Published: Tuesday, 2nd September, 2008 10:45
Sons fail to cash in
By Alan Findlay
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Dumbarton 1 East Stirling 1
Stevie Murray in action
Pic by: Alex Craig
DUMBARTON continued their recent poor form with a disappointing draw against the joint bottom side on Saturday.
Supporters were anticipating a positive backlash from the midweek Cup hammering against St Mirren, but left feeling a distinct sense of anti-climax.
Despite dominating the match and creating the majority of chances, the lack of firepower up front is becoming a worry.
Boss Jim Chapman had received welcome news, with Derek Carcary and Liam Cusack both available after injury.
And Carcary almost delivered a dream start. After electrifying wing play, his cross cried out for a gold jersey to convert it, but there were no takers.
Shire created their first chance on 18 minutes when good work by Colin Cramb released Derek Ure whose wayward effort never troubled David McEwan.
On 22 mins, Steven Murray — a livewire all day and the eventual man of the match — floated in a superb cross for Raymond Logan but his weak header was easily saved by stand-in keeper Greig Mitchell.
Sons fans had plenty to shout about on 25 minutes. First, former Dumbarton man Andy Rodgers took to the field to replace the injured Cramb to a chorus of boos, then it was a chorus of cheers celebrating Stevie Murray’s opening goal.
And what a goal it was. A sweeping move involving Andy Geggan, Carcary and Logan, with the latter’s deft flick prodded home by Murray.
Rodgers tried to hit back immediately, but the defence easily mopped up his effort.
Five minutes from the break, Shire should have equalised, only for David Dunn to miss a total sitter.
Deservedly ahead at half-time, Dumbarton could have closed the match out in the opening 15 minutes of the second period.
Sub Liam Cusack, on for injured Iain Chisholm, got involved in an off-the-ball incident, which resulted in Shire’s Craig Tully seeing red.
From the resultant free-kick Murray almost doubled his account, but Mitchell held on with several players lurking.
Feeling a sense of injustice, four further Firs Park men picked up yellow cards as the match threatened to boil over.
But, in 69 minutes Sons were dealt a severe body blow as Shire drew level.
Sub Mark Mckenzie raced on to a long pass which evaded a static Mick O’Byrne to blast past McEwan into the net off the keeper’s right hand post.
And after two glaring misses by Carcary and Cusack, the game petered out.
With Scotland taking centre stage next Saturday, Dumbarton now have two weeks before the mouthwatering clash at Cliftonhill.
Dumbarton: McEwan, Lennon, O’Byrne, Gordon, Wilson, Geggan (Gray 80), Clark, Logan (Tiernan 47), Murray, Chisholm (Cusack 51), Carcary. Unused subs: Brittain, McGeown.
East Stirling: Mitchell, Hay, Bolochoweckyj, Tully, Richardson, Donaldson, Forrest, Dunn (McKenzie 59), Ure, Cramb (Rodgers 22), Graham (Kelly 73). Unused subs: Nicholls, Newman.
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