Dumbarton midfielder aims for top team spot

Oct 31 2008 by Marc McLean, Lennox Herald (main ed)

IAIN Chisholm got his first goal for Dumbarton on Saturday and then warned Derek Carcary: I’m after your place in the team.

The midfielder headed home Stevie Murray’s cross for the only goal of Saturday’s Homecoming Scottish Cup second round tie at Fraserburgh, which was played in a high wind.

He has now started the last two games after Derek was injured in the warm-up before last week’s win at Montrose.

And although the winger is nearly fit again, Iain is determined to hang on to the number seven jersey after two good performances.

He said: “We knew as soon as we arrived that the weather would be really bad, so we went with the wind against us in the first half.

“In the second half, with the score still 0-0, we put them under a lot of pressure and it was just a matter of time before we scored.

“In the circumstances I thought we played okay and, as long as we got through to the next round, that was the main thing.

“It was good for me to score after being out of the side for some time. I’m looking to make sure I cement a place in the team, especially competing with players like Derek.

“I’ll just have to try to carry on the form I’ve shown in the last two games. I think I’ve done reasonably well and hopefully the manager will agree.”

Iain, 23, is now focusing on Saturday’s return to third division action at home to second-bottom Berwick Rangers.

He added: “It’s an important game, especially as we are only two points behind leaders Stenhousemuir and go there next Saturday.

“Berwick are a big, physical side so we will have to defend against that as well as trying to play football.

“There’s a great spirit among the players at the moment on and off the pitch. Everybody is getting to know everybody and you could also hear the fans getting behind the team on Saturday.”