Sorry Stenny are sunk by silky Sons

Published 10 Nov 2009 16:05

AN excellent second-half display at Stenhousemuir brought three goals and three points for a rejuvenated Dumbarton.

Having created almost nothing in the way of attacking football in the first half, the side dominated the second period and deservedly secured victory.

Stevie Murray and Roddy Hunter replaced Alan Cook and Denis McLaughlin from the team who secured a scoreless draw with Brechin City last week.

With the exception of a Scott Chaplain header wide of the target in the first minute and a Mick Dunlop header over the top in the 43rd minute, Dumbarton posed no threat to the Stenhousemuir goal in the opening period.

The home side dominated possession but after weathering a storm in the first 10 minutes, the Dumbarton defence were solid throughout and clear-cut chances were minimal.

In the opening exchanges Ben Gordon had to head a Kevin Motion free-kick clear, while Jan Vojacek easily held shots from Scott Dalziel and Craig Molloy.

A header from Dalziel came closer but dipped just over.

For the remainder of the half, Stenhousemuir dominated possession but couldn't produce a chance until the final minute when Chris McLeod headed a Pat Scullion corner wide.

Some strong words at half time had the desired effect as Dumbarton took the game to the home side and opened the scoring after 49 minutes.

With his back to goal, Hunter was allowed to turn and fire a shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.

Hunter said: "After the first half, I was glad to get a touch of the ball and when the space opened up, I decided to try my luck."

On 64 minutes, Dumbarton doubled their advantage with a goal of real quality.

Some Stevie Murray trickery sent Dunlop clear on the left, his cross was perfect for Hunter, who guided a header towards goal only to be thwarted by a fine McCluskey save.

As the ball broke free, Chaplain was the first to react to prod the ball home. Hunter added: "I don't know how the keeper managed to keep it out.

"The ball was headed for the bottom corner."

As the Warriors tried to get back into the game, they started to shoot from distance but Motion and Kevin Bradley failed to trouble Vojacek.

Dalziel broke clear but Iain Chisholm intervened at the expense of a corner.

Late on, a mix up between Gordon and Vojacek spelt danger but the superb Chris Smith cleared the danger.

In the final minute Dumbarton sealed the victory when Hunter and Derek Carcary set up a chance for Ross O'Donoghue to score with a diving header.

Manager Jim Chapman said: "The guys at the back kept us in the game in the first half. We spoke to the players at half time and asked them to take responsibility and they responded well in the second half.

"They showed the qualities we know the players possess, but there is still more to come."

Dumbarton: Vojacek, O'Donoghue, Smith, Dunlop, Gordon, McStay, Chisholm, Chaplain, (Clark 89), Hunter, Craig, (Carcary 76), Murray, Subs not used: Branan, McNiff, White.

Dumbarton scorers: (Hunter 49, Chaplain 64, O'Donoghue, 90)

Referee: J McKendrick. Crowd: 568.

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