Albion Rovers 2 v 1 Dumbarton

Attendance : 504

Scorers ~ Albion Rovers : Watson (2), Chaplain (5). Dumbarton : Borris (46).

Dumbarton came to Cliftonhill perhaps expecting an easy ride propelling them into 2nd place in the table but instead were sent packing with their tails between their legs by an inspired Albion Rovers performance. Trialist striker Dave McFarlane was perhaps the catalyst and was certainly deeply involved in the major match incidents.

It took just 2 minutes for Rovers to take the lead, Brian Smith's cross was nodded on by McFarlane and rammed home by Peter Watson. Just 3 minutes later they bagged another one when Scott Chaplain received a McFarlane pass and evaded the attention of his marker to coolly slot home.

McFarlane had the ball in the net shortly afterwards but was offside in the process. The visitors seemed rather shell-shocked and the next notable action came in 14 minutes when a long high ball came into the Sons box, Tommy Lennox jumped to head it but didn't quite catch it properly and the attempt was wide of the mark.

Rovers fans hearts skipped a beat when Ryan Borris advanced up the far wing, Jamie Ewings advanced from his box completely missing the ball as the midfielder slipped. The Dumbarton man seemed to pause as regained his feet and the ball was whisked away by a defender before he could react.

Stephen Dobbie drew a low shot wide of the goals before David McNaught found himself in a good position and tried to chip Ewings near the edge of Rovers penalty area, the ball was lifted over the 'keeper but the ball crossed the goal giving away a goal-kick.

A quality Tommy Lennox ball to McFarlane gave the hitman the opportunity to advance up the near wing. A tough challenge dispossessed him of the ball and the seemingly obvious corner was instead adjudged to be a Dumbarton goal-kick.

A high cross into the visitors box by Lennox missed Pat Walker by inches. Dobbie put in a low cross which Borris didn't quite catch properly putting the ball past the post. A powderpuff header by Craig into the arms of Ewings finished the half.

Half-Time

The second half started like the first, this time however it was Dumbarton who came out of the blocks quickly scoring within 60 seconds. Chris Hamilton put in a long cross which gave Borris a relatively easy tap-in to give the visitors hope.

Within 60 seconds of that goal McFarlane again had a "goal" chalked off for offside as he celebrated. In 50 minutes an excellent run by Smith down the near side evading a marker as he went ended with a cross which entered the Dumbarton box and went out the other side.

McNaught almost capitalised when a poor ball saw Lennon scramble and clear at the second attempt. A period of substitutions followed during which one of them, Gemmill lumbered through the centre of the pitch struggling to get to the ball whilst avoiding defenders. He got to the ball but failed to control it and missed the target.

A wildly inaccurate Winter attempt was followed by Scott Chaplain heading the ball inches over after some good lead-up play. Dumbarton were making life tough for Rovers and Ewings had to exit his box once more to head the ball clear as a couple of Dumbarton men were approaching fast.

A long-range Geggan attempt was a few yards wide and with the game in injury time he took a free-kick which entered the Rovers box only to be headed wide by Gentile.

Summary

A storming start to the match by Albion Rovers inspired by trialist Dave McFarlane, although they had a few hairy moments in the second half the fighting spirit which was sadly lacking last week was there in abundance as they held onto all 3 points.

Albion Rovers : Ewings, Watson, Nicoll, Lennon, Donnelly, Bonnar, Lennox (Donachy 70), Chaplain, Trialist (Creaney 77), Walker (Felvus 67), Smith. Subs Not Used : Moffat, Thompson.

Dumbarton : Grindlay, Geggan, Dillon, Canning, Craig, Winter, Borris, Hamilton (Gentle 73), Dobbie (Gemmill 61), McNaught, Boyle. Subs Not Used : Bagan, McKeever, Shaw.

Referee: Craig Charleston

Man of the Match : Dave McFarlane

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