Scottish League Cup*, Pittodrie Stadium, 27/7/24.

Well, at least it was 0-0 at half-time.

We had more or less done ourselves justice in the first half and even got the ball in the net but Michael Ruth was offside. (Well I thought it was Ruthie but the club’s website says it was Carlo Pignatiello.)

Two minutes inro the second half and the wheels began to fall off. Their pace got them in behind our right and it was slotted past Brett Long. Three minutes after that it was game over. I didn’t actually see the build up because some idiot scoming back from somewhere or other stood in front of me for longer than necessary – this in a sparsely populated away end – before sitting down again.

Thereafter it was more than an uphill struggle. Our substitutions were copious and by the time all five had been made our defensive organisation had gone completely. Their last three goals were the result. In general they looked faster, fitter, stronger and better passing angles than us. They are full time though and at this stage of the season that makes a big difference.

As to us new signing Mouhamed Niang looked good in midfield and Ruthie ploughed his usual lonely furrow up front. His replacement, latest signing Joel Mumbongo, did not have much time on the pitch to be able to make a judgement on him.

On to the real stuff next week.

*Call it the Premier Sports Cup if you must.

Sons’ opponents in this year’s League Cup, now called the Premier Sports Cup, will be Aberdeen, Airdrieonians, Queen of the South and East Kilbride.

We have played Aberdeen a few times recently in the Scottish Cup, Airdrie most recently when in SPFL Tier 3 but they are now a level higher, and we will be renewing acquaintance with Queen of the South in next season’s Tier 3. Unless it was in a friendly I can’t remember, Sons have never faced East Kilbride before. They won this season’s Lowland League but lost out to Stranraer in the play-off for SPFL membership. Depending on how the ties turn out this might be a new ground for me to see Sons play at.

Sons have been given a bye in Round One of the SPFL Trust Trophy (once known as The Challenge Cup.)

It will be either Kilmarnock B or Bonnyrigg Rose away in the second round.

Since we play Bonnyrigg in the League Cup as well, and first up in the League, then, should it come to pass, we’ll soon be sick of the sight of them.

One of the things that happened while I was away was the draw for the group stage of the League Cup (apparently now called the Viaplay Cup.)

We play Airdrieonians, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Bonnyrigg Rose and Dundee, the first and last away, the other two at home.

I suppose we’ll be out of contention after two games as usual.

Scottish League Cup,* Group A, The Rock, 19/07/22.

I confess I thought we would lose this. (Well we did lose the shoot-out for the extra point.)

But they are two divisions higher than us now so a draw isn’t a bad result.

A goal would have been nice.

It’s our acquaintance with this competition over for another season though.

*Premier Sports Cup

Scottish League Cup,* Group A, Balmoor Stadium, 16/7/22.

Well.

A win!

And against a team we couldn’t buy a result against last season. Plus it’s a competition in which we have a dreadful recent record.

Mind you, I understand Peterhead are having severe team problems at the moment.

Still, a win’s a win.

Not that it means anything. I doubt we’ll do something similar at home versus Raith on Tuesday.

The big test will be the first league game. But Stirling Albion, whom we play at home on the 30^th, seem to be going well.

*Premier Sports Cup.

Scottish League Cup,* Group A, The Rock, 9/7/22.

Well, this didn’t take long in coming round. Not much of a close season these days.

But it seems we’ve taken up exactly where we left off.

Okay it’s not the league but it’s still a national cup competetition.

The only consolation is we actually scored. But that was from a defensive mistake.

The three other teams we play in this are in divisions above us. It doesn’t look as if our record in this competition is going to improve any.

Three weeks until the real stuff starts. And that will be against Stirling Albion again.

*Premier Sports Cup

The league fixtures for next season (2022-23) have been published.

We start against Stirling Albion at home on Jul 30^th and finish on May 6^th home to Stranraer.

I really don’t know what to think about this. It’s been a long few seasons of not being very competitive and I dread the same again. Not least that, unlike the last time we were in the lowest divison – 14 seasons ago – there is now the prospect of falling out of the SPFL altogether if that trend continues.

We are only three or so weeks away from our first League Cup game, also starting at home against Stirling Albion. It’s not much of a close season these days.

The League Cup group match dates have been announced.

Saturday July 9 – Dumbarton v Stirling Albion

Wednesday July 13 – Aberdeen v Dumbarton

Saturday July 16 – Peterhead v Dumbarton

Tuesday July 19 – Dumbarton v Raith Rovers

So the potentially closest to me (Raith) won’t be – and the two away games are at the two grounds furthest away. I doubt I’ll bother.

This has come around very quickly. I’m still depressed about being relegated.

But the draw for next season’s League Cup has been made.

Do we have to?

Not that it’s called the League Cup anymore. It’s the Premier Sports Cup.

Whatever.

Our group includes Aberdeen, Raith Rovers, Peterhead and Stirling Albion.

Two potentially travellable venues for me if we play them away. Two others not quite so much.