Published: Tuesday, 19th August, 2008 10:30
The second half stars
By Alan Findlay
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Berwick Rangers 1 Dumbarton 2
Dumbarton in action
Pic by: Tommy Hughes
SONS grabbed three welcome points at Shielfield on Saturday to kickstart the push for promotion.
Goals from Gordon Lennon and Fergus Tiernan gave Jim Chapman’s team a deserved victory in a game which could have turned out so differently for the injury-ravaged Sons team.
With Andy Geggan ruled out through suspension and an injury list of epic proportions, the gaffer once more had to shuffle his pack.
Iain Chisholm got the nod ahead of popular local lad Alan Gourlay as the lone striker, and the former Albion Rovers man should have scored in the first minute.
Ross Clark played him in, but with only Berwick keeper Ryan McGurk to beat, his shot trickled harmlessly wide.
Former Son John Dillon then took on and beat temporary full-back Lennon, to whip in a great cross which was dealt with superbly by Mick O’Byrne with Berwick striker Jim Lister waiting to pounce.
On 12 minutes, Sons suffered another injury blow when striker Derek Carcary had to be replaced by David Gray meaning more overtime for physio John Kelly.
Keeper David McEwan had to be lively to deny Stuart Callaghan with a fine save before Ross Clark’s netbound shot was turned away by McGurk.
The game was a dour midfield struggle at this point, with both teams unable to put their own stamp on proceedings, though Sons shaded chances created.
But after Tiernan tested McGurk, Berwick were gifted the opening goal.
Darren Gribben capitalised on a mix-up between Gordon Lennon and McEwan to tap the ball home from six yards and once again Sons were facing an uphill battle.
Two minutes later, the Monk redeemed himself as he threw his body across the face of the goal to stop a fierce Lister drive.
Whatever was put in the half-time tea cups in the away dressing room certainly had an effect, as Dumbarton started the second period impressively.
Stevie Murray and Craig Brittain combined well on the left flank to force a free-kick but the delivery into the box by the former Jags man was easily cleared.
O’Byrne was a relieved man on 51 minutes, when the referee chose to flash only a yellow card after the Kaiser had illegally prevented Lister from breaking in on goal.
Sons then had three glorious chances to equalise but Raymond Logan, Chisholm and Gordon all saw their strikes scraped off the line.
Just when it seemed fate was against Dumbarton, the equaliser came on 55 minutes.
Another Murray corner was half-cleared by the Wee Gers defence. Lurking at the edge of the box, captain Lennon let rip a 20-yard screamer which left McGurk helpless and provoked hysteria from the vociferous travelling support.
Chisholm looked to have put Sons in front with a fine conversion of a Logan flick only to be ruled offside by the linesman, but Dumbarton were not to be denied the winning goal.
It came on 61 mins. courtesy of Tiernan. He pounced on a mistake by Berwick defender Peter McMahon to toe-poke into the net.
Berwick had a few chances to equalise, most noticeably through Steven Kiczynski’s 84th minute header.
And John Dillon nearly stole a point right at the death when his delicate chip struck the top of the bar.
But it was a deserved win for an injury hit Sons side who are now in the play-off places, only two points behind surprise leaders Annan Athletic.
And with two home games coming up, the unbeaten start to the season is building some momentum.
Dumbarton: McEwan, Lennon, O’Byrne, Gordon, Brittain : Tiernan, Clark, Logan, Carcary (Gray 12 mins), Murray (Brannon 87 mins), Chisholm. Subs not used: Gourlay, Eallace, McGeown.
Berwick Rangers: McGurk, Guy, McMahon (Grant 75), Ewart, Kiczynski, Bonar, Mclaren, Callaghan (Anderson 85), Lister, Gribben (Howatt, 65), Dillon. Subs not used: McLean, Lunn.
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