Published: Tuesday, 31st July, 2007 13:56
SAINTS MARCH IN
By GARE CLYDE
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Dumbarton 0 St Mirren 3
DUMBARTON boss Gerry McCabe�s choice to play friendlies against two premier league and a first division side has ended in unsatisfying scorelines.
But Gerry is convinced that the experience gained by his players, particularly the teens and twenties, will prove of value to them and the club in the long term.
Against St Mirren Gerry fielded a side of some regulars, some trialists, and some younger guys from the youth teams.
Following a 0-0 draw against Kilmarnock, Sons sunk to a 5-1 defeat from first division side Dunfermline Athletic. Then on Thursday evening they had to suffer a 3-0 defeat from St Mirren.
If the Sons, minus some injured and prospective first team players but including two trialists, Darren Campbell and Darren Docherty, yearned for learning, they received unpaid-for tuition in sharp shooting from Saints in the first half of the contest.
The Paisley men sauntered into a 1-0 lead in the 18th minute through Stewart Kean. Although clearly offside, he finished clinically.
The Buddies were on bulldozing duty and they increased their bounty on the scoreline to two - and this time Kean was carefully onside.
Sons conceded a third goal before the interval when keeper Peter Shaw parried a strong shot from Kean, a keen executioner, and Marc Corcoran completed the simple business of the loose ball tap in.
The second period heralded six substitutes from both teams and the match became more even. Either side, equal in possession and play, could have scored, but neither did.
Sons best bid came in the later stages when sub Paul McQuilken came close to giving Saints keeper Mark Howard a back bending exercise.
Keeper Peter Shaw came off early in the half, to be replaced by trialist Anton Nugent, who played well.
Dumbarton: Shaw; Yule, Russell, O�Byrne, Craig, Docherty (trialist), Darren Campbell (trialist), Canning, Coyne, Tiernan, Robert Campbell. Subs (all used): McNaught, Hamilton, McQuilken, McLaughlin, keeper Nugent.
St Mirren: Howard; Barron, Reid, Brittain, Trialist, Potter, O�Donnell, Brady, Kean, Burke, Corcoran. Subs: McKay, McGinn, McAusland, Docherty, Smith.
Referee: Stephen McLean.
Attendance: 709.
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