Despite a decent performance Partick Thistle came out comfortable winners against the sons at Firhill. There were changes galore with James Creaney being given his first league start in 2 months,Scott Agnew was rested and as was star man Jim Lister with the Hamilton game in mind. Sons started brightly and could of been ahead after only 3 minutes when a wonderful solo run from Garry Fleming resulted in an equal spectacular Scott Fox save onto the post. A few minutes later Fleming again tested the former Dundee keepers reactions with a low drive which he got down well to hold. Thistle took the lead however against the run of play,slack marking down the sons left allowed Stephen O'Donnell time to cross his ball in was knocked down by Steven Craig to the diminutive Stevie Lawless who hit a shot into the ground and beyond the reach of Stephen Grindlay for a goal that should be called Steven!. Dumbarton had a chance to equalise moments later when Fleming played in Mark Gilhaney but he could do no better than sting the hands of fox. And so that how the score stayed at half time. In the second half Sons again threatened but seemed to lack an end product,first Robbie Winters then Steven Mcdougall forced Fox into some fairly routine saves.Thistle still looked dangerous however and Craig had a what looked like a fair goal disallowed for alleged pushing. These squandered chances were made even more costly when Lawless turned Creaney before hitting a dipping shot over the top of the stranded Grindlay and into the net,Thistle could of added a third moments later, when impressive sub Christie Elliot squared for Kris Doolan but the former Clyde hitman could only smack the ball over. The jags did finally add a third in the 84th minute, Elliot burst free down the left and the former Whitby and Albion Rovers striker squared for Doolan who this time made no mistake from a yard out. The result puts Thistle in pole position for the title and leaves sons 9th still only 2 points behind cowdenbeath going into the Morton game.
Man of the Match: Garry Fleming,won everything in the air and was incredibly unlucky to be on the losing side. One thistle fan even said he was the best player on the pitch on the way out which says a lot. Ref: Iain Brines, another poor display from the alleged SPL official chalked off what looked like a perfectly good thistle goal and failed to show cards for poor tackles by Smith and Bannigan.
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Hello all im back
Unfortuantely ive been a bit busy making another website so i thought that i would make up for it by giving each player in the squad a grade.....here goes a long list Goalkeepers Stephen Grindlay-not been on form for most of the season however did have some decent games at the beggining lost his place following the sending off against Dunfermline C Jamie Ewings- Jaz has now fully established himself as the number one keeper in the squad in my opinion following decent performances against Raith and Cowdenbeath he had a horror show against morton since then however he has been in excellent form and has played a pivotel role in the sides increase in form B+ Defenders Nicky Devlin- Nicky has played well this season however is prone to the odd mistake showed glimpes of his old self under the new manager but has now returned to Motherwell B- James Creaney- Was outstanding last season however D1 may have just proved a step too far D- Ross Forsyth- Has been unable to recapture form of years ago better at defending than Creaney however his short passing is terrible D Andy Graham- Appearance on itv gameshow the chase seemed to do big Andy good since November he has looked fairly solid with him and lithgow now forming a good bond B+ Alan Lithgow-After a poor start the former Clyde defender was back to his best following Alan Adamsons departure and has begun to form a solid bond with Andy Graham B Jamie Lyden- only made one appearence against Albion where he looked shaky now away on loan to clyde E Scott Smith- only arrived a few weeks ago but has already sorted the problem at left-back with some exceptional displays much like his gaffer could well be a future hibs captain A Midfielders Scott Agnew- Another player whos season only really got started following Adamsons departure the former Rangers youth has however not score a free kick yet this season so sorry for that Aggy that costs you a B+ B Garry Fleming- Has been outstanding can play anywhere and has made the step from juniors to D1 look easy probably our best player so far scored his first senior goal against morton in January A* Mark Gilhaney- Season has only started to get going when Gils started playing well scored the goal to get us our first win in D1 since 1996 B+ PJ- lack of first team starts and now on loan at stirling Albion he has the pace however is behind Gilhaney,Mcdougall and Lamont in the pecking order C Mark Lamont- Has looked a shadow of himself since he returned in August signed permanatly for the club last week and celebrate by setting up Chris Turners opener C- Chris Turner- the upturn in form coincededs with Turners arrival has added SPL style quality and passing to the team and has helped replace Kevin Nicol also chipped in with 2 goals both against Hamilton A Strikers Jim Lister- well what can you say a second divison reject who just cant stop scoring has been outstanding this season and with 17 goals to his name and numerous assists will be vital come the end of the season A* Marc McCusker- has only started one game and lead the line well running off Listers flick ons a tidy finish in that game gives a glimpse of what could be to come B Steven McDougall- singled out by many sons fans as a scapegoat got his lack of effort since Ian Murray has came in has looked a diffrent player once minor injuries have gone will play a vital part also one of the most skilfull players ive seen in a sons jersey gets moved up a grade for tearing morton to shreads aswell B+ Bryan Prunty- A player who loves the club and always gives 100% has chipped in with a few goals this season and his commitment and attitude make him a firm favourite A And spare a thought for Pat Walker a player who joined a club at the bottom of the second divison and helped them reach the first divison Pat was released last week without playing a game this season due to a foot injury Best of luck for the future Pat Sons managed to overcome a stubborn East Stirling side to book there place in round 2 of the William Hill Scottish cup.
