Its been a roller coaster. Season 2012/13 started with Dumbarton strong favourites for relegation. Pre season had not gone well with playoff stars Craig Dargo and Tony Wallace leaving and combative (hardman) midfielder Kevin Nicol picking up an injury that would leave him out until October. People sniggered at the signings Brechin City flop Jim Lister,junior(!) striker Garry Fleming and of course an inexperienced manager with a poor record of defending set pieces. It was no wonder we looked destined to the drop. Many predictors had us down before a ball was even kicked. It was going to be a long season.The season started as predicted by many a 4-1 humbling by Airdrie (only promoted due to the Rangers saga). The following weeks results didn't do much to help the cause,three successive 3-0 defeats to Cowden,Patrick Thistle and Morton. Then an improvement a 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Dunfermline. Then something incredible happened a goal!,an own goal but a goal nonetheless!. Sons first goal in 360 hours of football. Lee Kilday the unlucky man. Then something even more incredible happened 2 GOALS!! IN THE SAME GAME. Surely this was it now,Dumbartons first victory of the season. Nope 89th and 96th minute goals from James Keatings rescued a point for Hamilton. This was tragic,small children left the ground in tears,so did most grown men. Next up was a visit to Livingston which ended in a spineless 5-0 defeat,(as if this wasn't bad enough debutant Chris Turner also missed a penalty!). A week later and Dumbarton had another away game in the east at Raith and injury time Bryan Prunty equaliser sealed a well deserved 2-2 draw. A week later and sons lost 2-0 at home to Falkirk. Adamson was dismissed having failed to win a game in the first division.And so the Jack Ross era began,and it began in devastating circumstances 2-0 up at home to Airdrie and seemingly cruising the diamonds pulled it back to 2-2. Steven McDougalls first sons goal put the home side 3-2 up and it stayed that way until the 90th minute. Disaster. We lost 3-4. Next up was a tricky away trip to Central park to face Cowdenbeath,Mark Gilhaney scored the only goal to win the game,despite Bryan Prunty having a penalty saved. It had taken until November but we finally had a win!. Unfortunately what goes up must come down and Dumbarton did with a bump....and then a thump. A 1-5 home defeat to Morton then a 4-0 loss to Dunfermline meant that newly appointed rookie boss Ian Murray had it all to prove.It took until December the 29th for the ex hibs captains first game but it was certainly worth waiting for. Seven goals,2 sendings off,a scored penalty at the third attempt and most importantly another victory!. Incredibly the new year started with a 3-0 thumping of top of the league Morton at Cappielow,a 0-1 defeat to Dunfermline failed to dampen the feeling of possible survival. Three wins in a row over Partick,Airdrie and Hamilton had the club off the bottom of the table. A 3-4 home defeat to Livingston followed ,however nothing could prepare the 1170 people for what they would witness the next week at Almondvale(or whatever its called now the Broadwood motor franchise company stadium or something). Four Minutes on the clock, Paul Mcginn swung in a ball from the right which was overhead bicycled in by Prunty. A 3-2 victory was marred by a horrific injury to number 1 Jamie Ewings who was stretchered off. Without their first choice keeper sons then went 5 games without a win slipping back into relegation trouble. The arrival into form of Paul McGinn seemed to spark sons back into life,an excellent comeback win from 3-1 down to Dunfermline,was followed by victories over Raith and Hamilton. With Jim Lister bagging a memorable hat-trick against the Starks park club. Fatigue began to kick in and 3 poor defeats saw the club drop back into the relegation trouble. A result against Scottish cup semi finalists Falkirk was badly needed. A Garry Fleming brace and a wonderful strike from Mark Gilhaney gave sons a well deserved victory. This began a 4 game unbeaten run which guaranteed safety. A comfortable 4-1 victory over Airdrie was followed up with a win over Cowden at Central Park. Scott Agnew scoring a memorable 40 yard lob. Finally the season ended with a 0-0 draw with champions Patrick Thistle.It had been a season that began with many monumental downs and ended with a huge number of memorable highs. One thing is for sure, the 2012/13 Dumbarton Football Club squad along with manager Ian Murray,assistant Jack Ross and coach Craig Gordon will go down as the best since the club moved to the Bet Butler stadium. Next season will be a challenge but a challenge which Scotland's best part time club will be ready and waiting to accomplish.
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April 2020
CategoriesAuthorI'm Fraser, 22, Sons fan who is now living the dream of reporting on Dumbarton for the Lennox Herald. |