previous clashes between the sides in this competition

In the Scottish League Cup the Dons have crossed swords with the Boghead club on six occasions and have yet to taste defeat. The first four meetings came in the group stages, a format that was introduced when the competition commenced in 1946.

The first meeting came in the season 1975.76. Dumbarton were certainly the makeweights in a tough group that also included Celtic and Hearts. The section proved equally as difficult for the Dons as their only successes came in both meetings with the Boghead side.

On 13th August 1975 goals from Drew Jarvie and Arthur Graham gave the Dons a 2-0 win before a 6,000 crowd. It was Graham’s opener after seven minutes that set Aberdeen up for a comfortable evening. Dave Robb proved to be difficult for the Dumbarton defence as his strong running and ability to create chances made for a tough night for the Sons.

Arthur Graham should have added to the Dons tally as missed a couple of chance as keeper Bobby Clark was rarely troubled. Manager Bonthrone was pleased with his team but thought the winning margin should have been more emphatic;

“We controlled the game well and our possession was good. It was sometimes the final ball and lack of conviction in forward areas that could have been better. It was important we got the win though. I thought young Gibson did well as he looks a good prospect. Its important we keep introducing our good young players”

After two games all four sides were on two points with all to play for.

ABERDEEN; Clark, Hair, McLelland, Gibson, Young, Miller, Smith, Robb, Jarvie, Rougvie, Graham. Subs used; Thomson, Williamson.

A week later it took a solitary Ian Hair goal to separate the sides.

The Dons full back took advantage of a scramble in the Dumbarton penalty area to ensure Aberdeen remained in contention. The game at Boghead also marked the competitive debut of Jocky Scott who had been brought in by manager Jim Bonthrone from Dundee in a £20,000 transfer. Several English scouts were in the home stand keeping an eye on Aberdeen centre half Willie Young.

Aberdeen keeper Bobby Clark was looking forward to a positive campaign; “We have a young defence with Willie (Miller) looking like a natural in his sweeper role and its important the younger players get settled and get some game time behind them.”

New signing Jocky Scott had a quiet debut but showed enough to suggest he would prove a real asset to the side. Scott was born in Aberdeen and had been capped by Scotland during his spell at Dens Park.

ABERDEEN; Clark, Hair, McLelland, Scott, Young, Miller, Smith, Robb, Jarvie, Williamson, Campbell.

Section 3	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
Celtic	6	5	0	1	17	4	10
Hearts	6	4	0	2	13	8	8
ABERDEEN	6	2	0	4	4	6	4
Dumbarton	6	1	0	5	5	21	2

It was all change seven years later. Not many would have thought that Aberdeen were on the threshold of their greatest ever year as they embarked on a League Cup section that included Dumbarton, Dundee and Morton.

Aberdeen had to work round a preliminary ECWC tie against Sion and they managed to record a relatively easy double win over Dumbarton. Gordon Strachan was the Dons top performer as Aberdeen won 3-0 at Pittodrie on 21st August 1982.

Had it not been for the heroics of Dumbarton keeper Tom Carson the score would have been far higher. Aberdeen keeper Jim Leighton had a quiet afternoon as manager Alex Ferguson insisted his side took both points after frustrating draws against Morton and Dundee; “It was important we got the win. It is still very early in the season for us so we have a fair bit to go to reach the fitness levels we are looking for. Their keeper had a bit of a daft day which frustrated us but our class told when it mattered.”

It is worth recalling the Aberdeen side that day as no less than 11 of the Dons 13 players on duty that day went on to play a part in Gothenburg some nine months later;

ABERDEEN; Leighton, Kennedy, McMaster, Simpson, McLeish, Miller, Strachan, Black, McGhee, Bell, Weir. Subs used; Hewitt, Rougvie.

The return game at Boghead was purely an academic affair as Aberdeen had already cemented their place in the knockout stages. That was reflected in the lowly attendance of just 750 as Aberdeen squeezed through with a 2-1 win. Late goals from Doug Bell and John Hewitt was enough for the victory. Boghead was never an easy venue and despite the Dons already qualifying there was still the expectancy of a win. Manager Alex Ferguson took the opportunity to play some of his fringe players in what was becoming a hectic start to the season. Brian Mitchell, Andy Watson and Steve Cowan all featured in the side.

ABERDEEN; Leighton, Mitchell, McMaster, Cooper, McLeish, Miller, Black, Watson, Hewitt, Simpson, Weir. Subs used; Cowan, Bell.

Section 2	P	W	D	L	F	A	Pts
ABERDEEN	6	4	2	0	18	7	10
Morton	6	3	2	1	16	11	8
Dundee	6	2	2	2	14	19	6
Dumbarton	6	0	0	6	7	18	0

In 1997 the competition had evolved into a knockout basis. At Boghead on 9th August 1997 a new look Aberdeen went nap in a 5-1 win.

The potential was there for a shock as it was only the Dons second competitive outing of the season. Despite losing an early goal a hat trick from new signing Mike Newell eased Aberdeen through in a 5-1 win.

Further goals from Eoin Jess and Joe Miller were perhaps harsh on a plucky home side. Newell along with Brian O’Neil from Celtic were two of Roy Aitken’s big summer signings as well as the returning Eoin Jess, Gary Smith and Jim Leighton.

Manager Aitken was aware of the pitfalls such a tie could bring; “We had everything to lose and coming so early in the season its always a concern, but we did put our stamp on the tie and it was good to see Mike (Newell) get amongst the goals.”

It was to prove a false dawn for the Dons as they struggled at the foot of the league until former Celtic star Aitken was replaced by Alex Miller some months later.

ABERDEEN; Stillie, Anderson, Tzvetanov, Bernard, Koumouare, O’Neil, Miller, Jess, Newell, Windass, Buchan. Subs used; Rowson, Dodds, Craig.

The most recent meeting came at Pittodrie on 23rd September 2003. Aberdeen made it through to the last 16 following an unconvincing display against Dumbarton. A poor 3,944 crowd turned up to see Australian David Zdrilic score twice in the opening half to ease Aberdeen into control.

However it was not all one way as the visitors hit the woodwork on two occasions in between the Dons opening goals. When Leigh Hinds made it 3-0 in 49 minutes the Dons looked good to extend their lead.

However chances were rare and it was the visitors who scored a consolation in 79 minutes.

ABERDEEN; Preece, Hart, McQuilken, McNaughton, Anderson, Diamond, Hinds, Tosh, Zdrilic, Sheerin, Heikkinen. Subs used; Bird, Deloumeaux, Muirhead.