The scoreline really flattered sons who played poorly throughout the majority of the game.Scott Agnew and Jim Lister had early shots saved before Agnew put a pinpoint cross onto the head of captain Andy Graham who looped his header over the Shire keeper for his first sons goal.It should have been 2 ten minutes later but Bryan Prunty shot wide following an excellent Lister dummy.However the third divison side got an equaliser in the 44th minute David Greenhill cut in from the left wing and curled a wonderful shot beyond Ewings and into the top corner sending the loud shire support wild.Their joy however was short lived just a minute later sons went 2-1 up Garry Flemings perfect cross was headed in by former Alloa striker Lister for his 14th Dumbarton goal.The second half started with more Shire pressure and twice Paul Quinn went close but the ex Albion Rovers striker didnt have his shooting boots on,and this was punished in the 77th minute when Scott Agnew floated in a free kick which powerfully headed down by Alan Lithgow his effort was saved but it fell for Bryan Prunty who had the simplest of tasks o slot the ball into the empty net from half a yard.The intrduction of Stevie Mcdougall sparked the game into life,twice the former Airdrie star jinked through the deffence only to see his shot saved by the shire keeper,his final run forced Hay into a great save to tip the ball behind for corner which was glanced into the head by Alan Lithgow.The scoreline was harsh on East Stirling but credit must go to them and their fans who were excellent throughout however sons will need to improve if they want to get anything against Cowdenbeath next week. Man of the Match-Garry Fleming Ref watch-Craig Charleston tried to make at all about him and annoyed both fans with picky decisions,the standside lino however was superb and called everything correctly so well done sir! 5/10 Next up Cowdenbeath (away) It looks like the new manager will be one of the following
Jack Ross Gary Bollan Ian Murray Scott Severin Stephen Constantine Sons lost a game that they really should have won twice to Airdrie this Saturday.Things started so well the first half was all sons with Alan Lithgow twice having headers cleared off the line and only a great save from Airdries Kenny Arthur denying Bryan Prunty.Sons took the lead 26 minutes in when James Creaneys cross was volleyed in by ex diamond Bryan Prunty for his 5th goal of the season in all competitions a fine Aggy free kick was then brilliantly saved by former Rochdale keeper Arthur before Jim Lister made it 2-0 the ex Alloa frontman steered home a Mark Gilhaney cross which rolled slowly into the bottom corner.At half time new sons manager Jack Ross must have been loving it.Sons came out firing for the second half aswell but poor finishing from Prunty,Gilhaney and Lister meant that sons couldnt extend the lead.Then sons manager Ross made a double sub which changed the game completely taking off the excellent Chris Turner and Bryan Prunty and bringing on wingers Mark lamont and Stevie Mcdougall.On 58 minutes against the run of play Airdrie pulled a goal back when centre half Keiron Stallard poked the ball home from a corner then two minutes later disaster struck Airdrie winger Liam Watt who had been excellent all game smashed home a John Boyle cut back.By this point sons should have been 5-0 up but found themselves level.The diamonds continued the good play but it was sons who scored the next through another ex diamond Steven Mcdougall showed great skill and composure to skin two airdrie deffenders and slot under Arthur from a tight angle 3-2 sons and only 15 minutes to hold on could they do it?.Of course they couldnt on 89 minutes Ross Forsyth put into his own net from a Nathan Blockly pass and two minutes into injury time Blockly scored without the aid of a sons player with a well taken header at the far post to snatch all three points for the diamond.It was a game that i would have felt bad leaving if we had drawn however to loose it was terrible.Poor finishing really cost us all three points.But Credit must go to the Diamonds for not giving up.
