DUMBARTON breath a sigh of relief

DUMBARTON breathed a sigh of relief when the final whistle went at Ochilview on Saturday with them 2-1 ahead of battling Stenhousemuir.

Facing nine men for two-thirds of the game after two home defenders were red-carded and manager Davie Irons was sent to the stand for dissent, Sons struggled to turn domination into goals.

Soon after the second sending off, centre half Alan Lithgow rose to head home a Mark Gilhaney corner, and just before half-time a Bryan Prunty chip was deflected into his own net by on loan Hamilton Accies full back Michael Devlin.

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DUMBARTON secure a priceless victory...

DUMBARTON secured a priceless victory over second top Arbroath at the Rock on a wet and windy Monday evening in front of a 585 crowd.

Manager Alan Adamson gave first team debuts to two new young on-loan players, striker Ally Graham from Falkirk and midfielder Mark Lamont from St Mirren.

Graham came close with a header before fellow striker Bryan Prunty headed home from close range to open the scoring after 20 minutes. But moments later Arbroath top scorer Stephen Doris broke through to equalise, and a few minutes later the talented but diminutive Josh Falkingham made it two.

There were chances galore and good goalkeeping at both ends in the second period, and with six minutes to go centre half Alan Lithgow rammed home a loose ball in the Arbroath box to level the score at 2-2.

It was a fairy tale ending for the home fans when Pat Walker accepted a Tony Wallace pass and slotted home the winner in the third minute of injury time to take the three points.

Manager Alan Adamson said afterwards: "I thought that we dominated the second half, though Arbroath had more of the chances. This was a game we deserved to get something out of."

• Dumbarton: Grindlay, Nugent, Lithgow, Wallace, Creaney, Gilhaney, Nicoll, Agnew (Borris 88), Lamont, Prunty, Graham (Walker 79). Subs not used: Brannan, Lyden, Ramage.
• Arbroath: Hill, Baxter, Malcolm, Wedderburn, McAnespie, Falkingham (Gibson 79), Kerr, Caddis (Sibanda 75), Sheerin (Brown 90), Swankie, Doris. Subs Not Used: Busch, keeper White.
• Referee: Des Roache.

* Dumbarton’s next match is not until Saturday January 14, when they are at home to Brechin City, kick-off 3pm.

Dumbartons late winner

DUMBARTON clinched victory with a late goal for the third match in a row away to Airdrie United on Saturday.

Some 750 spectators saw a competitive match played on a very cold and wet afternoon, with blustery gale-force winds, at the Excelsior Stadium.

Jimmy Boyle's home side were first to threaten, and they opened the scoring in the 14th minute through the second division's top scorer, Ryan Donnelly.

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Last minute goal ends Dumbarton hopes

A GOAL in the 95th minute cost Dumbarton two points when they hosted Forfar Athletic at the Rock stadium on Saturday afternoon.

But the point was enough to move the home side up to fourth place in the second division.

Alan Adamson's men dominated the first half, with the very strong wind at their backs on a wet and bitterly cold afternoon. They opened the scoring early on with a great goal from Pat Walker (pictured), but were off target with other attempts or saw them saved by on loan Aberdeen keeper Jamie Langfield.

The visitors took charge of most of the second half, although Sons again spurned several chances to add a vital second goal.

They paid the price in the fifth minute of injury time when sub Kevin Motion headed the equaliser past keeper Jamie Ewings. Ref Charlie Richmond added another two minutes, but Sons could not find a winner — and were left to ponder why there was so much injury time.

Manager Alan Adamson said afterwards: "Well, that was an advert for summer football wasn't it? Conditions were dreadful, especially with the wind swirling across the park.

"We didn't make the most of the advantage in the first half, and we missed a number of chances that would have given us a better platform for the second period.”

• Dumbarton: Ewings; Nugent, Lithgow, Kennedy, Creaney; Gilhaney, Wallace, Agnew, Borris (Brannan 83); Prunty, Walker (Winters 75). Subs not used: Ramage, Lyden, keeper Grindlay.
• Forfar Athletic: Langfield; Wilson, I.Campbell, Bishop, Shaughnessy; Mowat, Gibson (Byers 68), Ross, Templeman, R.Campbell (Motion 79), Low (Bolochoweckyj 86). Subs not used: Tulloch, keeper Paterson.
• Ref : Charlie Richmond.

Attendance: 443.

* On Saturday they travel to plan Albion Rovers, managed by ex-Sons player and manager Paul Martin, at Cliftonhill, kick-off 3pm. The Rovers squad includes ex-Sons Chris Boyle, John Gemmell, Scott Chaplain, Ryan McStay, Danny Ferry, Chris Hamilton and Michael O’Byrne.

DUMBARTON grabs a late winner

DUMBARTON grabbed a late winner for a 1-0 home victory over Brechin City at the Rock on Saturday which took them up to fourth place in the second division.

Manager Alan Adamson introduced his latest recruit, 16 year-old Scottish youth international Ryan Finnie — on loan until the end of the season from first division Hamilton Accies — in the right back berth, and the youngster made an impressive debut.

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Gartcairn dominate in cup clash

Gartcairn entertained their visitors from Helensburgh at a soggy and foggy Airdrie Leisure Centre pitch and turned in their best performance of the season.
 
After an even first 15 minutes the home team took control and a quickfire hat-trick by recent signing Connor Parsons set Gartcairn on their way to a comfortable victory. A penalty from Paul Kilfedder and a 20 yard piledriver form David Rankin gave Gartcairn a 5-0 half-time lead.
 
The gallant visitors tried in vain to get back into the game however could not find their way past a resolute Gartcairn defence and goalkeeper. A Paul Kilfedder 20 yard free kick and a late Aidan O'Hare individual effort finished the scoring to give the home team a resounding 7-0 victory and a place in the second round of the Central Region Cup.
 
Full Time: Gartcairn Under 14s 7-0 Helensburgh FC Under 14s

Source: Youth Football Scotland || HelensburghFC