00Stuart Carswell 24'ReportStadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium
Attendance: 491
Referee: Colin Steven
23 January 2018 4th round Peterhead 2-3 Dumbarton Peterhead
19:45Jason Brown 31', Mason Robertson 83'ReportCalum Gallagher 12', 53', Iain Russell 56'Stadium: Balmoor Stadium
Attendance: 691
Referee: Gavin Ross
10 February 2018 5th round Greenock Morton 3-0 Dumbarton Greenock
15:00Frank Ross 12', Jack Iredale 49', Robert McHugh 80'ReportStadium: Cappielow Park
Attendance: 1,746
Referee: Craig Thomson

Scottish League Cup

Table

PosTeamPldWPWPLLGFGAGDPtsQualificationAYRKILCLYANNDUM
1Ayr United (Q)44000153+1212Qualification for the Second Round1–05–1
2Kilmarnock (Q)4300193+694–23–0
3Clyde42002711−462–12–1
4Annan Athletic40103210−821–60–2
5Dumbarton4001328−611–30–0p
Source: [70]
Rules for classification: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored, 3) away goals scored, 4) matches won, 5) away matches won, 6) drawing of lots.[71]
(Q) Qualified to the phase indicated

Matches

18 July 2017 Group stage Dumbarton 1–3 Ayr United Dumbarton
19:45Christian Nade 45'ReportOG 36', Declan McDaid 71', Rab Crawford 87'Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium
Attendance: 615
Referee: Barry Cook
22 July 2017 Group stage Clyde 2-1 Dumbarton Cumbernauld
15:00Darren Miller 57', Max Wright 67'ReportCraig Barr 31'Stadium: Broadwood Stadium
Attendance: 416
Referee: John McKendrick
25 July 2017 Group stage Dumbarton 0-0
(3-4 p)
Annan Athletic Dumbarton
19:45Christian Nadé  32'ReportOwen Moxon  64'   72'Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium
Attendance: 366
Referee: Craig Charleston
29 July 2017 Group stage Kilmarnock 3-0 Dumbarton Kilmarnock
15:00Chris Burke 53', Kris Boyd 73', Lee Erwin 76'ReportStadium: Rugby Park
Attendance: 2,444
Referee: Bobby Madden
Man of the Match: Adam Frizzell

Scottish Challenge Cup

16 August 2017 1st round Dumbarton 2-1 Rangers U20s Dumbarton
19:45Calum Gallagher 2' (pen.), Mark Stewart 49'ReportRyan Hardie 72'Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium
Attendance: 389
Referee: Gavin Ross
2 September 2017 2nd round Dumbarton 2-1 Connah's Quay Nomads Dumbarton
14:30David Wilson 81', Dimitris Froxylias 120'ReportCallum Morris 26' (pen.), George Horan    98'Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium
Attendance: 491
Referee: Ben Connolly
6 October 2017 3rd round Dumbarton 2-1 Stranraer Dumbarton
19:45Craig Barr 12', Mark Stewart 65'ReportChukwunweike Okoh 90+3'Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium
Attendance: 492
Referee: Greg Aitken
11 November 2017 Quarter-Finals Dumbarton 2-0 Raith Rovers Dumbarton
15:00Christopher McLaughlin 20', Ally Roy 49'ReportGreig Spence  58'Stadium: Dumbarton Football Stadium
Attendance: 888
Referee: Kevin Graham
Man of the Match: Christopher McLaughlin
17 February 2018 Semi-Finals The New Saints 1-2 Dumbarton Oswestry
15:00Dean Ebbe 52'ReportDanny Handling 74', Dimitris Froxylias 84'Stadium: Park Hall
Attendance: 825
Referee: Neil Doyle
Man of the Match: Craig Barr
24 March 2018 Final Dumbarton 0-1 Inverness Caledonian Thistle Perth
16:15ReportCarl Tremarco 90+3'Stadium: McDiarmid Park
Attendance: 4,602
Referee: Andrew Dallas
Man of the Match: Coll Donaldson

League table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPtsPromotion, qualification or relegation
6Queen of the South361410125953+652
7Greenock Morton361311124740+750
8Falkirk361211134549−447
9Dumbarton (R)3679202763−3630Qualification for the Championship play-offs
10Brechin City (R)3604322090−704Relegation to League One
Source: Soccerway
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored; 4) Points in head-to-head matches; 5) Goal difference in hth matches; 6). Goals scored in hth matches; 7). Play-off (only for deciding promotion, play-off participation and relegation).[72]
(R) Relegated

Player statistics

As of 22:38, 13 May 2018 (UTC)

All competitions

#PositionPlayerStartsSubsUnused subsGoals Red cards Yellow cards
55DF Craig Barr46005212
31MF Liam Burt4151100
6MF Stuart Carswell3521205
4DF Andy Dowie4801015
22DF Liam Dick1700004
19GK Jamie Ewings2249000
20MF Dimitris Froxylias2099603
1GK Scott Gallacher5102002
7FW Calum Gallagher28149701
5MF Grant Gallagher373100
21FW Danny Handling1766301
15DF Dougie Hill26319108
14MF Kyle Hutton44300113
11MF Chris Johnston5917001
3DF Christopher McLaughlin3202107
16FW Greg Morrison690102
27FW Christian Nadé12161114
24FW Kevin Nisbet947002
18MF Kyle Prior0416000
17FW Ally Roy11145302
23FW Iain Russell952101
2DF David Smith2548101
9FW Mark Stewart23136403
25MF Andy Stirling1601002
10FW Tom Walsh4014307
12DF Sam Wardrop2700104
30DF Aidan Wilson403014
8MF David Wilson231015102

References