Ref Willie Collum 5/10 Man of the Match Chris Turner Next up East Stirling (home) scottish cup In a match that was billed as an early season six pointer sons came out second due to a player linked with sons last summer Archie Campbells hat-trick.The game was determined mainly by a horrific refereeing performance by Bobby Madden who incorrectly gifted the hosts a second half penalty to double their lead and killing the game.Cambell gave Morton the lead 2 minutes before half time when he sprinted past Andy Graham and slotted cooly past the on rushing Grindlay.It was 2-0 shortly after the break when Campbell slotted home a penalty after Andy Graham was wrongly adjudged to have halted David O'Briens run in the box.It was one of those decisons that both sets of fans agreed was wrong but Morton and Madden didnt care.Campell made it 3 when he picked up the ball from James Creaneys short passback and cooly slotted past Grindlay.The ex Rangers striker could of had 4 but he crashed an injury time penalty off the bar following David Grahams jinking run. Man of the Match Bryan Prunty Ref Bobby Madden 2/10 Airdrie got revenge on sons playoff final thumping with an emphatic victory over a lacklustre sons team.The game started slowly with both sides having few chances howver it expoloded into life on the quarter hour,Cammy Mcdonald hoofed the ball up the line straight to John Boyle and the former Auchinlek Talbot hitman made no mistake slotting low past the advancing Grindlay.The second goal was very similar,the sons defence was static as another long ball found Boyle who finished well it was 3-0 just before half time when Martin Mcniff was caught in possession by that man Boyle who rounded keeper Grindlay to complete a half time hat-trick.The sons supporters never gave up on there team (apart from a few sitting behind me who yelled at every player as soon as something went wrong) and put in a much better second half showing which was rewarded when Jim Lister fired the ball in from inside the dee for his 6th sons goal and 2nd of the season,sons pressed and only an excellent peace of heading stopped the score going to 3-2 an Airdrie passback almost lobbed the diamons Kenny Arthur howver he got back well to head over the bar from just on the line.Then came one of the best goaline clearences i have ever seen Mark Gilhaneys header was flying for the top corner only for Michael Harts head to appear and block the ball and Aidries solid deffence was rewared with another goal 2 minutes from time Jamie Bain did well to get the ball and turn Mcniff with ease before passing to Paul Di Giacamo and the former Morton player finishhed with ease.Sons now need to get the defeat out there system and concentrate on this Saturdays game against bottom of the league Cowdenbeath. Man of the match:Mark Gilhaney Referee :John Beaton t Dumbarton face Albion Rovers today having had a week to forget,a 1-0 defeat to QOS was followed up by a 6-0 defeat to junior side Arthurlie capped what was a miserable week. Team news:Jason Marrs trial period has ended and he has not been signed leaving us with a right back problem,Mark Lamont and Kevin Nicol are also out however Ross Forsyth may be able to make his competitve debut. EX sons watch: Many former sons will be on Display with Danny Ferry,Keiran Brannan,Chris Boyle and Mick O'Byrne all plying their trade for the Coatbridge side. Entry is £15 and Sons started off the new season with a 2-1 over divison 2 side Brechin City.Brechin took the lead before half time through a direct run and finish,sons equalised after a great Garry Fleming ran through on goal from midfield and scored,fellow new signing Jim Lister then tapped in against his old club to give us the lead.Andy Graham was impressive in deffence as were Fleming,lister and Mcdougall the trialist was Mark Lamont.The team was: Grindlay,Lyden,Creaney,Graham,Lithgow,Gilhaney,Johnston,Lamont,Prunty,Agnew,Mcdougall Dumbarton play there first pre-season game tomorow (night?) in a closed door friendly against divison 2 Brechin City the location is unknown as with the kick off time however if i find out i will post it here. TEAM NEWS:Garry Fleming,Andy Graham,Phil Johnston and Josh Horne are all expected to make their debuts in what will be a young sons line up. |
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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. |