Dumbarton FC given cruel lesson by Stenhousemuir

Aug 29 2008 by Andy Galloway, Lennox Herald (main ed)

DUMBARTON and their fans were given a lesson in how cruel football can be with this defeat to Stenhousemuir.

Sons looked on course for a point, thanks to Paul Keegan’s second half equaliser after Kevin Motion put Stenny ahead in the first half.

The home side were dominant throughout the second half – but an injury-time winner from Andy Shirra punished Dumbarton for a late lapse in concentration.

This was a sore defeat to take, and hopefully not a low that will be repeated over the rest of the season. With Sons already rapidly losing ground and four points below top place, dropping any more points could impair their hopes of being crowned third division champions.

In terms of the performance, this was simply a repeat of most games this season, with Sons much better in the second half than the first.

Neither side created much in the first half, but Stenny found the way to goal with 19 minutes gone.

A cross into the box was not fully dealt with, and Motion volleyed home from the edge of the area.

Sons’ best efforts fell to Raymond Logan and Fergus Tiernan, but neither midfielder could find the target.

But the pendulum swung the other way in the second half, as the home side had much more of the ball.

Soon after the restart, Iain Chisholm’s effort was saved at point blank range, with Michael O’Byrne heading the resultant corner just over.

Then Logan’s header was also saved, with Keegan, only just on as a sub, hitting the post with the rebound.

Stenny responded with a Scott Dalziel effort that was well saved, before Ross Clark’s low drive was well stopped by the keeper.

However, the pressure finally paid off with 19 minutes to go when Keegan slid home Craig Brittain’s low cross.

Dumbarton were now enjoying most of the possession, but a strong Stenny defence reduced clear-cut chances to a minimum.

And as the game entered injury time, the visitors sensed they could still win as Steven Ferguson fired in a shot which McEwan saved.

After two minutes’ injury time, Shirra hit the killer blow when he latched on to a low cross from the right and thundered the ball home.

Stenny’s performance on Saturday proved their worth as potential title contenders, and if Sons want to join them, they’ll have to step up their goals and victories.

One win from four games is not title-chasing form, and neither is one point from a possible six at home.

A win over East Stirling on Saturday will improve both of those statistics. Sons need the points – or they risk playing catch-up from a very early stage.

Dumbarton: McEwan; Lennon, Brittain, O’Byrne, Gordon, Clark, Gray (Gourlay 57), Logan, Chisholm, Tiernan (Keegan 57), Murray. Subs: Geggan, Wilson, McGeown.

Booked: Gordon (42, foul), Logan (69, dissent).

Referee: Brian Colvin

Crowd: 660

Rock Star points: 3pts Clark, 2pts Murray, 1pt Brittain