David's Dumbarton Welcome

"I like playing here as I am not very popular here so I like to make sure that I always do well. It goes back a good few years to my Stranraer years.

David Graham enjoys his visits to Dumbarton and Saturday was no different. He scored in just over two minutes and assisted in two more earning him the massive bottle of bubbly from sponsors Co-operative Insurance. It was no surprise that the home fans did not like him but for the sizeable Pars travelling support it was a mystery how the player signed from Hamilton in January was the target of their abuse before a ball was kicked.

David explained that it was about a match in September 2004 when he was a Stranraer player.  With the game level at one each David went down in the box in a tackle from Jim McKistry. As the home fans accused Graham of diving, the Dumbarton player was sent off for a last man offence and Graham Guy stepped up to put Stranraer 2-1 from the resultant penalty kick.

To further annoy the Sons support David made it 3-1 five minutes from time. Referee that day five years ago was Chris Boyle and on Saturday the same whistler sent off Dumbarton right back Iain Chisholm for two yellow card attracting tackles by the defender on none other than David Graham.

The 2004 incident was kept to the forefront on David Graham's two return visits with Gretna, all of which means that the 26 year old enjoys going to the Strathclyde Homes Stadium:-

"I like playing here as I am not very popular here so I like to make sure that I always do well. It goes back a good few years to my Stranraer years.  I am just happy to get a good result here.

"The Man of the Match Award brought some cat calls at the end but if I am getting that I am doing my job properly. I am more than happy to get that from the stands.  The next time I come down here it will be even worse."

On Saturday it certainly looked like the Pars no.11 was up for the contest.  He hit the net early and had a few other shots at goal that could have yielded more:-

"The gaffer is at me to score as many as I can but to get us off to a great start was pleasing. The pitch was good and the rain just before the start made it a lot slicker. That helped us because we like to get the ball down and pass. It was pleasing to round off a good move."

David Graham's third minute goal at Dumbarton

Macca's assistant, Gerry McCabe was also returning to a ground where things were not always rosy for him but David said that the former Dumbarton boss is now drumming into Graham the message 'watch Lionel Messi, watch Lionel Messi'.

"I think he is in love with him! Cabie is on my case all the time and wants me to play well. The main thing is the team winning but to have a hand in a couple of goals and get a goal myself is pleasing.

"We go into next week with our heads held high. We have had some good results and pleasing performances against better teams. The cup is financial gain but we would rather win next week and start the league campaign with a win."