Dumbarton FC are Division Three top scorers

Oct 10 2008 by Andy Galloway, Lennox Herald (main ed)

DUMBARTON became the third division’s top goalscorers on Saturday with this emphatic win over Annan Athletic.

But while they were once again deserved winners, they needed a little help from the opposition in finding the net.

Not one, but two Annan Athletic players, Peter Watson and Stuart Hill, put the ball in their own net, with Paul Keegan and Ross Clark also on target – all in the first half.

Annan scored at the right end in the second half through Alan Inglis’ 30-yard free kick, but the damage had been done long since.

Sons lifted themselves to second place in the league and their goal tally of 17 is one better than nearest scoring rivals Stenhousemuir and Albion Rovers.

However, they are still five points behind the table-topping Warriors, so, as a successful first league quarter ends, an important second one begins.

From an early stage it clearly wasn’t a matter of whether Dumbarton would win, but how convincingly they would triumph.

Paul McLeod had an early chance when the keeper came out to block his effort, but the opener came in only six minutes.

Gordon Lennon sent over a low ball from the right and Watson – his former teammate at Albion Rovers – turned the ball into his own net.

McLeod had another opportunity on 13 minutes, but again the keeper saved after he ran in on goal.

But three goals in an 11-minute spell put the game beyond Annan, starting with Keegan’s goal on 31 minutes.

Derek Carcary’s run down the left ended with a low ball into the box which the striker converted from close range.

Four minutes later Carcary was brought down in the area by keeper Dougie Calder and Clark converted the penalty.

And just short of half time, Carcary again was involved in goal number four, as Hill could only head his cross past his own keeper.

The fans wanted more goals in the second half, and the early signs were promising as Keegan had a shot blocked by a defender.

However, a blow came when Stevie Murray limped off with an injury sustained from a first half challenge.

Annan found the target on 59 minutes with Inglis’ 30-yard free kick which gave keeper Mark McGeown no chance.

Sons continued to threaten but McLeod was also beaten by a defender before Keegan blasted over after a Liam Cusack shot was saved.

Michael O’Byrne headed a corner wide before Cusack made a goal-line clearance to deny the visitors a second consolation.

Dumbarton: McGeown; Lennon, Wilson, O’Byrne, Gordon, Clark, Carcary, Geggan, McLeod, Keegan (Moore 86), Murray (Cusack 54). Subs: Logan, Canning, White.

Booked: O’Byrne (47, foul).

Referee: John McKendrick

Crowd: 574

Rock Star points: 3pts Carcary, 2pts Clark, 1pt Keegan