It was at the semi-final stage of the Glasgow Charity Cup that Dumbarton also tasted defeat, this time to rivals Vale of Leven.

The semi finals were played at Boghead where Dumbarton drew with Vale of Leven - the replay took place five days later.

Despite the growing competitive calendar, 22 'friendly' matches were played, including home and away fixtures against Rangers, Queens Park, Vale of Leven and Vale of Leven Wanderers, together with matches against Glasgow Cup holders Cambuslang, and Forfarshire Cup holders, Dundee Harp.

Source:[20] An international trial match was played on 13 March 1886 to consider selection of teams to represent Scotland in the upcoming games in the 1886 British Home Championship.

Subsequently, five Dumbarton players were selected to play, as follows: - Ralph Aitken,[21] Michael Paton,[22] James McAulay[23] and Joe Lindsay[24] earned their first, fifth, seventh and eighth caps respectively against England.