Dumbarton FC's Scott Chaplain hopes for an end to the big freeze

Jan 15 2010 by Andy Galloway, Lennox Herald (main ed)

SCOTT Chaplain is sitting on the fence over a potential winter shutdown – as Dumbarton are going through one right now.

Sons’ top scorer admits it has been a frustrating time for the squad due to the recent spate of postponements.

But he’s waiting to see how they respond to the enforced break before deciding whether Scottish football should shut down over the winter.

Scott, scorer of five goals from midfield this season, said: “This winter is the worst it has been in years, but if it’s going to continue to be like this in the future, a shutdown is something we’d have to look at.

“I don’t know if I’d like a break enforced on us if this is just a one-off, as you look to be playing whenever the weather is okay.

“It has its pros and cons like everything else, but we’re going through a bit of a shutdown at the moment with all the games being off.

“It will be just like starting over again when we return to action. If we come back and are flying, I might be in favour of shutting down!”

With no match scheduled for the weekend due to the Active Nation Scottish Cup, Sons were again put through their paces at Toryglen Football Centre in Glasgow on Saturday.

Weather permitting, they are due back in action on Saturday with an away day at Brechin City, immediately above them in the table.

And Scott, 26, admits the players are desperate to return to action against Jim Duffy’s team.

He added: “Usually you only get one or two games called off at this stage of the season, but the fact that it’s lasted so long makes it very frustrating.

“But it’s not as if we’re at any more of a disadvantage than anybody else, as all the other league games have been getting called off.

“The players are desperate to return to action, and although Brechin will be a tough game if it goes ahead, we want to play.

“It is never easy at Glebe Park, but we have had a good second quarter of the season and hopefully that will carry on in the third quarter.

“I’m also looking for more goals from myself. I was quite happy with how I did getting goals during the second quarter, so hopefully I can keep that up.”