Young Sons show great spirit against skilful Rangers

Dec 12 2008 by Andy Galloway, Lennox Herald (main ed)

DUMBARTON’S under-19s battled bravely but could not cause a Scottish Youth Cup shock against Rangers at Ibrox on Sunday.

The young Sons were up against it as the Gers took a 2-0 lead through an Archie Campbell double within 20 minutes.

Alan Cook pulled a goal back just after the hour mark, but substitute Isa Bagci clinched victory for the Glasgow giants late on.

A crowd of around 300 watched a Sons side who never gave up, but were eventually undone by far more experienced opposition.

After some early pressure from both teams, Campbell opened the scoring in 13 minutes. He latched on to a defence-splitting pass 25 yards out and ran into the area to finish in some style.

His second came five minutes later when a half clearance landed at his feet just inside the 18-yard box, and from the inside right position, he audaciously chipped it over keeper Chris Calder into the net.

Having survived the onslaught until half time with just a two-goal deficit, Sons came out in the second half with a much better organised midfield which denied Rangers the space they’d had in the first half.

Sons posed their own threats from time to time, and a Kieran Brannan effort went just wide.

On 62 minutes, Daly McSorley was fouled 25 yards from goal and Cook’s well-struck, low free kick evaded everyone on its way into the net.

It was game on again, but unlike the first team against Ross County last week, there was to be no comeback from Dumbarton.

Rangers came back into the game and, with five minutes remaining, Bagci chased a long clearance, showed great pace and slid the ball beyond Calder.

The young Sons earned the praise of watching first team boss Jim Chapman, who said: “We are really proud of the players, who gave us everything against one of the top youth programmes in Scottish football.”

Dumbarton: Calder; McLeary (Richmond 85), Cook, McKenzie, McKillen, Wallace, Russell (Rose 75), McNiff, Brannan, McSorley, Moore. Subs: Adamson, Arnott, Baird.