Dumbarton 3 v 1 Albion Rovers

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© www.albionrovers.com

 
Jane D. Knox was also there, see her pics at www.sportingviews.co.uk

Attendance : 645

Scorers ~ Dumbarton : McNaught (23), Borris (42), Lennon (46 O.G.). Albion Rovers : Chisholm (32).

Missing suspended frontman Joe Savage and with perhaps one eye on the upcoming cup semi-final in midweek Albion Rovers were decidedly under par when they visited a sunny Dumbarton.

Sons midfielder Craig Winter was first to try his luck when he headed over the Rovers crossbar. Rovers first move of note was made by Scott Friel who crossed to Iain Chisholm who put the ball wide of the target.

A Boyle corner tested the assemble Rovers defence, Jamie Ewings punching partly clear and home fans favourite Craig Brittain heading over seconds later [Picture D]. In 23 minutes Dumbarton took the lead when Ryan Borris slipped the ball to the side for David McNaught to put a low diagonal ball into the net [Picture F, G, H].

9 minutes later Rovers were on level terms when David Craig failed with a challenge on Iain Chisholm which let the 21 year-old in on goal to get past the advancing Grindlay before tapping in from a couple of yards.

In 40 minutes Jamie Ewings was forced to come 10 yards out of his box to welly the ball upfield as Winter threatened [Picture I]. A couple of minutes later Dumbarton were ahead once more, a Boyle cross saw Ewings flap at the ball giving Borris an easy tap-in.

The half ended with a low shot by Friel being picked up by the home 'keeper.

Half-Time

Things got worse for Rovers when within 60 seconds of the restart when Gordon Lennon thumped a low and hard Borris cross high into his own net. In 51 minutes Dumbarton could easily have increased their lead further when unmarked Stephen Dobbie received a through ball with only Ewings to beat. Ewings advanced but not all the way out and the expected chip shot wasn't forthcoming allowing Ewings to get down and pluck the ball from the feet of the 20 year-old striker.

A Friel shot over the bar was followed by a double substitution by Cliftonhill gaffer Jim Chapman with Brian Smith and Patrick Walker replacing Lee Sichi and Andy Sim.

Gordon Lennon  showed some class when out stepping an attacker to clear a dangerous ball. McNaught shooting past and Chaplain launching the ball over the home bar from close-range was followed by Ewings coming a yard out of his box to blast the ball from the feet of Winter [Picture I].

At the opposite end of the pitch a Walker free-kick allowed Chaplain a header which was turned out for what proved to be an unproductive corner. Gordon Lennon once more intervened to dispossess Hamilton [Picture K].

In 68 minutes Jamie Doyle was brought down by Chris Boyle a couple of feet inside the homesters box. Cup quarter-final penalty hero Ciaran Donnelly stepped up to take the spot-kick and struck it low to the 'keepers left which is exactly the way that Grindlay went and the ball rebounded and was eventually cleared.

McNaught drawing the ball wide of the Rovers goal preceded Borris and Boyle attempts coming close. A free-kick from a yard outside the Sons penalty area was struck low and hard by Scott Friel, Grindlay got down in time to stop it crossing the line but it rebounded to Creaney whose shot was this time held by the stopper.

Craig heading the ball past Ewings post from a corner ended the match.

Summary

A very disappointing match for the large Rovers travelling support, a match they'd have drawn but for an own-goal and an unconverted penalty. Now to forget this match and look forward to the semi-final!

Dumbarton : Grindlay, Geggan, Brittain, Canning, Craig, Bagan, Borris, Winter, Dobbie (Hamilton 64), McNaught, Boyle. Subs Not Used : Dillon, McKeever, McCann, Shaw.

Albion Rovers : Ewings, Moffat, McGhee (Creaney 75), Lennon, Donnelly, Friel, Doyle, Chaplain, Sim (Smith 54), Chisholm, Sichi (Walker 54). Subs Not Used : Nicoll, Thompson.

Referee : David Somers

Man of the Match - Iain Chisholm

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